# How much does a VFD on a 10 HP jet dyeing machine pump save?

Canonical: https://senseible.earth/answers/jet-machine-pump-vfd-10hp-saving

About 0.83 kW per pump, 15% of a throttled 10 HP circulation pump drawing 5.5 kW, in BEE's Surat report: 34,860 kWh a year across five jet machines running round the clock. Cost Rs 1.62 lakh, saving Rs 1.95 lakh at Rs 5.60 a kWh, payback about 10 months (2010).

## The pumps in the report

- 150 kg jet machines dyeing at 130 C, each with a 7.5 kW (10 HP) pump rated 50 m3 an hour at 25 m head.
- Flow set by a throttling valve, 24 hours a day, 350 days a year.
- Measured in three units: 664, 855 and 635 kWh a day for sets of 5, 6 and 5 pumps, about 5.3 to 5.9 kW a pump.
- The audits found about 40% of pumps in the cluster throttled or moving more liquor than needed.

## The arithmetic

- 5.5 kW x 15% = 0.83 kW a pump; 4.15 kW for five.
- 4.15 kW x 24 hours x 350 days = 34,860 kWh x Rs 5.60 = Rs 1.95 lakh.
- Cost: Rs 0.27 lakh a drive with panel and cabling, Rs 1.37 lakh for five, plus Rs 0.25 lakh fitting: Rs 1.62 lakh.
- Payback 0.83 years; one day of downtime.

## 15% is an assumption, so test it

The report assumes the cut rather than measuring it. By the cube law it quotes, 15% less power needs only about 5% less pump speed. Log kW on one pump, fit one drive, and run a trial batch at the lower speed to check fabric movement and shade before you buy the rest.

## The CO2 figure

34,860 kWh x 0.675 = 23.5 t of CO2 a year on today's grid. The report's 30 t used an older factor.

## Five pumps, one year

- Saved: 5 x 0.83 kW = 4.15 kW
- 4.15 kW x 24 h x 350 days = 34,860 kWh
- 34,860 x Rs 5.60 = Rs 1.95 lakh; payback 1.62 / 1.95 = 0.83 years
- CO2: 34,860 x 0.675 = 23.5 t

Grid at CEA's FY 2025-26 factor, an estimate.

## What Senseible does here

Senseible reads electricity bills into monthly kWh and CO2, each linked to its bill, so about 2,900 kWh a month less shows against last year. For a quick figure, the free electricity bill calculator turns kWh saved into CO2.

- [Free carbon calculators](https://senseible.earth/calculators)
- [VFD savings on pumps and fans](https://senseible.earth/answers/vfd-pump-fan-energy-co2-savings)
- [Surat processing house fuel per metre](https://senseible.earth/answers/surat-processing-house-fuel-per-metre)
- [Surat processing units: buyer carbon data](https://senseible.earth/answers/surat-textile-processing-units-buyer-carbon-data)
- [Thermopac pump VFD](https://senseible.earth/answers/thermopac-pump-vfd-electricity-saving)

Sources: [BEE, Detailed project report: VFD for jet machine pump (10 HP), Surat textile cluster (2010, SAMEEEKSHA)](https://sameeeksha.org/pdf/dpr/surat_VFD.pdf), [CEA, CO2 Baseline Database for the Indian Power Sector, version 22.0 (FY 2025-26 grid factor)](https://cea.nic.in/cdm-co2-baseline-view?mappingId=234&lang=en)

Last reviewed 2026-11-01. Report figures are from a BEE SME programme project report; costs and paybacks are at the report year's prices. Check today's fuel and power prices and a current quote before you rely on the payback.