Efficiency Guide for chillers and heat pumps

With its regulations, the ECODESIGN directive sets new, challenging standards for more efficient use of energy. This also applies to chillers and heat pumps in the European market.

What is ECODESIGN?

ECODESIGN framework Directive (2009/125/EC)

With its regulations, the ECODESIGN directive sets new, challenging standards for more efficient use of energy. This also applies to chillers and heat pumps in the European market, which must meet seasonal efficiency targets.

The minimum energy efficiency targets to be met will be set and raised in two stages (Tier 1 & Tier 2).

The ECODESIGN directive additionally differentiates according to the type of application in industrial and comfort applications. Comfort application is defined as room cooling for thermal comfort. For comfort applications, a minimum efficiency η s, c (for chillers and heat pumps approx. 400kW) and η s, h (for heat pumps approx. 400 kW) is defined. For industrial applications, a minimum efficiency SEPR (process cold water generator) is defined.

Seasonal Space Cooling Energy Efficiency (ηs,c).

This is now called SEER instead of the previous coefficient of performance.

Seasonal Energy Performance Ratio (SEPR)

For heating, the number is:

Seasonal Space Heating Energy Efficiency (ηs,h).

This value (pronounced: eta) is well-known in the heating industry and can be calculated using established formulas from the values ​​SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for cooling and SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) for heating.

η s, c = (SEER: 2.5) x 100 - 3

• 2.5: Applicable power factor (conversion coefficient), According to the regulation, corresponds to the average efficiency of power generation in EU countries.
• 100: 100% Diligent
• 3: 3% of the efficiency value is deducted for the electrical power and work requirements of the device control system

Example: chillers with a SEER value of 4.1:

(4.1: 2.5) x 100 - 3 = 161 

The higher the number η, the more economical the device. 

In contrast to the known values ​​EER and COP, they reflect the seasonal and not the nominal efficiency, since they take into account the seasonal course of the cooling or heating power requirement (similar to ESEER). 

Due to the different test modalities, a comparison of the efficiency values ​​η s, c and SEPR or a conversion is not possible. 

SCOP (heating)

• Regulation 813/2013
• Heat pumps with a heating capacity <400 kW
• Legally binding since 2015 (Tier 1)
• Legally binding from 01. Sept. 2017 (Tier 2)

SEER (cooling)

• Regulation 2281/2016
• Chiller
• Heat pumps with a heating capacity> 400 kW
• Legally binding from 01. Jan. 2018 (Tier 1)
• Legally binding from 01. Jan. 2021 (Tier 2)

SEPR (process cooling)

• Regulation 2281/2016
• Process cold water generator with water outlet between +2 and +12 ° C
• Legally binding from 01. Jan. 2018 (Tier 1)
• Legally binding from 01. Jan. 2021 (Tier 2)

Valuation basis

• Chillers, just cool
• Reversible chillers / heat pumps + multifunctional heat pumps
• Process chillers

What are the implications for our industry? 

ECODESIGN is not a voluntary certification, but will be part of the requirement for CE markings and must therefore be observed when placing it on the market in the European Union. Less efficient appliances may no longer be sold. It is a big challenge for our market. Tier 2 will raise the efficiency targets even higher, especially with regard to SEER and SEPR.

Market overview of current devices according to SEER 12/7

A comparison of chillers (all listed manufacturers of the Eurovent certification program) with efficiency targets according to guideline 2281 (Tiers 1 + 2) shows that approx. 70-80% of the chillers currently on the market do not comply with the ECODESIGN guideline.

The challenge of (rule) conformity

The ECODESIGN specifications are based on the new regulations 813/2013 and 2281/2016, which define the values ​​η s, c , η s, h and SEPR. Of great importance here is the partial load range. These values ​​can only be costly to calculate and measure.

Investing in research and development costs a lot of time and money to ensure product conformity and to provide realistic measurements during measurements.

The strictest condition refers to the SEER at a water inlet / outlet temperature of 12/7 ° C. The guideline 2281/2016 defines both comfort and process applications here. Thus, the same device can be used for both cases, provided that it agrees with the comfort requirements (SEER). The energy efficiency of process applications is indicated by the SEPR value.

Comfort applications:

SEER Index; This can refer to different water temperatures: 12/7 ° C or 23/18 ° C. As chillers at

Process applications

refer to the SEPR (low temperature -25 ° C / mid-temperature -8 ° C / high temperature + 7 ° C), which is only allowed for process applications. Due to the different test modalities, a comparison of the efficiency values ​​η s, c and SEPR or a conversion is not possible. 

The same product can serve a variety of applications. Nevertheless, the focus of Econdition is on the BlueBox product range reaching the most stringent conditions of the SEER at 12/7 ° C. 

Any machine that meets the minimum efficiency at 12/7 ° C can also be used for other operating limits (such as 15/10 ° C). 

Although SEER compliance is recognized at 23/18 ° C, there is clear evidence that the 12/7 ° C recommendation is sought by both the EU Commission and the market leaders of chiller manufacturers. 

This approach will become the benchmark and thus drive the really efficient products. Eurovent will also certify SEER / SCOP values, so these values ​​will continue to grow in importance. 

What happens to nonconforming products?

NONKONFORME products can continue to be sold outside the EU, wherever the CE mark is not required. 

Source:

• ECONDITION GmbH
• Swegon Germany GmbH