Energy labelling of air to air heat pumps

In July of 1998 a proposal for a methodology for energy labelling of small sized air to air heat pumps was presented to the EC. This proposal was prepared by TNO-MEP, in co-operation with BSRIA (UK), CETIAT (F) and DTI (Dk) under the EC SAVE programme. An energy label gives information to the public as to the energy efficiency of a certain appliance in relation to the average energy efficiency of similar appliances. An energy label is not an energy efficiency standard - which prohibits the trade in inefficient appliances (such as present in countries outside the EC). On the energy labels already existing in the EC, the efficiency is expressed by means ofa lettering system (class A:efficient to class G: inefficient). The proposed energy labelling methodology covers in fact both air to air heat pumps up to a heating capacity of 14 kW and (reversible and cooling only) air conditioners up to a cooling capacity of 12 kW. The proposed methodology first groups the appliances into product categories, and then compares the energy efficiency of a specific appliance to the market average efficiency for that product category to arrive at the appropriate energy efficiency class for the appliance. To define efficiency, COP and EER values at full load have been used. All underlying data (capacities and energy consumption) are based on European standards EN 255 an EN 814. The proposal furthermore recommends to evaluate the efficiency for inverter driven units at part load, and to draw up a test standard for measurements at part load. The proposal was prepared in co-operation with EUROVENT, the European Committee of Air Handling and Air Refrigerating Equipment manufacturers.