Energy Efficiency Requirements for Air Conditioners, Chillers and Close Control Units Simone Tiele, Assistant Director Appliance Energy Efficiency Section DEWHA AIRAH 21 April 2009
Air Conditioners
Air Conditioners Work is well underway to introduce revised MEPS and a new algorithm and label for air conditioners New energy labelling requirements for single phase non ducted air conditioners of the vapour compression type New MEPS requirements for single phase and three phase air conditioners of the vapour compression type up to a rated cooling capacity of 65kW
Stakeholder Consultation A stakeholder meeting was held in Wollongong in June 2008 which outlined the major proposals Consultation RIS was released in September 2008 (Report 2008/09) closing for comment Nov/Dec 2008 Decision RIS was prepared and recommendations communicated to industry at another stakeholder meeting held at the University of New South Wales February 2009 Revised decision RIS is now going forward to the Ministerial Council on Energy for approval
Consultation RIS Consultation RIS released in September 2008 contained detailed proposals for: Revised cooling MEPS Introduction of heating MEPS Requirements for crankcase and standby Power factor requirements Indication of demand response capability Part load allowance for MEPS New star rating algorithm and energy label 17 stakeholders provided 35 comments
Cooling Recommendations New EER levels to apply from April 2010 New EER levels based on annual EER so would include standby and crankcase energy
Heating Recommendations New COP levels to apply from April 2010 New COP levels based on annual COP levels so would include standby and crankcase energy Minimum COP at rated output for heating condition H1 shall not be less than the equivalent EER value for the same product type and capacity for cooling Applicable to reverse cycle and heating only products Will not drive the heating efficiency but will provide a safety net for many customers
Decision RIS Recommends For Heating and Cooling MEPS: Inclusion of an interim MEPS level for 2010 based on operating EER/COP (which does not include non-operative energy) A delay in the introduction of MEPS based on annual EER/COP until 2011
Standby and Crankcase RIS proposal was to fold any standby or crankcase heater energy consumption into an annual EER requirement RIS proposed annual EER/COP based on an assumed 1000 hours use All models would be required to meet MEPS based on annual EER and COP (operating plus energy used when not operating)
Decision RIS Recommends A delay in the inclusion of non-operative (eg standby & crank case) energy in MEPS requirements to April 2011 Assumed number of hours of operation in cooling mode increased to 2000 hours Non operative energy is still included in the calculation of the energy star rating from 1 April 2010
Power Factor Since early 2006 data on power factor has been collected as part of the registration system (AS/NZS3823.2-2005) No requirements regarding power factor were included in the 2005 standard Extent of the issue difficult to quantify as field measurements on hard wired products are difficult and expensive RIS proposed a minimum power factor of 0.90 for all products
Decision RIS Recommends A delay in the power factor requirements until 2011 Minimum permitted power factor greater than or equal to 0.85
Demand Response Unprecedented level of electricity demand seen earlier this year in some areas was mainly driven by air conditioner usage Entire electricity grid must be designed to meet peak demands, which may only occur on a few days per year A new standard AS4755.3.1 Interaction of Demand Response Enabling Devices and Electrical Products: Operational Instructions and Connections for Air Conditioners published earlier this year The RIS proposed data collection on the absence or presence and level of DR capability at the time of registration The level of DR capability will be indicated on the energy label (where applicable, on a voluntary basis) No changes to these requirements in Revised RIS
Part Load Allowance Until 2008, variable output air conditioners could claim MEPS compliance at any output down to 50% This was made more stringent in AS/NZS3823.2-2005 Amendment 3 (2008) The RIS recommended the removal of this new part load allowance (A3) for variable output models for the April 2010 MEPS At the February 2009 stakeholder meeting two options were put to industry Industry chose Option B
Decision RIS Recommends Option B: Retention of AS/NZS3823.2 Amendment 3 (Part load MEPS allowance as part of MEPS 2010 for all products) Part load allowance would continue beyond 2010 with future review All part load registrations that rely on old 50% MEPS allowance will be grandfathered in April 2009 as per Amendment 3 A new RIS will propose removal of the part load allowance in 2012
New Star Rating Algorithm and Energy Label New label can be used prior to April 2010 (pending publication of the new Part 2) An optional label showing 7 to 10 stars for products that exceed 6 stars is included
Decision RIS Has been approved by the E3 Committee and is currently with the E2WG (then to SCO/MCE) Expect a decision from the MCE at its 10 July meeting Notice will be sent to industry following MCE decision A separate RIS being led by South Australia on behalf of the E3 Committee may bring forward the measured heating and cooling requirements of the April 2010 RIS to 1 October 2009
Transition Arrangements It is expected that registrations (or pre registrations) to the new Standard will be accepted by regulators from the date of publication Registrations to the AS/NZS3823.2:2005 Amendment 3 will be accepted until 30 September 2009 Only registrations to the new standard will be accepted from 1 October 2009 All registrations to previous editions of the standard will be grandfathered from 1 April 2010
Standard Part 2 Standard is now out for public comment Aim for publication around June/July
Communications A retailer communication package will be developed to ensure that new energy labels appear on all new products on display as far as possible by April 2010. Might include: fact sheets for retailers and consumers DL brochures at point of sale Website Letter mailouts to all retailers with information and updates
Next? E3 will prepare a new consultation RIS that will propose: New MEPS levels which are nominally 10% more stringent than 2011 levels Removal of the part load MEPS compliance option Mandatory demand response capability Target introduction date 2011 or 2012 will be canvassed in the RIS
Chillers
Chillers - Scope Air and Water Cooled water chillers with a capacity of 350kw and above that operate with a vapour compression cycle The program does not include water chillers: that are driven by other than electric motors that are air cooled using centrifugal fans that are air cooled with remote condensers that are used for chilling fluids other than water
Chillers - Progress MCE have signed off on the decision RIS to impose MEPS on all Chillers 350kW and above AS/NZS4776 Part 1.1 and Part 1.2 (Rating and Testing) and Part 2 (MEPS Levels) is now published Available from SAI Global (www.sai-global.com) Registration process should be ready mid May Start date is 1 July 2009 Any chiller within the scope of AS/NZ 4776.2:2008 imported into, or manufactured in Australia and New Zealand prior to the respective implementation dates and held in stock, may continue to be sold, however no new importation or manufacture of non-compliant products is allowed on or after the implementation date A new fact sheet is available at www.energyrating.gov.au
Chillers - Registration Registration will require: Registration of each model within the scope of AS/NZ 4776.2:2008 Payment of the registration fee in Australia of $150 per model (listing is free in New Zealand) A supplier/ product registration with any one of the Australian regulators is sufficient for a water chiller within the MEPS program to be legally sold in both Australia and New Zealand Where registration takes place in New Zealand, the water chiller can only be legally sold in Australia, if manufactured in New Zealand, or imported directly into New Zealand, and then exported to Australia For products that are not covered by the certification programs of either ARI or Eurovent a test report in accordance with AS/NZ 4776.1.2:2008 must be provided at the time of registration The preferred method of registration is online at www.energyrating.gov.au
Close Control Units
Close Control Units - Scope A close control unit is defined as a unitary air conditioner designed for high sensible heat ratio applications that has the capability to maintain close control of both temperature and humidity. The air conditioner consists of one or more factorymade assemblies, which include a compressor, direct expansion evaporator, an air-moving device and air-filtering devices, and may include a condenser, humidifier or reheating function The Standard covers equipment utilizing a single or multiple refrigerated direct expansion system designed to control and monitor temperature and humidity and may include supplementary conditioning equipment
Close Control Units - Progress The decision RIS recommending MEPS for Close Control Units in now proceeding through the MCE committee system for decision (about to go to SCO) AS/NZS4965 Part 1 and Part 2 is now published Available from SAI Global (www.sai-global.com) Registration process should be ready mid May Start date is 1 July 2009 A revised fact sheet is available from www.energyrating.gov.au
Close Control Unit - Registration Registration will require Registration of each model within the scope of AS/NZ 4965.2:2008. Payment of the registration fee in Australia of $150 per model (listing is free in New Zealand) A supplier/ product registration with any one of the Australian regulators is sufficient for a close control air conditioner within the MEPS progam to be legally sold in both Australia and New Zealand Where registration takes place in New Zealand, the close control air conditioner can only be legally sold in Australia, if manufactured in New Zealand, or imported directly into New Zealand, and then exported to Australia For products that are not covered by the certification programs of either ARI or Eurovent a test report in accordance with AS/NZ 4965.1:2008 must be provided at the time of registration. The preferred method of registration is online at www.energyrating.gov.au
Thank you