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Large Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps - Revisions to Minimum Efficiency Levels
Bulletin - August 2004
Air conditioners and heat pumps of various types are prescribed as regulated products under Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations). The Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) proposes to amend the Regulations under which dealers would be required to comply with more stringent minimum energy performance standards for large cooling equipment imported or shipped interprovincially for sale or lease in Canada.
In 2003, NRCan undertook a study to assess the economics and technical feasibility of higher minimum efficiency levels for large air conditioners, heat pumps, and condensing units that are greater than 19 kw (65,000 Btu/h) in cooling capacity. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide stakeholders with information for meaningful consultation on the proposed amendment to the Regulations before proceeding with pre-publication in the Canada Gazette. NRCan expects to pre-publish the amendment in 2005.
NRCan's proposed levels are consistent with efficiency levels in ASHRAE 90.1-2001.
Product Description
This proposed amendment to the Regulations applies to factory-assembled commercial and industrial unitary air conditioners, heat pumps, and air-conditioning condensing units ranging in capacity from 19 kilowatts (65,000 Btu/h) to 73 kilowatts (250,000 Btu/h).
In Canada, over 17,000 large units were shipped in 2001. About 90% were unitary air cooled equipment.
The number of packaged air conditioners greater than 73 kilowatts (250,000 Btu/h) has increased significantly. NRCan's study estimates that about 8% of shipments are "very large" equipment.
Energy Performance Test Procedure
The test method for evaluating the energy performance of large air conditioners and heat pumps is CSA-C746-98. Within the standard, equipment is categorized by American Refrigeration Institute (ARI) type.
The scope of CSA C746-98 is for air conditioning equipment between 19 and 73 kilowatts. The test method has recently been reaffirmed by the Technical Committee on Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). CSA C746-98 is available in French and English from:
Canadian Standards Association
5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100
Mississauga, ON L4W 5N6
Tel.: 1 800 463-6727
In Toronto, call (416) 747-4000
Web site: http://csa.ca
or can be purchased online at www.csa.ca
Proposed Energy Efficiency Standards
NRCan is proposing that large air conditioners, heat pumps, and condensing units manufactured on or after the effective date must meet the minimum Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and Integrated Part-Load Value (IPLV) for cooling and Coefficient of Performance (COP) for heating as listed in Columns 4, 5, 6, and 7 of Table 1.
Table 1:
Minimum Efficiency levels proposed for large AC, heat pumps, and condensing units
Product
Class ARI type classi-
fication |
Product Description |
Cooling Capacity Range kW (1000 Btu/h) |
Cooling Minimum Efficiency EER |
Cooling Minimum Efficiency IPLV |
Heating Minimum Efficiency COP at 8.3C |
Heating Minimum Efficiency COP at -8.3C |
| SP-A, RC-A, RCU-A-C, SPY-A, RCY-A, RCU-A-CB, RCUY-A-CB |
air conditioner, air cooled |
19-40 (65-135) |
10.3 |
10.6 |
|
|
| SP-A, RC-A, RCU-A-CB, RCUY-A-CB |
air conditioner, air cooled |
40-73 (135-250) |
9.7 |
9.9 |
|
|
| SP-E, SP-W, RC-E, RC-W, SPY-E, SPY-W, RCY-E, RCY-W, RCU-E-C, RCU-W-C |
air conditioner, water & evaporatively cooled |
19-40 (65-135) |
11.5 |
10.6 |
|
|
| SP-E, SP-W, RC-E, RC-W, SPY-E, SPY-W, RCY-E, RCY-W, RCU-E-CB, RCU-W-CB, RCUY-E-CB, RCUY-W-CB |
air conditioner, water & evaporatively cooled |
40-73 (135-250) |
11.0 |
10.3 |
|
|
| HSP-A, HRC-A-C, HRCU-A-C, HRC-A-CB, HRCU-A-CB |
heat pump |
19-40 (65-135) |
10.1 |
10.4 |
3.2 |
3.1 |
| HSP-A, HRCU-A-CB |
heat pump |
40-73 (135-250) |
9.3 |
9.5 |
3.1 |
2.0 |
| RCU-A |
condensing unit, air cooled |
40-73 (135-250) |
10.1 |
11.2 |
|
|
| RCU-E, RCU-W |
condensing unit, water or evap cooled |
40-73 (135-250) |
13.1 |
13.1 |
|
|
Very Large Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
NRCan is proposing that equipment over 73 kW (250,000 Btu/h) will be regulated for efficiency at a later date. The proposed efficiency levels are presented in Table 2.
Table 2:
Proposed Minimum Efficiency requirements for "Very Large" Equipment (greater than 73 kW (250,000 Btu/h))
| Product Class ARI type classification |
Product Description |
Cooling Minimum Efficiency EER |
Cooling Minimum Efficiency IPLV |
| SP-A, SPY-A, RC-A, RCY-A, RCU-A-C, RCU-A-CB, RCUY-A-CB |
Air Conditioners - air cooled |
9.5 |
9.7 |
| HSP-A, HRC-A-CB, HRC-A-C, HRCU-A-CB, HRCU-A-C |
Heat Pumps - air cooled |
9.0 |
9.2 |
Economic Analysis
NRCan uses a benefit-cost analysis to determine the economic attractiveness of improving the energy efficiency of equipment. The improved efficiency required by these changes to the EE Regulations for large and very large equipment is expected to provide positive benefits to Canadians.
Verification and Labeling Requirements
Equipment must carry a verification mark indicating that the energy performance has been verified. The verification mark is the mark of a certification organization that has an energy performance verification program for this product. The certification organization must be accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. EnerGuide labels are not required.
Effective Dates
NRCan is proposing that these energy efficiency standards for large air conditioning equipment come into effect on September 1, 2005.
For equipment greater than 73 kW (250,000 Btu/h), the new standards would be included in an amendment to the EE Regulations in 2006 or 2007.
Comments Invited
This bulletin is being issued to gather industry comments. If there is sufficient interest, a workshop may be scheduled to discuss this proposal.
Written comments are requested by September 30, 2004, and should be directed to:
Brian Killins
Senior Standards Engineer
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
1 Observatory Crescent, Building 1, 2nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0E4
By e-mail
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