Ground and Water Source Heat Pumps and Internal Water Loop Heat Pumps
Amendments to Energy Efficiency Regulations
Bulletin - August, 2004
Ground and water source heat pumps and internal water loop heat pumps are prescribed as regulated products under Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations), under which dealers of these products are required to comply with minimum energy performance requirements for equipment imported or shipped inter-provincially for sale or lease in Canada.
In 2003, NRCan undertook a study to assess the economics and technical feasibility of higher minimum energy performance standards. NRCan proposes to amend the Regulations to incorporate more stringent efficiency requirements for Ground and Water Source Heat Pumps and Internal Water Loop Heat Pumps. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide stakeholders with information for meaningful consultation on the content of the regulation before proceeding with pre-publication in the Canada Gazette. NRCan expects to pre-publish the amendment in 2005.
Product Description
Water-loop heat pumps are used to heat and cool commercial buildings. This equipment allows simultaneous heating and cooling of different spaces within a building. Ground source heat pumps use a buried or submerged heat exchanger loop and when installed in this way are called closed loop. These heat pumps can also be used with well or surface water in an open system.
The proposed regulations apply to products that do not exceed 40 kilowatts (135,000 Btu/h) in cooling or heating capacity.
Energy Performance Test Procedure
Test method CAN/CSA-C13256-1-01 "Water-source heat pumps - Testing and rating for performance - Part 1: Water-to-air and brine-to-air heat pumps" has been approved by the CSA Technical Committee on Renewables as the appropriate standard for measuring the performance of these heat pumps. NRCan proposes that the Regulations will be amended to reference this test method. The standard 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 to purchase online at www.csa.ca
Proposed Energy Efficiency Standards
NRCan is proposing that internal water loop heat pumps and ground and water-source heat pumps manufactured on or after the effective date must meet the minimum Coefficient of Performance (COP) for heating and cooling as specified in column 2 of Table 1.
The COP values in Table 1 correspond closely with efficiency ratings in ASHRAE 90.1-2001 and in CAN/CSA-C13256-1-01 Table 10A, except higher efficiency requirements are proposed for closed loop systems. For water-source / internal loop equipment up to 5 kW, the minimum value in ASHRAE 90.1-2001 is somewhat lower.
Table 1: Proposed Minimum Efficiencies for Water-Source Heat Pumps
| Column 1 |
Column 2 |
| Equipment Type |
Minimum Efficiency |
| Water-source / Internal loop (cooling) - less than 40 kW with 30 C entering water |
3.52 COPc |
| Groundwater-source / Open (cooling) - less than 40 kW with 15 C entering water |
4.75 COPc |
| Ground Source / Closed-loop (cooling) - less than 40 kW with 25 C entering water |
4.13 COPc |
| Water-source / Internal loop (heating) - less than 40 kW with 20 C entering water |
4.2 COPh |
| Ground-water source / Open (heating) - less than 40 kW with 10 C entering water |
3.6 COPh |
| Ground Source / Closed-loop (heating) - less than 40 kW with 0 C entering water |
3.3 COPh |
Note: COPc relates to cooling and COPh relates to heating.
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 will provide positive benefits to Canadians.
For closed loop systems, a very high proportion of equipment currently on the market, exceeds the minimum COP values in CAN/CSA-C13256. NRCan did further analysis based on increasing COP for heating and cooling by 0.2 and found higher levels of efficiency are economically justified.
Verification and Labelling 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 water source heat pumps and internal water loop heat pumps come into effect on September 1, 2005.
Comments Invited
This information bulletin is being issued to gather industry comments. If there is sufficient interest, a workshop may be scheduled to discuss this proposal.
Written comments should be sent by September 30, 2004, and be directed to:
Brian Killins
Senior Standards Engineer
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
1 Observatory Crescent
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E4
E-mail
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