BSEE-SEP21-PG12 Samsung_Layout 1 23/08/2021 14:12 Page 12
BSEE
AIR CONDITIONING, COOLING & VENTILATION Transparent testing for VRF units
Andrew Faulkner explains the new Eurovent certification for indoor and outdoor VRF units – and why it creates a more transparent way to compare energy efficiency performance
F
or specifiers and designers, one of the most challenging aspects of selecting the right VRF system is ensuring that they are comparing realistic like- for-like figures for energy
efficiency performance. It can be a complex process to confirm that the performance figures you’re looking at for one piece of kit are measured the same as another and reflect real life product selections.
That’s why independent testing and certification systems are so important for the building services sector. For example, in the air conditioning market, Eurovent is recognised around the world for its Eurovent Certified Performance (ECP) mark. Based on a voluntary approach, the Eurovent certification schemes are open to all manufacturers and distributors.
The mark certifies the performance ratings of air conditioning and refrigeration products according to a range of international standards. The purpose of the ECP mark is to encourage honest competition and to assure customers that equipment on the market is correctly rated. Eurovent verifies the accuracy of ratings claimed by manufacturers through continuous testing of randomly selected production models in independent laboratories.
As a result, no further testing or proof of performance are required. Specifiers can therefore select products with confidence, offering their clients peace of mind. However, it’s important to stay up to date with current standards to ensure you’re making the right comparisons on product performance.
Equipment is being developed and updated continuously by manufacturers who are looking to constantly improve the performance of their equipment. As new standards are introduced, products will be tested against updated requirements. For example, in March 2021 Eurovent introduced new test requirements for VRF systems, based on the standard EN 14511- 3:2018. It was decided that the airflow at standard air condition shall not exceed 275 m3/h/kw for both cassette and ducted VRF indoor units.
One of the significant impacts of the new testing criteria is that the energy efficiencies (EER, SEER, COP and SCOP) between products tested under the new method and those tested under the previous method cannot be directly compared accurately. This is largely because of the new limitation on the indoor air flow rate and the type of indoor unit used.
So when comparing Eurovent data between different models and brands on the market, it is important to check which indoor units have been used to calculate the efficiencies. Any comparison of indoor units must be like-for-like, based on the certification rules they were tested against.
12 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2021
This point applies even to equipment from the same manufacturer. For instance, Samsung’s previous Digital Variable Multi (DVM) VRF cannot be compared with its new model DVM S2 since the newer product is tested against the updated Eurovent requirements.
Eurovent is not the only certification scheme to consider when selecting VRF systems, as there are other evolving requirements to bear in mind. For example, even though the UK is no longer covered by the EU F Gas regulations, the UK government has a legal obligation to phase down F gas use. DEFRA will publish a review of its plans on F gases before the end of December 2022.
With this in mind, low GWP refrigerants should continue to be high on the priority list when specifying systems. This can mean selecting products that use low GWP refrigerants, but there are also systems that use less refrigerant overall. For example, Samsung’s DVM S2 VRF system is designed with a slimmer liquid pipe to reduce the amount of refrigerant it requires by 28% on average. This design can help save costs on the installation and maintenance of refrigerant and piping materials. There is an increasing focus on the long- term energy and carbon performance of buildings, so it’s vital to future-proof HVAC system specifications. Updates to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations are due over the next few years, and they will emphasise seasonal operational efficiency and delivery of healthy indoor environments. Understanding testing regimes and certification for popular systems such as VRF will ensure that you are specifying against transparent standards, and making the best decisions for building owners and occupants in the long-term.
www.samsung.com Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
