1. Air conditioners and chillers: Updated policy positions December 2016
Why are we here again?
The paper responds to the feedback received on the Consultation RIS that was released in February.
We received some really good feedback through the submissions, which led us to modify some of the proposals.
Where we’ve made changes we wanted to give you a chance to comment on the new proposals and identify any issues.
We’ve also identified some areas where we’d appreciate further input.

2. Adopt SEER standard (note draft amendments)
SEER and Zoned Label
Adopt SEER standard (note draft amendments)
Adopt Zoned Energy Rating Label
Scope unchanged from current
>30kW SEER cooling only
There was strong support for adoption of the SEER standard AS/NZS his will be recommended in the Decision RIS.
Note that for those that are unaware, this standard is currently out for public consultation through Standards Australia - with comments due before Christmas. The main change was to make the operating hours assumed in the standard closer to likely use.
Again there was strong support in favour of adopting the Zoned Label, and we plan recommend it replace the existing Energy Rating Label for air conditioners. Dave will run through the approach to the star rating index and Gemma will update on the Zoned Label later.
However note that based on your feedback, we have amended the proposal to expand the scope of physical labelling based on the SEER. Instead, we are proposing that mandatory energy efficiency rating information (including star ratings) only be made available on the Energy Rating website for products outside the current scope, but up to 30 kW capacity (so this is mainly for ducted and or 3 phrase products). For the SEER air enthalpy tests will be accepted for these products, even if the energy label is applied voluntarily.
For products larger than 30kw, again we have modified the proposal based on your feedback. It is proposed that providing SEER for the cooling cycle will be mandatory with the information made available on the Energy Rating website. Heating cycle SEER rating information based on a physical test report would be able to be provided voluntarily.

3. Portable air conditioners
Labelling
Double ducts as per SEER
Single ducts with raw hours multiplied by power
Reduced MEPS for double ducts – EER/COP 2.5
New MEPS for single ducts – EER/COP 2.5
Supplementary water evaporation features allowed for rating purposes
Portable air conditioners
There was wide support for mandatory energy efficiency labelling of portable air conditioners.
For double duct portables, the Decision RIS will propose a revised, lower MEPS level of 2.5 based on EER. This is based on feedback that 2.6 (based on AER/ACOP) may be insufficient to ensure double ducts are able to return to the market.
For single duct portables, we will also recommend a MEPS of 2.50 based on EER – again lower than the 2.60 based on AEER that was proposed in the Consultation RIS.
Gemma will go into some more of the details for portable air conditioners later.

4. Include >65kw under GEMS/NZ regulations
Air conditioners
Include >65kw under GEMS/NZ regulations
Further input, including on increased MEPS
Retain ‘part load’ compliance
We are seeking more feedback on whether to recommend 65kw plus capacity air conditioners under the program. While there was general support in terms of simplifying the regulations (as MEPS for these products are currently specified in the National Construction Code), at this stage we don’t have information to suggest that including the large capacity air conditioners will deliver benefits through reduced regulatory costs or energy savings.
The other part of this proposal was if the 65kw capacity products are included, increasing the MEPS level from 2.7 to 2.9.
We would therefore appreciate if you could provide further input on this proposal. So the type of thing we’re looking for is information about products being supplied in the replacement market that don’t meet the MEPS levels in the National Construction Code in Australia. For the proposal to increase MEPS, data on price, number of sales and efficiency of products in this section of the market would be really helpful – this would help us to better estimate the costs and benefits.
The proposal for New Zealand to increase their residential cooling MEPS levels is unchanged. [FOR NEW ZEALAND – Almost all submissions supported the proposal. Compared with last time this was proposed, it would have a limited impact with only two models impacted. The change will improve the average efficiency of heating products available in New Zealand, and simplifies the requirements for companies that supply to both Australia and New Zealand].
We are now proposing to retain the ‘part load’ compliance option. We recognise the potential for the proposal to have a poor outcome in terms of energy savings. Some of the evidence we received that simulated the unintended consequences the proposal could have was really useful. It would be great to get similar type of feedback where there are still areas of uncertainty, such as air conditioners in the National Construction Code scope.
There are also a number of technical details with the regulations that we sought feedback on – including some new ones like getting rid of the ‘maximum cooling test’. Dave will also cover off on these.
Finally, you’ll see Attachment F has some of the cost assumptions we’ve used – things like the cost of the Energy Rating label, testing cost assumptions, the number of suppliers etc. If you have any feedback on these, where the costs should be higher or lower, if we’ve missed something, where the assumptions should be adjusted, that would be great.
I’ll now hand over to Gemma to update you on the Zoned Label and some further details for portables.

5. Label and testing requirements

6. Noise declarations
Majority of feedback supported the use of EN 12102:2013, and this will be recommended in the Decision RIS

7. Key star rating algorithm parameters
All SEER results are comparable
10 stars, half star increments
While single duct portables can’t be rated for SEER, their inferior performance will be reflected – ZERO stars, AEC will be larger
Future online consumer calculator capable of re-rating performance for all climate zones

8. Background to SEER algorithm
E3 commissioned a SEER rating tool from Vipac
Undertook product testing and theoretical modelling
Tested the top and tested/modelled the bottom of the scale

9. SEER algorithm highlights and changes
Heating values tend to be significantly lower than cooling.
SEER values sensitive to inoperative power
Inoperative power removed from heating SEER
Annual energy consumption shares annual inoperative power: 60% cooling, 40% heating
Variable speed get better SEERs than fixed
Performing optional tests improves the SEER

10. Relating it to the label…

11. The algorithm

12. Examples (see handout)
Air conditioner type kW
Standby (Pia, W)
EER/COP
TCSPF/HSPF
Star rating
Annual Energy Consumption (kWh)
ERL stars
Hot
Mixed
Cold
Single duct, evaporative condenser, theoretical values
2.5 5
3.11
n/a
1804
675
438
Single duct, no evaporative assistance
2247
840
545
277
1291
2660
Double duct, fixed speed, theoretical worst
2.59
2.37
2.34 1
1254
433
289
2.07
1.94
1.89
114
712
1742
Ducted split unit, fixed speed, large crankcase heater. 15 89
3.1
3.01
2.45
2.33 1½
6302
2349
1609
1 ½
2.53
2.26
2.16
719
3839
9274
Ducted split unit, fixed speed 10
3.26
3.07
3.08
6006
2034
1346
522
3629
9098
Window/wall, fixed speed, with worst registered standby
0.8
3.27
3.12
3.14
999
3366
222
2.51
2.20
2.10 86
619
1559
Non-ducted split, fixed speed, theoretical worst
6.0
3.22
3.37
3.16
3.15
2321
789
523
2.63
2.36
2.24
204
1395
3503
3.66
3.75
3.36
3.30 2
861
301
202
2 ½
2.94
2.49 83
559
1411
Non-ducted split, variable speed, part load complaint, theoretical worst
3.48
4.53
4.25
3.79 3 2½
788
182
3.56
2.97 71
422
1110
Non-ducted split, variable speed, full load complaint, theoretical worst
4.71
4.40
3.91
759
267
177
3.68
3.44
3.06 69
408
1079
Daikin US7, mandatory tests only (rated values shown)
5.95
7.89
7.74
7.09 6 5½
430
147 95 7
Daikin US7, with optional test data (rated values shown)*
9.75
9.42
8.72 8 7½
347
121 77

13. Air conditioner technical issues
Feedback and proposal highlights

14. Remove H2 MEPS requirements
E3 will recommend the removal of separate H2 COP MEPS levels.

15. Multi-split registration
E3 will change the requirements so that systems based on a combination of outdoor units will not have to be separately registered. Only the base outdoor units will require registration

16. Measuring inoperative power
E3 will recommend that for the SEER calculations and MEPS, the measurement of inoperative power will be as per Annex B of AS/NZS
Note that an amendment to the standard will mean that this value can be calculated rather than measured

17. Demonstrating performance for > 30 kW units
E3 acknowledges the challenge of producing test reports for air conditioners >30 kW
Pages of the document outline a range of flexible proposals and approaches for demonstrating performance
Feedback is welcome

18. Maximum cooling test
Subsequent to the release of the RIS, E3 has proposed to remove the requirement to perform a maximum cooling test for all labelled products
Feedback is welcome

19. SEER based MEPS
E3 will recommend that the next review of regulations will properly consider a move to a SEER based MEPS

20. Chillers – existing proposals
Include <350kw air-cooled chillers (seeking more information)
Increased MEPS for air-cooled chillers (seeking more information)
Replace AS/NZS test standard with AHRI standard

21. Chillers – new proposals
Water-cooled chillers – remove MEPS
Air-cooled chillers >700 kW – remove MEPS
Benefit/costs – how’s our assumptions?

22. Chiller registration issues
Chillers are often custom made for a sale
The E3 registration system is not well suited to this

23. Proposals for a new Determination
Based on a compressor
Least efficient configuration to be registered. Non-compliant components to be identified
Maximum MEPS compliant capacity stated (or number of modules for a modular system)
One registration fee would cover all sales based on this compressor
Feedback welcome

24. Current Determination
The registration and legal teams are looking at options for implementing a similar approach
However, we are bound by the legal requirements of the current Determination
Industry will be consulted once a viable solution is devised

25. Small chillers with integrated pumps
Feedback indicated some small chillers contain integrated pumps
E3 is proposing that the power from such pumps be excluded from the COP calculation

26. IPLV rating <350 kW
Indicated difficulties rating for IPLV somewhere less than 350 kW
Seeking input on 2 options
1) IPLV > 150 kW
2) IPLV > 350 kW

27. Chiller scope
Out – Free cooling chillers
Out – Heat recovery chillers
? – Reverse cycle chillers
In – Adiabatic (evaporative) chillers
In – Evaporatively-cooled condenser chillers

28. What next? Submissions due 31 January
Decision RIS to COAG Energy Council/NZ Cabinet
Update GEMS Determination/NZ regulations
Notice period
Next steps for us are following your feedback due 31 January:
- Write Decision RIS
- Decision RIS goes to COAG Energy Council for approval
- Update GEMS Determinations/NZ regulations
Notice period before requirements come into force.
We are still working through the process and the final proposals before recommending a commencement date for any new requirements. Happy for feedback further discussion on this.

29. Thank you!

30. Evaporatively-cooled condenser
“A component which condenses refrigerant vapor by rejecting heat to a water and air mixture mechanically circulated over its heat transfer surface, causing evaporation of the water and an increase in the enthalpy of the air”.
(Clause of AHRI Standard 551/591:2015)

31. Netting with air-cooled condenser

32. Pads with air-cooled condenser

33. Evaporatively-cooled condenser