summary of european union condensing unit efficiency proposals

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A summary of EU development of the Condensing Unit efficiency regime

The European Commission brought in the initial Ecodesign Directive in 2005 to establish a framework for improving the environmental performance of energy using products (EuP). The Directive made no direct provision for mandatory requirements for individual products but set out the procedures needed to provide consistent EU wide rules. Individual product groups were to be prioritised and rigorously examined before implementing regulatory measures that had been agreed by interested parties and stakeholders.

The process set out includes a thorough impact assessment detailing market analysis, energy savings potential, costs to industry as well as other key aspects.

The later Directive 2009/125/EC extended coverage to include all energy related products (ErP) the use of which had an impact on energy consumption.

Energy-using products (EUPs), which use, generate, transfer or measure energy (electricity, gas, fossil fuel), such as boilers, computers, televisions, transformers, industrial fans, industrial furnaces etc.

Other energy related products (ERPs) which do not use energy but have an impact on energy and can therefore contribute to saving energy, such as windows, insulation material, shower heads, taps etc.

Priority for regulation was initially investigated and implemented for a range of consumer items, such as domestic whiteware, televisions, lighting and industrial products such as electric motors and street lighting.

In recent years, work on what is termed ‘professional’ refrigeration products and “commercial” refrigerators and freezers has been undertaken. ‘Professional’ products are those that are found in food retail outlets and food preparation areas and used primarily for compliance with hygiene regulations and food storage rather than displaying or merchandising foodstuffs.

‘Commercial’ refrigeration is regarded as refrigeration appliances that are designed for use by commercial, institutional or industrial facilities for the purpose of storing and merchandising perishable materials at specified temperatures.

A preparatory study known as DG ENTR Lot 1 for professional refrigeration products was launched in 2009 which in addition to packaged condensing units included service cabinets, blast cabinets, walk-in cold rooms, industrial process chillers, water dispensers, ice-makers, dessert and beverage machines, minibars and wine storage appliances.

This study was concluded in May 2011 with the publication of a Final Summary Report and various supplementary task reports

Preparatory Study for Ecodesign Requirements of EuPs Lot 1 (Final Report May 2011)

• Summary document (94 pages) • Task 1 Product definition (212 pages). • Task 2 Economic and market analysis (71 pages).

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• Task 3 User behaviour (26 pages). • Task 4 Technical analysis and assessment of Base Cases (200 pages). • Task 5 Technical analysis of improvement options (132 pages). • Task 6 Improvement potential (75 pages). • Task 7 Policy and impact analysis (87 pages). • Refrigeration systems annex Technical annex: Refrigeration systems (49 pages).

An outcome of the preparatory study is the establishment of ‘Base Case’ product characteristics which can be used to assess the life cycle costs, energy costs and environmental impact of a base case product and be used as a reference point for any design improvements.

A Commission Impact Assessment was conducted on Condensing Units beginning in January 2012 and running through to September 2012. This included a consultation questionnaire and submissions from stakeholders to enable an assessment report to be completed for analysis by the European Commission.

A European Commission Working document was produced in June 2013 which detailed efficiency requirements for specific classifications together with the scope of the regulations:

A ‘condensing unit’ is a piece of refrigeration equipment including at least one compressor and one condenser, placed on the EU market as a package, and intended to provide refrigerating energy to one or several remote refrigeration appliances. This includes:

• Condensing units including several compressors (e.g. parallel compressors) • Condensing units of all cooling capacities ranges • Condensing units operating at medium and low temperature • Air-cooled condensing units

This excludes: • Condensing units operating at high temperature intended for air-conditioning (indicatively

corresponding to H1 temperature class, i.e. +10°c), including “split systems” sold with a remote evaporator

• Monoblock units which include the evaporator • Compressor packs or racks which include compressors only, with no condenser • Water-cooled condensing units

'Operating temperature' means the target storage temperature which is intended to be maintained within the appliance(s) served by the condensing unit 'Medium operating temperature' means a refrigerated operating temperature above 0°c, with reference point at +5°c (M1 temperature class) 'Low operating temperature' means a frozen operating temperature below 0°c, with reference point at -18°c (L1 temperature class)

Efficiency requirements for each temperature class have been based around Coefficient of Performance (COP) for lower capacity condensing units and seasonal energy performance ratio (SEPR) for the larger capacity units.

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From 1st July 2015 onwards specific COPs and SEPRs have been proposed in relation to Medium and Low temperature and various rated capacities with the intention that these will be reviewed and made more stringent from 1st July 2018. Table of the proposed efficiency requirements for Europe

Tier 1. From 1st July 2015 onward, the coefficient of performance (COP) and the seasonal energy performance ratio (SEPR) of condensing units shall not fall below the following values:

Operating Temperature Rated Capacity PA Applicable

Ratio Value

Medium 0.2kW < PA < 1kW COP 1.2

1kW < PA < 5kW COP 1.4

5kW < PA < 20kW SEPR 2.25

20kW < PA < 50kW SEPR 2.35 Low 0.1kW < PA < 0.4kW COP 0.75

0.4kW < PA < 2kW COP 0.85



Tier 2. From 1st July 2018 onward, the coefficient of performance (COP) and the seasonal energy performance ratio (SEPR) of condensing units shall not fall below the following values:

Operating Temperature Rated Capacity PA Applicable

Ratio Value

Medium 0.2kW < PA < 1kW COP 1.4

1kW < PA < 5kW COP 1.6


20kW < PA < 50kW SEPR 2.65 Low 0.1kW < PA < 0.4kW COP 0.8

0.4kW < PA < 2kW COP 0.95



Note: Operating temperature means the target storage temperature which is intended to be maintained within

the appliance(s) served by the condensing unit. Medium operating temperature means a refrigerated operating temperature above 0°c, with reference point at +5°c (M1 temperature class as defined in ISO 23953).

Low operating temperature means a frozen operating temperature below 0°c, with reference point at -18°c (L1 temperature class as defined in ISO 23953).

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At this stage it does not appear energy labelling of condensing units will be brought in, due to practicalities, however this most likely will be reviewed at the commencement of the second tier efficiency requirements in 2018. The determination of the efficiency is based on using the European Standard EN 13771-2:2007 Compressors and condensing units for refrigeration. Performance testing and test methods. Condensing units in conjunction with EN 13215:2000 Condensing units for refrigeration. Rating conditions, tolerances and presentation of manufacturer's performance data together with a method of determining the SEPR or Seasonal Energy Performance Ratio. In the meantime a transitional method of determining the SEPR has been posted by the European Commission together with a calculation spreadsheet sheet for helping SME manufacturers to comply with the SEPR calculation requirements. The ‘Operating temperature’ of a condensing unit is directly related to the temperature classes as defined in ISO 23953 Refrigerated display cabinets - Part 2: Classification, requirements and test conditions.

5 February 2014

Rod King

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summary of european union condensing unit efficiency proposals

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