The following is a brief description of the most common standards and methods used by SP for testing and evaluation of products.
General standards and methods
P-marking/SPCR130
The P-mark on a heat pump indicates that the heat pump fulfils the requirements set out in certification rules SPCR 130 . These rules have been developed in conjunction with manufacturers and relevant authorities, and specify required performance levels such as COP, documentation and quality assurance in manufacture. Certification of products entitles the manufacturer to display the P-mark on the certified products. Air-to-air, air-to-water and liquid-to-water heat pumps can be tested for approval for P-marking.
SP method 0033 (Calculation of annual energy savings)
SP 0033 is a method used to calculate the seasonal performance factor of a system and the annual energy savings, in comparison with a house having direct electric heating. The data used in the calculations are based on results from a number of test points derived from EN 14511:2007 performance testing and some additional test points.
The heating demand as calculated in the program varies in accordance with a duration diagram for the particular house. Calculation is performed for the house with loss factors of 109 W/K and 199 W/K at 20 °C indoor temperature, and calculates the estimated net energy savings, excluding energy for domestic electricity and hot water. The houses are postulated as located in areas with average annual temperatures of 8.2 °C, 6.1 °C and 1.3 °C, which correspond to locations in Malmö, Borås and Luleå respectively. The lowest heat pump source temperature in the calculation is assumed to be -15 °C, and there is no heating demand above an outdoor air temperature of +17 °C.
Energy Savings Calculation SP Method 0033 is currently used for air-to-air heat pumps, air-to-water heat pumps and liquid-to-water heat pumps.
EN 14511:2007
SP is accredited to perform tests in accordance with standard EN 14511. A complete test in accordance with this standard tests and measures the performance of the heat pump, derives technical data, and inspects maintenance and installation instructions. The performance test is carried out at a number of defined test points, specified in EN 14511 3.
EN 14511 4 specifies functional testing of a number of different steps/phases, as follows:
- Operating range of the heat pump. The heat pump must be able to start at the highest and lowest specified operating temperatures, without being stopped by its safety devices.
- Potential blocking due to the build-up of frost is investigated. No ice may accumulate on the evaporator, and nor may water or ice drip into or blow off into the room.
- Performance of the defrosting function i checked.
- Correct operation of safety devices is checked by turning off the flow of both high-temperature and low-temperature heat transfer media to the heat exchangers for at least one hour, and then restoring the flows. The heat pump must be able to start up after this test without any damage.
- The heat pump must be capable of restarting after a power failure without any damage.
- Draining of condensate (i.e. from the evaporator) is inspected.
- The rating plates of the heat pump are inspected.
Air conditioners; liquid chiller packs; air-to-air, water-to-air and water-to-water heat pumps can be tested in accordance with the requirements of this standard.
EHPA Testing Regulations and EHPA Quality Label
The EHPA Quality Label scheme operates in Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. SP performs the necessary tests and inspections for the scheme. Testing includes performance, security, sound level and electrical characteristics, together with inspection of technical data, maintenance and installation instructions.
Air-to-water, water-to-water and direct-expansion heat pumps can be tested and inspected for approval under this scheme.
More information on EHPA Quality label for heat pumps can be found here.
prEN 15879-1
This standard describes the testing procedure for direct-expansion ground-coupled heat pumps . The heating coil of the heat pump is assembled in a brine bath held at constant temperature during the test. A complete test includes performance and functional inspections and a review of technical data, maintenance and installation instructions. A function test includes measurement of the operating temperature range, correct operation after a power failure, and correct operation of safety devices in the event of pressure loss in the refrigerant or during failure of heat transfer medium flow.
Direct-expansion heat pumps may be tested in accordance with this method.
CEN TS 14825
This test method is used to test heating or cooling mode operation under part-load conditions. The method specifies the testing procedure, depending on whether the heat pump has constant capacity, variable capacity or incremental capacity control. This is a technical specification associated with EN 14511, and is used for testing the same types of heat pumps: air conditioners, liquid chillers, air-to-air heat pumps, water-to-air heat pumps, and water-to-water heat pumps.
prEN 14825
This standard is used for testing heating or cooling mode operation under part-load conditions. It specifies calculation methods for determining seasonal energy efficiency and seasonal coefficient of performance. It is associated with EN 14511, and is used for the same types of heat pumps: air conditioners, liquid chillers, air-to-air heat pumps, water-to-air heat pumps, and water-to-water heat pumps.
SP Method 2800
SP Method 2008 specifies the method of performance-testing of electrically driven exhaust air heat pumps, determining their thermal power capacity, hot water production capacity and ventilation performance. Air leakage, thermal insulation and standby power requirement are also tested. The data from the test are used to calculate the system seasonal performance factor.
Standarder and methods for tappvarmvattenprovning
LOT 2 Annex IV on Eco-design implementing measures for dedicated water heaters (Domestic hot water)
LOT 2 Annex IV is a method of evaluating the performance of equipment for heating sanitary water in accordance with the Ecodesign Directive, which applies to products powered by electricity or fossil fuels. The test measures performance over a period of one day, with a number of hot water draw-off periods. The time and energy requirements for heating up, energy use, standby power losses and overall efficiency of the equipment are measured and evaluated.
The method is used for heat pumps and sanitary water heaters, powered by electricity, fossil fuels, gas or solar energy.
EN 255-3:1997 (Domestic hot water)
SP is accredited to perform sanitary water heating tests in accordance with EN 255 31. The test involves two draw offs of half the volume of the storage tank, together with a single tapping to determine the maximum quantity of useable hot water and the reference hot water temperature. The heating-up periods, energy use, standby power losses and COP of the heat pump are measured and evaluated. The test also includes verification of product marking on the heat pump.
The method is used only for electrically driven heat pumps.
FprEN 16147 (sound test)
This test method specifies a number of draw-offs over a 24-hour period, measuring and evaluating the heating-up periods, energy use, standby power losses and COP of the heat pump. The maximum quantity of useable hot water and the reference hot water temperature are measured during a single draw-off. The method includes testing of safety functions and inspection of technical data, maintenance and installation instructions.
The method is used only for electrically driven heat pumps.
Sound test
The sound power level is a measure of the contribution of noise to the surroundings caused by the heat pump. The loudness of the noise depends on the size of the room in which the heat pump is installed, its shape and its attenuation (echo). How the noise is perceived depends not only on its level, but also on its characteristics.
SS-EN 12102 (sound test)
SP is accredited for performing sound level tests to SS EN 12102. The method is used to measure the airborne noise to the surroundings from heat pumps, air conditioners, liquid chillers and dehumidifiers when in operation. The method is used for sound power level determination.
ISO 3747:2010 (sound test)
This standard specifies a method for determination of sound power level for heat pumps. Sound power level measurements are performed at specified positions around the sound source and around a reference sound source, from which the sound power level can be calculated.
Standards and methods for field measurements
SP-metod 1721 (field measurement method)
SP Method 1721 is a method for measurement of the capacity and electricity consumption of air-to-air heat pumps in the field. It can be used for heat pumps in both heating and cooling operating modes.
SS 2620
This standard is used when testing the performance of large heat pumps. The standard refers to field testing of heat pumps in field. It is also applicable for delivery testing of heat pumps at the factory or equivalent. The standard relates primarily to electrically driven heat pumps, but where applicable it can also can be used for heat pumps with other drive motors and for refrigeration applications. The standard does not include test on electrical safety, mechanical safety, control equipment and sound power level.