Assessing Residential Air Conditioners / Heat Pumps Energy Performance in CanadaAHRI / HRAI Unitary Regulatory Committee – January 14, 2021

Purpose

Explore an approach for update to Canadian regulations for single package and split system air conditioners/heat pumps in the context of upcoming changes in US in 2023

Provide an overview of laboratory findings on residential heat pump performance ratings using Canada’s

current test standard (aligned with US DOE Appendix M) and

a new load based test standard under development (CSA EXP-07)

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Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations reference Canadian Standards

Association (CSA) C656 test standard

Comparable to AHRI 240 test standard (US DOE Appendix M)

Minimum Energy Performance standards recognize Canadian climate (Zone V)

Applies to both single stage package and split system air conditioners/heat pumps

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Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations

Traditional test procedures for heat pumps focus on single stage unit types

Single stage units are less suited to Canadian operation given broad range of

ambient temperature conditions, especially for heating cycle

Variable capacity systems help improve energy performance

New test procedures are in development to better assess overall performance of

heat pumps

Not yet accredited; so not yet ready for incorporation into a Canadian regulatory

approach

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Test Standard Approaches

NRCan’s projection of Region V* in Canada

- Current test standard is for Region IV

- A conversion factor is used to

determine the rating for Region V

- Region V projected into Canada based

on heating load hours being between

2500 and 3000.

- Represents 80%+ of Canada’s

population

*based on US AHRI map

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US Department of Energy test standard will move to a new M1 test procedure as of

January 1, 2023

Includes new minimum energy performance standards (MEPs)

US MEPs reported for single Region IV climate zone

A Canadian updated regulatory approach could follow US test standards (M1) in

short term

Will also need to consider Canadian conditions

Testing to include low temperature conditions (-15 degrees C)

Determination of Minimum Energy Performance Standard standards (MEPs) for region V

Beyond minimum regulatory requirements, incentive programs will need results

reflective of field performance (load based EXP-07).

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Test Standards – A Changing Landscape

Manufacturer equipment development is underway to prepare for US DOE M1

application in 2023

Canada’s approach to regulatory updates is not defined by legislated timelines for

start and end

Typical time to develop and publish revisions to Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations

in final form is normally about two years;

Includes consultation, market studies and cost benefit analysis, publication of draft

regulation (CGI), formal comment period and final publication (CGII)

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Timing Considerations

Proposed Path Forward Regulatory

Consider aligning with the US Department of Energy M1 test standard as of

January 1, 2023, and make mandatory the optional the -15 degC test point in M1

standard

Require new minimum energy performance standards (MEPs) to be introduced as

of January 1, 2023 for Zone V to reflect Canadian climate

Voluntary Qualified Product Listing

Continue work on a load-based test standard for use in a voluntary qualified

product listing

Manufacturers can voluntarily use the test standard to test products starting in 2023

(target)

Envision the test standard to be used as the basis for incentive programs

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Anticipated Regulatory Timeline

• In force - New

regulatory

requirements for

single package and

split system central air

conditions/heat pumps

• Stakeholder

Consultation

Process

• Regulatory

Development

Process

• Final Regulation

(next

amendment)

2021

2021-2022

2022

January 2023

2023 onwards

Continue laboratory and field study work on load-based test procedure (in parallel)

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• Implementation

of regulatory

provisions

Anticipated Voluntary Qualified Product Listing Timeline –Load Based Test Standard for AC/HP’s

• Promotion of listing with Canadian government levels, utilities

• Potential use in Canadian programs

• Draft Express

Standard EXP-07

Stakeholder Comment

Period with Canadian

Standards Association

(ends December 15,

2020)

• Express Standard EXP-07 is finalized by Canadian Standards Association (CSA)

• Development of a qualified product listing based on EXP-07 load based test standard

• Manufacturers continue to test products voluntarily to EXP-07 standard to be added to listing

Fall 2020

Federal/provincial/municipal government and utility use of product listingNRCan involved in EXP-07

development/validation

Voluntary manufacturer testing of equipment to load-based test standard

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Ongoing Work with Respect to Test Procedures

Laboratory Testing

Comparison of manufacturer rated performance with Canadian climate laboratory testing

Extensive support for laboratory testing – participated in testing of 19 units at UL laboratory, with 10 units funded by Canada

Field Testing

Collect field data for residential cold climate heat pumps in different climate regions of Canada

Field testing projects across the country launching in 2021 to test EXP-07

Collaborative efforts with provinces, utilities, industry

Resources

NRCan’s Air Source Heat Pump Sizing and Selection Guide – September 2020

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Sample NRCan Laboratory Results

1.4

1.7

1.9

2.1

3.0

New Rating SCOPh based on EXP-07

SCOP Region V = 2.5

SCOP Region IV = 2.9

Convert HSPF to SCOP

Performance data reported by manufacturer

Note: The above laboratory testing

results demonstrate a lower

performance than manufacturer rated

performance in cold regions.

With EXP-07, equipment performance

varies by climate region.

Note: The above results are

manufacturer rated performance and

converted to the metric used in EXP-07

test procedure (SCOP for heating),

using unit conversion.

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Comparison of manufacturer rated resultsCompares the manufacturer rated performance of two similar units – Unit A vs. Unit B

Using existing test standards (AHRI 210/240 = CSA C656)

Unit B leads overall due to better cooling performance

Heating Efficiency (HSPF) – Units rank the same

Cooling efficiency (SEER) - Unit B ranks best

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Note: Higher values indicate better performance for both SEER and HSPF

Sample UL Laboratory Results (continued…)Same units are compared

Using the load based test standard (EXP-07)

Unit A leads overall

Heating Efficiency (HSPF) – Unit A ranks best

Cooling efficiency (SEER) - Unit A ranks best

Heating Efficiency Cooling Efficiency

Capacity(C656)HSPF

(EXP07)HSPF

(C656)SEER

(EXP07)SEER

Unit A 1 Ton 12.0 9.9 20.0 14.9

Unit B 1 Ton 12.0 5.5 25.0 9.7

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Note: Higher values indicate better performance for both SEER and HSPF

New ASHP Sizing and Selection Guide

Delivered as four components:

1. ASHP Sizing and Selection Guide

2. ASHP Sizing and Selection 1-page Summary Worksheet

3. ASHP Sizing and Selection Spreadsheet Tool

4. ASHP Addendum of Worked Examples

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Laureen Chung, P.Eng.

Manager, HVAC Standards Development

Homes and Communities Division

Office of Energy Efficiency

laureen.chung@canada.ca

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© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources, 2021