MEPS Requirements

The objective of the Testing Standard is to prescribe the method of testing liquid chilling packages using the vapour compression cycle to determine the capacity, power and efficiency of equipment under a specific set of conditions.

It is not the intent of this Standard to provide for testing in-field installations, where steady state and uniform conditions are difficult to achieve and provisions for measurements are not made.

MEPS Requirements

The objectives of the MEPS Standard is to:

  • Establish minimum energy performance standards for the full load and part load performance of liquid chilling packages using the vapour compression cycle.
  • Define minimum documentation requirements for registration of liquid chilling packages that are not certified by either AHRI or Eurovent.

When rated and testing in accordance with AS/NZS 4776, Parts 1.1 and 1.2, the efficiency levels shall be not lower than those defined in Table 1. Future proposed efficiency levels are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 1

MINIMUM ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (MEPS)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR LIQUID CHILLING PACKAGES

Capacity (kWR) Minimum COP Minimum IPLV
Air Cooled Water Cooled Air Cooled Water Cooled
< 350 N/A N/A N/A N/A
350 – 499 2.70 5.00 3.70 5.50
500 – 699 2.70 5.10 3.70 6.00
700 – 999 2.70 5.50 4.10 6.20
1000 – 1499 2.70 5.80 4.10 6.50
> 1500 2.70 6.00 4.10 6.50
NOTE: Above capacities of 499, 699, 999 and 1499 cover all decimal values up to the next whole number. For liquid chilling packages operating under non-standard rating conditions as define in Part 1.1, the MEPS COP and IPLV levels are adjusted in accordance with Appendix E.

 

TABLE 2

PROPOSED FUTURE MEPS LEVELS

Capacity (kWR) Minimum COP Minimum IPLV
Air Cooled Water Cooled Air Cooled Water Cooled
  Path A Path B Path A Path B Path A Path B Path A Path B
< 350 2.70 N/A 4.50 4.40 3.70 N/A 5.5 5.9
350 – 499 2.70 N/A 5.00 5.00 3.70 N/A 5.7 6.7
500 – 699 2.70 N/A 5.10 5.10 3.75 N/A 6.0 7.8
700 – 999 2.70 N/A 5.50 5.50 4.10 N/A 6.2 7.8
1000 – 1499 2.70 N/A 6.00 6.00 4.10 N/A 6.5 8.8
> 1500 2.70 N/A 6.20 6.20 4.10 N/A 6.5 8.8
NOTE:

 

  1. Path A is intended for applications where significant operating time is expected at full load and design ambient conditions. On the other hand, Path B is an alternative set of efficiency levels for water-cooled liquid chilling packages intended for applications where significant time is expected at part load. All Path B liquid chilling packages are required to be equipped with demand limiting controls. Compliance with the Standard can be achieved by either meeting the requirements of Path A or Path B. However, both full load and IPLV levels must be met to fulfil the requirements of Path A or Path B.
  2. Above capacities of 499, 699, 999 and 1499 cover all decimal values up to the next whole number.

 

Registration Requirements and Process

Products certified by AHRI or Eurovent

In the case of liquid chilling packages using vapour compression cycles that are listed on the AHRI website or the Eurovent website, suppliers shall register each model using the form (in accordance with Appendix A) provided on the www.energyrating.gov.au website.

Products not certified by AHRI or Eurovent

a)     Products from a range part of which is certified by AHRI or Eurovent. In the case of liquid chilling packages from a range that includes products listed on the AHRI website or the Eurovent website but that are themselves outside of the scope of these programs owing to their capacity range or power supply frequency, suppliers shall register each model using the form (in accordance with Appendix B) provided on the www.energyrating.gov.au website. Products that qualify under this category shall have the same generic model number as the certified products in the range and shall also be manufactured at the same facility as the certified products in the range.

b)    Products from a range none of which is certified by AHRI or Eurovent. In the case of liquid chilling packages other than those specified in Clauses 6.2.1 and 6.2.2 (a), suppliers shall register each model using the form (in accordance with Appendix C) provided on the www.energyrating.gov.au website. For such products, a test report prepared in accordance with AS/NZS 4776.1.1 and AS/NZS 4776.1.2 shall be provided. A sample of such a test report is provided in Section C6.

NOTE: For registration, contact the relevant state regulatory authority.

This letter offering some clarification on the registration requirements for rental chillers, from the Chair of the Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee, was distributed to Commercial Building Chiller stakeholders in August 2009.