Mitsubishi Electric has produced a free, CPD-approved guide to the new energy labelling of air conditioning systems following the introduction of the Ecodesign Directive for Energy Related Products at the start of the year.

Mitsubishi Electric has produced a free, CPD-approved guide to the new energy labelling of air conditioning systems following the introduction of the Ecodesign Directive for Energy Related Products (ErP)


The new legislation affects those installing, specifying or using air conditioning units under 12kW and, for the first time, incorporates seasonal energy efficiency rather than simply recording efficiency in heating or cooling mode at a single heating or cooling load.


Previous labelling also failed to reflect the differing climates across Europe when considering performance in heating mode, so the new labelling system introduces performance data at four different measuring points as well as allowing for the different climatic conditions across Europe.


The new seasonal efficiency ratings take much better account of the developments in inverter technology. Non-inverter equipment that currently achieves an A rating will be moved down the scale, to a maximum of a B rating.


"It's important that people realise that products they have previously specified or installed, may now be rated differently," explained Sharon Oliver, marketing communications manager for Mitsubishi Electric's air conditioning division. "The minimum levels will also be increased again in 2014 so we have put together this CPD guide to ensure everyone is aware of the changes."


The Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) will also take into account performance at different heating loads. The SCOP calculation includes a view of the different temperature zones across Europe, with the UK falling into two zones.


The Europe-wide legislation aims to improve the environmental performance of products that use energy or that are related to energy consumption. It covers a broad range of equipment and includes any product that uses, generates, transfers or measures energy, whether electricity, gas or fossil fuel.


In 2005 it was estimated that 3.7 billion products had standby/off modes consuming £6.4 billion in electricity. By 2020 it is estimated that there will be 4.6 billion of these products, so reducing consumption during standby time is an opportunity to reduce EU energy consumption significantly. Previous product energy labels showed only full-load efficiency at a single temperature condition, which is not necessarily a realistic picture of how products perform in operation.


The ErP considers standby/off mode power consumption, seasonal performance and sound power levels for air conditioning units under 12kW. The new labels will show Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings (SEERs) relating to cooling; and Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP), which relates to heating.


The label will also indicate how the product performs in heating mode across three different temperature zones: warm, moderate and cold, and, in addition to the A to G ratings there are now additional A+, A++ and A+++ ratings, related to the system's seasonal performance.


To obtain a free, CPD-accredited guide send an email to air.conditioning@meuk.mee.com