Department of Energy Air-Conditioner/Heat Pump Test Procedure Update.
Department of Energy Air-Conditioner/Heat Pump Test
Procedure Update.
(1457 K)
Dougherty, B. P.
Heat Pumps in Cold Climates, Third (3rd) International
Conference. Proceedings. Caneta Research, Inc. August
11-12, 1997, Nova Scotia, Canada, Caneta Research, Inc.,
Ontario, Canada, 493-508 pp, 1997.
Keywords:
heat pumps; air conditioner; test procedures; Department
of Energy; ratings; seasonal performance; test methods;
building technolgoy
Abstract:
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) test
procedure that covers residential air conditioners and
heat pumps is being revised in a two-step process.
First, the test procedure is being updated, reorganized,
and made more complete. However, the vast majority of
the technical content is preserved, the use of U.S.
customary (i.e., inch-pound) units is maintained, and
modifications that would necessitate adjustments to the
U.S. minimum efficiency standards are bing avoided. The
second step is to convert the test procedure to a metric
format while maximizing compatibility with comparable
standards of the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO). Also, modifications passed over
in prior revisions because they tended to shift the
seasonal performance descriptors, SEER and HSPF, while
not greatly impacting the relative rankings among units
will receive greater consideration. If needed, adoption
of the metric test procedure will be timed to coincide
with a planned revision of the minimum efficiency
standards.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899