ACR Journal

October | November 2021 LEGISLATION 28 James Richardson, technical manager at Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK, explains how changes to the Ecodesign Directive earlier this year are having a positive impact for chillers. Legislation that drives innovation Volume 7 No.6 Chillers are enjoying something of a resurgence as technological improvements have increased versatility and enabled the use of a single product for both comfort and process cooling solutions. A further development came in January with the implementation of adjustments to the Energy-related Product (ErP) regulations (Tier 2), which saw the introduction of new eciency levels and separate performance requirements depending on the type of application. The Ecodesign Directive provides rules for improving the environmental performance of products and sets out minimum mandatory requirements for the energy eciency of these products. It aims to help prevent creation of barriers to trade, while improving product quality and environmental protection. Chillers must now be compliant with the requirements specified for their intended use. Minimum performance standards are measured by Seasonal Energy Eciency Ratio (SEER) for comfort cooling, which is then processed and represented by Seasonal Space Cooling Energy Eciency Ratio as a percentage value ( η s,c), and James Richardson Air cooled chiller preparing to be proved in climatic test chamber