Nordsyn Study On Air To Water Heat Pumps In Humid Nordic Climate

The study presented in this report has been performed for Nordsyn sponsored by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The aim of this study was to analyse if the information given on the energy labels of air-to-water heat pumps give consumers in Nordic countries sufficient information on energy performance. When comparing results from field measurements to declared values, it shows the declared values are usually better than the field data, especially in countries with humid climate. There could be several reasons for this deviation as non-optimal installations, bypass of control systems, old field data etc. The suspicion that the deviation is due to that the standard tests do not take humidity sufficiently into account could not be proved nor fully dismissed. Recommendations are given on how this could be further investigated, including field measurements in Nordic countries.

This study was performed for Nordsyn sponsored by Nordic Council of Ministers. The aim was to analyse if the energy labels of air-to-air heat pumps give consumers in Nordic countries sufficient information on energy performance, since declared performance was suspected to be higher than in reality. Due to very few field measurements available, this suspicion could not be confirmed nor rejected. It was found that many heat pumps are declared for lower capacities compared to their intended use in the Nordic countries, to obtain a higher SCOP value on the energy label. Market surveillance tests show that it has become rarer that heat pumps defrost during the laboratory tests. Altogether the study shows that the current energy label does not give clear guidance to the consumer. Recommendations for field measurements as well as suggestions for standard and regulation developments are given.

This study was performed for Nordsyn sponsored by Nordic Council of Ministers. The aim was to analyse if the energy labels of air-to-air heat pumps give consumers in Nordic countries sufficient information on energy performance, since declared performance was suspected to be higher than in reality. Due to very few field measurements available, this suspicion could not be confirmed nor rejected. It was found that many heat pumps are declared for lower capacities compared to their intended use in the Nordic countries, to obtain a higher SCOP value on the energy label. Market surveillance tests show that it has become rarer that heat pumps defrost during the laboratory tests. Altogether the study shows that the current energy label does not give clear guidance to the consumer. Recommendations for field measurements as well as suggestions for standard and regulation developments are given.

The project Strategic Nordic Products – Heat pumps, includes an overview of legislation, national schemes and actions taken to promote energy efficient heat pumps, and makes recommendations on further actions and possible cooperation to be carried out by Nordic authorities. The project is part of Nordsyn under the Nordic Prime Ministers' overall green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” - read more at www.norden.org/greengrowth.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2020-544/ The objectives of the study are to investigate three aspects concerning heat pumps in the context of ecodesign and energy labelling; potential synergies in testing for more than one climate zone, reduced incentives for low capacity declarations and alternative test methods. A possible alternative to the current test standard is the compensation method, which enables a test that includes the control system of the heat pump. This is closer to real life operation, enables independent market surveillance and provides incentives to develop efficient controls. Experience of using the compensation method for heat pumps for hydronic system are more limited than for air-to-air heat pumps

Nordsyn is part of the Nordic Prime Ministers' overall green growth initiative: “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” - read more at www.norden.org/greengrowth

Air source heat pumps are mainly used for space heating, and have the advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, and comfort. Written by a leading heat pump technology expert, this book summarizes the research and applications of variable volume ratio two-stage vapor compression air source heat pump technology, and its use in cold climate regions. This book can be used for reference by scientific researchers and engineers engaged in research on air source heat pump technology, product development and popularization; and by energy management and policy researchers. It will also be of value to undergraduate and graduate students studying these areas of technology.

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