HVAC: New chiller requirements

Equipment efficiencies are increased for heat pumps, packaged terminal air conditioners, single package vertical heat pumps, air conditioners, and evaporative condensers.

By CFE Media November 9, 2014

New chiller requirements go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015. ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, Addendum ch details minimum performance requirements of heating and air conditioning equipment, including chillers, boilers, and packaged equipment, which continue to increase from the previous standard.

Equipment efficiencies are increased for heat pumps, packaged terminal air conditioners, single package vertical heat pumps, air conditioners, and evaporative condensers. Additional provisions address commercial refrigeration equipment, improved controls on heat rejection and boiler equipment, requirements for expanded use of energy recovery, small motor efficiencies, and fan power control and credits. Control revision requirements have been added to the standard such as direct digital controls in many applications. Finally, the 2013 edition completes the work that was begun on equipment efficiencies for chillers in the 2010 edition.

While Addendum ch may simplify these requirements for consulting engineers, chiller manufacturers are faced with equipment redesigns to comply by the deadline. Also, designers must pay special attention to which path of compliance will be used when testing chillers with or without variable frequency drives (VFDs).

Learning objectives:

  • The audience will understand the applicable standard: ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, specifically Addendum ch
  • Viewers will learn how HVAC equipment efficiency requirements—with a focus on chillers—are affected by ASHRAE 90.1, Addendum ch
  • The audience will understand how chiller selection will change when the new chiller requirements go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015
  • Viewers will understand the applicable equipment testing and commissioning requirements.

Speakers:

Jason Gerke, PE, LEED AP BD+C, CxA, GRAEF, MilwaukeeJ.

Patrick Banse, PE, LEED AP, Smith Seckman Reid Inc., Houston

Moderator: Jack Smith, Consulting-Specifying Engineer, Pure Power, and CFE Media, LLC


Author Bio: Since its founding in 2010, CFE Media and Technology has provided engineers in manufacturing, commercial and industrial buildings, and manufacturing control systems with the knowledge they need to improve their operational efficiency. CFE delivers the right information at the right time around the world through a variety of platforms.