Energy Rating released a consultation Regulation Impact Statement to examine options to improve energy efficiency and ratings of air conditioners and chillers.
Energy Rating stated on their website that the Statement focuses on “chillers and air conditioners of the vapour compression cycle (refrigerative) of all sizes (including options for single duct unitary products).”
The Statement provides a background on the progression of air conditioners and chillers, as well as a background on energy efficiency rating systems, which leads into analysis of the problems with the current rating requirements.
The Statement focuses on issues with the Australia/New Zealand efficiency rating method, the split requirements between the GEMS and NCC framework, the uneven testing and regulatory requirements with portable air conditioners, the changes to Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), the ‘part-load’ compliance option and energy efficiency labelling, testing requirements, noise and scope.
The Statement provides three options to remedy the issues presented—Option A, Option B1 and Option B2.
Option A–Zoned label adoption, international alignment, streamline requirements and address issues with portable air conditioners–proposes adopting the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which will enable location specific energy efficiency labels to be provided instead of blanket information.
Option B1–Zoned label adoption, international alignment, streamline requirements, address issues with portable air conditioners and MEPS alignment—proposes aligning and simplifying the current MEP levels, this proposal includes having single duct portable air conditioners included in the Equipment Energy Efficiency Program.
Option B2–Option B1 plus SEER rating for all air conditioners (i.e. including units with greater than 30 kW capacity)–proposes rating air conditioners with greater than 30kW under the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio standard instead of the current AEER/ACOP rating method.
Energy Rating are holding public consultation events on the Regulation Impact Statement across the country next week, kicking off in Sydney on Monday, followed by Brisbane on Tuesday, Melbourne on Wednesday, Adelaide on Thursday and Perth on Friday. There will also be a public consultation event in Wellington on February 23.
Energy Rating are also inviting written submissions, which close on March 18.
More information, including the Regulation Impact Statement, can be found here.