If you've been thinking of upgrading your old central air-conditioning system, or installing central air in a house that

has never had it, there's a lot to consider. Every manufacturer today offers a wide range of products, with one suited
to nearly every situation. A few even make systems for houses that won't accommodate conventional ductwork. As
you might expect, the two most important considerations are efficiency and cooling capacity, but there's more to it
than buying the biggest, most efficient system you can afford. In fact, there's quite a bit more.
An Equipment Overview
Central air conditioning is, of necessity, a split system, with some components installed outdoors and others indoors.
The heaviest, noisiest, heat-shedding componentsthe compressor and condenser coilare installed outdoors, while
the evaporator coil is installed indoors, usually in the form of an A-frame in the plenum of a forced-air furnace. In this
case, the furnace's blower moves warm air over the coils and distributes the chilled air. The indoor and outdoor
segments of the system are typically joined by two refrigeration lines and a low-voltage relay cable.
If a home is heated by some means other than forced airbaseboard or radiant floor heat, for examplethe
evaporator coil is typically mounted in a dedicated blower unit, which pushes the cooled air through conventional
ductwork. Most blower units are installed in attics and crawlspaces and are connected to flexible, insulated ductwork,
which is the easiest and least costly to install, especially in retrofit situations.
In houses built without ductwork, and where conventional ductwork would be too costly or too inefficient to install, a
ductless central-air system is now possible. Ductless systems have long been popular in Europe and Asia, where
building methods discourage ductwork, but are relatively new in the United States. The Carrier Corp. is one of several
companies now making ductless systems for the U.S. market.
In these systems, a single outdoor compressor serves several, smaller evaporator coils located indoors, each in its
own box and each with its own blower fan. These components are installed on exterior walls, usually on the upper
half, where much of the heat accumulates. They're finished unobtrusively, but they can be quite large, often
measuring 6 x 18 x 24 in. Condensation lines are routed outside, along with the refrigeration and electrical lines.
Ductless systems can also provide heat, either through resistance coils in the wall units or in heat-pump fashion. The
advantages of ductless air over window air are that ductless systems move the noisiest components outdoors, they
can provide heat, they distribute the air more evenly, and they don't block the better half of a window. Installation
costs vary widely, but ductless systems can be more expensive than ducted systems. It's a sliding scale, with each
home's variablesprimary building material, number of rooms, house size and layoutcoming into play. They're
reliable and efficient, but they're not likely to replace ducted systems in the United States. They're considered
problem solvers, with the problem being fairly rare.
How Conventional Systems Work
All heating and cooling technology grows from the law of thermal dynamics that says when hot and cold spaces are
separated by a medium, the transfer through the medium will always be from hot to cold. Heat follows cold, whether
the medium is human skin, an exterior wall or the metal surface of an evaporator coil. When warm, humid air is blown
across the evaporator coil in your furnace, the heat in the air is drawn to and impinges on the cold metal surface of
the coil's fin tubes. In the process, the moisture in the air condenses on the cold metal and drips into a pan below the
coil, where it's drained off, thus lowering the humidity in the house.
It's a neat tricka double trickbut it requires a repeatable cycle, over and over, every time the system's thermostat
demands it. The evaporator coil needs to be constantly recooled and the heat it absorbs needs to be carried
outdoors. This is accomplished with a liquid/gas refrigerant, which undergoes a pressure-induced state change. An
outdoor compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, heating it to a gas state, then sends it through an adjacent condeser
coil to be cooled and returned back to the evaporator coil. There it picks up household heat and carries it back to the
compressor. When this cycle is repeated often enough, our homes become a lot more comfortable.
Understanding Energy Ratings
Air conditioners have always been prodigious users of electricity, but efficiencies have improved considerably in the
past few years. Part of this improvement was federally mandated in 1990, through the culmination of the National
Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1971. These regulations established minimum efficiency standards for heating and
cooling equipment. As a result, nearly all models manufactured today are more efficient than those made just 10 or
15 years ago.
How are systems rated? Central air conditionersthe condenser unitsare given a Seasonal Energy Efficiency

Rating, or SEER. In simple terms, SEER is calculated by dividing the cooling capacity of a continuously operating air
conditioner by the electrical input required to run it. The value is expressed in numbers. A SEER 10, for example, is
now the lowest number allowed, and any number larger than that is accordingly more efficient and will cost less to
operate. Along with the yellow Energy Guide tags attached to each appliance, these ratings give consumers a
benchmark sense of where their choices fall on the energy-efficiency scale.
Most manufacturers now offer SEER 10, 11, 12 and 13 models, and some offer SEER 14. This gives you five
separate efficiency options, with model numbers usually keyed to the SEER numbers, so they're easy to recognize.
Lennox's Value 12 system, for example, is a SEER 12.
How Better Efficiencies Are Achieved
Like the auto industry in its quest for better mileage, cooling equipment manufacturers have combined some minor
tweaking with some major re-engineering. Because the compressor is the biggest energy user, that's where they
have focused much of their attention. The first step was to improve the internal components of standard, reciprocating
compressors, so that less pressureand therefore, energywas lost to internal leaks. Another step was to increase
the size of the condenser coil. With more fin-tube surface area, the returning refrigerant could be brought to the
compressor with less heat, reducing the compressor's load.
These two steps yielded substantial savings, bringing condensers into federal compliance, but a complete retooling
was needed to achieve significant improvements beyond this level. Part of the answer was a multispeed compressor.
With two or more speeds, the system doesn't have to run full out on days when only mild cooling and
dehumidification are needed. Full-speed use is still available for those really miserable days, but the compressor
doesn't have to run wide open all the time. At low speed, the practical effect is that of a small compressor matched
with an oversize condenser coil. The savings can be substantial and most manufacturers offer multispeed
compressors in their lineups.
At the same time, engineers began testing a radically different kind of compressorthe scroll. Scroll compressors are
so different that they practically defy description. But their mechanical advantage is clear. Because they generate
much less friction, they experience much less wear. The final product is a compressor that is very efficient and lasts
longer. Today, most companies offer some multispeed and some scroll compressors, though a few, like Ruud/Rheem,
have gone to scroll compressors exclusively, as a statement of across-the-line quality. Any way you look at it, today's
condenser units are better than those made just a few years ago.
The Freon Question
As a result of the Montreal Protocol, a conference that grew out of international concern over the ozone-depleting
qualities of CFC chemicals, the EPA is mandating the gradual phaseout of Freon, or R22 refrigerant. The new, nonozone-depleting replacement will be R4-10A. In fact, some manufacturers have switched to R4-10A in some models
already. While this new refrigerant works just as well, it requires pressures up to 50% greater than Freon, so it can't
be used in existing equipment. Interestingly, the higher operating pressure actually improves efficiency slightly. In any
case, there's no practical way to convert existing equipment.
So where does this leave the tens of millions of us with Freon-based, R22 systems? The short answer is that the
Freon phaseout is stretched so far into the future that nearly all of today's air conditioners will have been replaced by
then. The EPA will require a substantial reduction by 2004, and all products containing R22 must stop production by
2010. The production of R22 itself must cease by 2020. For those few R22 units still in service at that time, recycled
R22 will be available, though it will probably cost a small fortune.
Sizing For Capacity And Efficiency
Your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractor will size your equipment to meet the specific needs of
your home. Factored into the equation will be the age of your house, the number and quality of its windows, how well
it's insulated, how many stories it has, its size, and, of course, local energy rates. Contractors use industry sizing
models, such as Model J, but most use them as a reference, modifying the results to accommodate their own years
of experience. A 1500-sq.-ft. ranch-style home, for example, might normally require a 2 1/2-ton air conditioner, but if
it's not well insulated, or if a good many windows have western exposure, or if the trees offer little direct shade, then a
3-ton unit might be more appropriate.
In any case, sizing is critical. If sized too small, the system will struggle, and even freeze over, on the warmest days.
If sized too large, the system will cycle on and off too frequently, greatly reducing its ability to control humidity. It will
also be less efficient. Keep in mind that efficiency ratings are measured at the factory, under conditions that may have

little to do with your house. In any case, sizing is a job best left to seasoned professionals, and it's a good idea to
seek out more than one opinion.
General Installation Costs
What do air conditioners cost, installed? Again, local prices will vary significantly, but in a typical Midwestern town, a
nonunion shop might charge between $1200 and $1700 to replace an old, 3-ton air-conditioner with a new SEER 10
system. That's assuming a 1500-sq. ft. house, 20 years old, with ductwork in place. For a similar home that's new,
with a gas furnace and equivalent air conditioning, the price would be $5000 to $7000, gas and electrical connections
included.
The Price Vs. Efficiency Question
Of course, you'll always pay more for high-efficiency appliances, so the critical question is whether you'll save enough
in the long haul to come out ahead. And that, unfortunately, requires a region-by-region, even a house-by-house,
assessment. You'll need to work closely with your contractor to make an informed decision. Don't assume that high
efficiency always pays. It may from a good-citizenship perspective, but real dollars should drive the rest of the
equation. And don't forget to add the cost of interest on the money gained or lost.
All we can do here is provide some context. If, for example, your electricity costs you a low 6 cents per kilowatt-hour
(kwh), and you live in a reasonably well-insulated home in the northern one-third of the nation, using your air
conditioner 200 to 400 hours per year, a basic SEER 10 system is probably your best choice. There's little chance
that you'd recover the several hundred extra dollars a SEER 11 or SEER 12 system would cost, spread over a 12- to
15-year projected service life. You may hope for longer service, and you'll probably get it, but don't count on it. A
SEER 10 is also a reasonable choice if you plan to move in the next few years.
On the other hand, if you live in Yuma, Ariz., and run your air conditioner 2000 hours per year, then it makes sense to
buy the most efficient model you can afford. The same might be true if you live on the Eastern Seaboard and pay 11
or 12 cents per kwh, or if you live in a house with stone or brick exterior walls, where insulation is simply not feasible.
In these cases, high efficiency really is a good investment.
Prices vary by manufacturer and with local market pressures, but it's probably safe to say that each step up in
efficiency will cost about $200. This may seem a paltry sum, and it is for many people, but when you consider that the
equipment costs for an entire SEER 10 system might run $800 to $900, an increase of $200 to $800 is significant.
Quality And Warranties
Most manufacturers offer two quality levels for each SEER number. What you get in return is a better-made unit that
runs three to six times quieter and lasts longer. A quieter-running unit can be a real plus if youor your neighborsare
particularly annoyed by a loud air conditioner. You'll also get a better warranty: a 10-year compressor warranty
instead of five, a 5-year warranty against leaks in the coils instead of one year. As with all step-up warranties, you're
betting against yourself, which sometimes pays big dividends. If it paid more than about 40% of the time, however,
the manufacturer couldn't afford to offer it.

Sources
ARI Air Conditioning &
Refrigeration Institute
4301 North Fairfax Drive, Ste.
425
Arlington, VA 22203-1627
Lennox Industries Inc.
P.O. Box 110877
Carrollton, TX 75011-0877
Nordyne

P.O. Box 46911

St. Louis, MO 63146-6911
Rheem Manufacturing Co.
P.O. Box 17010
Fort Smith, AR 72917-7010
The Trane Co.
P.O. Box 9010
Tyler, TX 75711-9010
United Technologies Carrier
P.O. Box 4808
Carrier Parkway - A&R Bldg.
Syracuse, NY 13221
York International Corp.
P.O. Box 1592
York, PA 17405-1592

Air Conditioner Maintenance

Whether you have an older air conditioner or a newer, high-efficiency system, maintenance is critical. Older units
need all the help they can get and high-efficiency models won't deliver all that high-dollar efficiency without routine
care. The primary culprit is dirt and debris, which clogs coils and taxes equipment, but even something as simple as
an out-of-level condenser unit can reduce efficiency and burn bearings. Here, more than most places, maintenance
pays. And all it takes is about an hour a season. In most cases, you won't even need to buy tools and materials.
Most of the work you'll be doing will be outdoors, on the condenser unit. To eliminate any chance of an electrical
hazard, begin by opening the unit's electrical disconnect panel and pulling the disconnect block from its slot (Fig. 1).
Most such panels come with a reversible on/off block. Just flip the block over, so that off reads correctly, and return it
to its slot.
In order for the condenser fan to do its job, its louvered panel needs to be fairly open. The tradeoff is that plenty of
leaves and debris get into the housing when the fan's not running. To remove the debris from this compartment, undo
the screws at the top of the unit and tip the panel upward. Then, lift out any leaves, twigs and debris you find in the
coil enclosure (Fig. 2).
To clean the outside of the coil, undo the screws from one of the side panels, or from all three sides, if the design of
your air conditioner makes that more convenient. Then, use a soft-bristle paintbrush to sweep the fin tubes clean (Fig.
3). Always brush vertically, in line with the fins. Because the fan pulls air through these fins, you can expect to find a
blanket of dust and lint clinging to the fins, which can really reduce efficiency.
The condenser coil's aluminum fins are paper thin and very delicate, enough so that you may find several areas
where the fins are smashed together. Virtually anything can damage them. Of course, smashed fins won't remove
much heat, so it's a good idea to straighten them whenever possible. For a minor crush, you can use a toothpick, but

for professional results, nothing beats a fin-tube comb. They're only sold by HVAC suppliers, but they're inexpensive
and will last a lifetime. We paid $11 for a 6-comb set, with each plastic comb sized to fit two fin spacings. Our kit,
called Super Comb Model T-400, covers spacings from eight to 20 fins per inch and was made by Wagner Products
Corp., 5190 N.W. 165 St., Miami, FL 33014. Be sure to match the tool to the spacing. Then carefully insert the teeth
and comb through the damaged area (Fig. 4). You'll be impressed by the result.
After you've reinstalled all the panels, check the condenser unit for level. Condensers are often set on backfilled soil,
which tends to drop like a rock, especially through the first few seasons. If the condenser has settled out of level, the
strain can wear out bearings and reduce efficiency by as much as 10%. Check for level, in both directions (Fig. 5),
and if needed, pry up one end of the support pad and add soil or gravel until the pad is level. Slate shims can also be
used for minor adjustments.
And, finally, one of the most frequent air conditioner maintenance problems is a clogged condensate line. The culprit
is a bacterial slime that grows in condensed water. To keep this line flowing freely, pour a 1:9 mixture of household
bleach and water through the line every month or so during cooling season. Just pull the hose from its A-frame fitting
and flush the line, all the way back to the floor drain (Fig. 6).M.H.

Read more: Central Air Conditioner Reviews and Raitings - Air Conditioning Systems - Popular Mechanics

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FAQ

Air-Conditioner

Air-conditioner FAQ
What is EER?
Energy efficiency ratio (EER) is the ratio between the cooling capacity and the power
input of the Air conditioners. For example, if a 1 TR (3500 W) AC consumes 1000 watts,
then the EER of the Air conditioners is 3.5 W/W. ACs with high EER consume less
power.
What is cooling capacity?
Cooling capacity is the amount of heat energy removed by the Air conditioner from a
space/ product for a given time. It is generally measured in British Thermal Unit (BTU)
per hour (BTU/Hr). In SI units it is measured by KJ / Sec= KW.
What is COP?
Co-efficient of Performance (COP) is similar to EER. This shows the energy efficiency of
the appliance.
Will the star rating increase the initial cost of ACs?
In order to increase the energy efficiency, AC manufacturer needs to change the design
parameters like increasing airflow, surface area of copper tubes and highly efficient
compressor etc. These initiatives lead to increase in the initial cost of the star rated ACs.
However, the life cycle cost (Running cost + initial cost) is substantially lesser than ACs
that without star rating. Purchasing a 5 star AC can minimize your payback period
What is the comparative cost saving amongst different stars rated ACs?

The cost saving between each star rating depends on the equipment running hours and
electricity cost / KW. It is available on energy calculator. Energy calculator has the
provisions for choosing a city and possible running hours.
How do I calculate the energy consumption of 1.5 TR air conditioner in a house?
AC Operation of 8 hours a day, 252 days a year 75% compressor run time considered.
This works out to 1,512 hours of operation per year, as found by BEE through one of
their surveys. Please refer the Energy calculator on this site.
Which Air conditioner is preferable - Window or Split AC?
Both types of ACs offer different features and advantages to the users.
Window AC
Comes in the form of a single box. It is easy to fit on a window or wall frame. This costs
lesser than Split AC, but is slightly noisier than Split AC. Not much scope for aesthetics internally and externally for the building.
Split AC
There are two units - one Indoor and the other Outdoor unit - in the Split AC.
This is slightly costlier than Window AC, silent and quiet operation. Copper tubings,
electrical cable and the drain pipe need to be connected to the Indoor unit and will need
a suitable size hole in the wall. Installation requires more time and additional work,
compared to window AC. Excellent aesthetics internally and externally. The Indoor units
come in a wide choice of colors and designs for the users to choose from.
My bed room doesn't have the window provision; is it possible to use a window
AC?
You can easily make a small opening in the wall and install the AC. Make sure that the
supporting metal brackets, interior angles, etc. are structurally fastened to the building
envelope and are strong enough for the size and weight of the AC unit.
Is a Voltage stabilizer required for an AC?
All Air conditioners perform over a specified voltage range, generally between 5 to 10%
of the rated voltage. Check with the manufacturer's specification for the voltage range in
which the AC can perform without failures. If your locality has a voltage fluctuation
beyond the operating voltage limit, only then use stabilizer. Use a good quality stabilizer,
as it also consumes energy.
Am I required to do new wiring for the AC?
Yes. It is strongly recommended for a trouble-free operation of AC. Ask the installer to
run a separate wiring from your main switch to the AC socket. The neutral wire should
be of same size as the phase wire. This is very important.
Which are the brands available with star rated Air conditioner?
All 38 brands of ACs sold in India market are registered with BEE for star rating. You
can find the BEE labeled Air conditioners list on the BEE website.

Why should I pay higher price for higher star AC?

The labeled ACs are more efficient than non labeled ones. The payback period for the
incrementally higher cost of labeled AC is 1 to 1.5 years. Thus the incremental price can
be recovered in only 1 to 1.5 years in the form of reduced electricity bill. The normal life
of AC is 8 to 10 year, so rest of its life the energy saved by the AC is actually bonus for
the customer.

How Electrostatic Furnace Filters Work

Electrostatic Air Filters clean the air by using static electricity, a safe, naturally occurring phenomenon. An
electrostatic charge is generated by air flowing through a maze of static prone fibers. Airborne particles are attracted
and held by the static charge until released by washing. All Air Commander Electrostatic Air Filters contain an EPA
registered anti-microbial material to inhibit mold and bacteria growth on the air filter surface.

The air you breathe contains many irritants such as pollen, dust,
bacteria, mold spores, pet dander and smoke. Most of these particles are smaller than one micron. Our Electrostatic
Air Filters are an effective and efficient way to reduce the number of these particles in your air. This illustration shows
the typical dust loading pattern of the electrostatic fibers. This unique characteristic improves air flow while providing
maximum filtration.

Energy efficient room air conditioners best available technology

(BAT)
Anette Michel, Eric Bush, Jrg Nipkow, Conrad U. Brunner, Hu Bo
Topten International Services
Abstract
More than 5 million room air conditioners (ACs) are sold per year in Europe, 35
million in China. Most
air conditioners combine heating and cooling, and sales are expected to grow
further. Total annual
electricity consumption by air conditioners in Europe is estimated at more than 40
TWh, in China at
200 TWh. The most efficient ACs are split models with a variable frequency drive
(VFD). Market

shares of variable speed ACs are on the rise both in Europe and in China. They are
more efficient at
part load conditions than fixed speed (on/off) appliances and can keep the
requested room
temperature more constant. In China, the efficiency indicator for variable speed ACs
(SEER / HSPF)
does include part load conditions, while in Europe a part load measurement
standard is actually in
preparation. The implementation of seasonal efficiency indicators, strict minimum
efficiency
requirements and an effective energy label is key for the promotion of high
efficiency air conditioners.
In China, the implementation of MEPS and an energy label for variable speed air
conditioners
triggered a significant increase in market share and efficiency. A Chinese high
efficiency AC was
tested according to four different measurement standards (European current and
future, Chinese and
US). Results show that the best available technology (BAT) on the European market
is comparable to
the one in China. Very high SEER results according to the future European standard
raise the
expectation that several ACs will already reach the A+++ classes of the new energy
label.
Introduction
Room air conditioners transport heat from inside a room with a refrigerant cycle to
the outside. Most
air conditioners consist of a reversible heat pump and can also be used for room
heating instead of
cooling. The most important components of an air conditioner are evaporator and
condenser with fans
plus a compressor.

Four main room air conditioner construction types can be found on the market:
- Split air conditioners consist of an indoor- and an outdoor-unit, which are fixedly
installed and
linked together with the refrigerant line. The condenser and the compressor are
located in the
outdoor unit, not delivering any waste heat indoors. Several indoor units can be
connected to one
outdoor unit resulting in a multi-split air conditioner. Mobile split air conditioners
have a portable
indoor unit containing the compressor, which leads to less efficiency.
- Single ducts consist of one single unit placed freely in the room. The air is expelled
through a
duct, which requires a window to be open. Warm air is drawn into the room, as the
condenser is
cooled with air taken from the room the cooling effect is small and only local.
- Double ducts also consist of one single unit, but have separate ducts for air intake
and exhaust.
Either double ducts are moveable and placed next to a window, or the ducts are
mounted through
the wall.
- Through-the-window air conditioners (also: compact or through-the-wall AC) are
widespread in
the USA, but of no importance in Europe. They are too compact to be efficient and
require an
opening in the insulation.
The efficiency of split air conditioners on American, Asian, Australian and EU
markets has improved
by 3% per year in the past 15 years, while the EER of the three latter (unitary or
compact) types has
virtually remained the same [1]. Split air conditioners are not only by far the most
efficient, but also the

most popular type in Europe as well as in China. Therefore the focus of this paper is
on split air 2
conditioners. The most energy efficient split air conditioners have a variable
frequency drive (VFD)
and a permanent-magnet motor. The VFD allows the air conditioners compressor to
run at part load
and adapt its workload to the temperature change needed. Fixed speed air
conditioners on the other
hand reach a certain temperature by switching from full load operation to off, which
is not very
efficient.
The current EU energy label for air conditioners refers to the Energy Efficiency Ratio
(EER, cooling
function) and Coefficient Of Performance (COP, heating function) to indicate the
energy efficiency of
air conditioners. These indicators are measured at full load operation and do not
account for the
efficiency gains by the variable speed drives ability to work at part load. Seasonal
efficiency
indicators (SEER for cooling, SCOP or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)
for heating) do
consider the different cooling or heating needs during the year and include part load
operation of air
conditioners. Many non-EU countries have been applying seasonal efficiency
indicators, while the EU
is about to introduce them now.
Air conditioner markets in Europe and China: trends, best available
technology (BAT) and energy consumption
Europe
Market trends

Annual air conditioner sales in the EU are expected to grow from 4.9 million units in
2005 to almost 10
million by 2020. At the same time the stock will increase from around 40 million
units to 110 million
installed air conditioners [2].
National markets across the EU differ strongly due to different climate, building
design, legislation and
income. In Southern countries for instance heating with air conditioners is common,
while houses in
Northern countries usually have central heating installed. Across Europe, about 75%
of the sold air
conditioners include a reversible heat pump capable of cooling and heating.
Variable speed (inverter)
air conditioners have also become popular: in 2007 55%-75% of the sales were air
conditioners with a
variable speed drive. Sales shares of both reversible heat pumps and variable speed
air conditioners
are expected to grow further, while split cooling only appliances (without heating
function) are
expected to disappear from the market. Single ducts and double ducts, today
accounting for about
15% of the sales, are expected to become more popular however [2].
Sales data from 5 European countries from 2005 - 2008 (till October) show that
class A air
conditioners by now account for most of the sales (Fig. 1).
Figure 1: Air conditioner sales in 5 EU-countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland,
Great Britain)
2004 October 2008. Source: GfK data in [3].3
This market evolution seems to have been triggered mainly by the introduction of
the energy label for
air conditioners in 2002 [4]. By now high efficiency air conditioners reach Energy
Efficiency Ratio

(EER) values of up to 5.63 [5] - way beyond the class A threshold of 3.2.
Energy efficiency: Best available technology (BAT) and average air conditioners
Split air conditioners with a variable speed drive and a permanent-magnet motor
are the most energy
efficient air conditioners. For the heating mode, some products switch to electrical
resistance heating,
a highly inefficient way of heating. Potentially efficient are products with a reversible
heat pump
instead. Energy efficiency of air conditioners has been indicated by the EER (Energy
Efficiency Ratio)
for the cooling mode, and, if present, by the COP (Coefficient of Performance) for
the heating mode.
These indicators give the ratio of the total cooling or heating output and the energy
consumption.
Topten.eu, an independent database for the most energy efficient products on the
European market
[6] [7], lists six air conditioning models of four different brands with an EER ! 5 as
the European BAT
for split air conditioners with a cooling capacity of 4kW or less, the most efficient
reaching an EER of
5.63. For higher capacity air conditioners, Topten identifies three models with an
EER > 4.1 as the
BAT, while the four most efficient multi-split models reach values above 3.5. The
COP values of most
of these models are slightly higher than the EER values (BAT EER and COP values
see Tab. 1).
Inefficient products on the market have EER of around 2 and COP around 2.4.
Resistance heating
results in a COP of 1.
Table 1: EER (cooling) and COP (heating) of best available products on the European
market
Air conditioner type EER: BAT in EU COP: BAT in EU

Split < 4kW, variable speed 5.63 5.68

Multi split, variable speed 4.97 4.65
Split > 4kW, variable speed 4.52 4.52
Mobile split 3.22 3.67
Data source: www.topten.eu
The total energy consumption depends mainly on the outdoor climate, building type
and age, the
capacity and the type of the appliance and can vary strongly. An efficient split air
conditioner with an
EER of 5.63 and a COP of 5.68 consumes around 800 kWh per year
1
. According to [4] the average
EER of the air conditioner models sold in the EU-27 in 2008 was around 3.23, the
average COP
around 3.4. Such an average air conditioner consumes almost 90% more electricity
than a BAT model
around 1500 kWh per year (Fig. 2).

1
Assumed are 350 hours of operation in cooling, 1400 in heating mode, which is in
line with the ecodesign working documents.
Standby consumption includes thermostat off and crankcase heating. For average
products standby consumption is assumed
to account for 17%, for efficient products for 7% of the total consumption. All
electricity consumption indications are for air
conditioners with a cooling capacity of 2kW and a heating capacity of 2.5 kW.4
Figure 2: Annual energy consumption by split reversible air conditioners
1
. Data source: [5], [4]

and [2].
Increasing total consumption
Total annual electricity consumption by air conditioners in Europe is estimated at 30
TWh in 2005 [8],
in 2010 it will have reached more than 40 TWh. Two thirds of the total consumption
are attributed to
the heating function [2]. By 2020 electricity consumption will increase to around
75 TWh annually
without any measures (business as usual) [8], mainly due to higher market
penetration [2]. The
expected increase of 30 TWh annually corresponds to the production of close to five
750 MW-power
plants.
The planned EU policy measures (minimum requirements and energy label) are
expected to lead to
savings of around 11 TWh annually by 2020 [8] only one third of the expected
increase in electricity
consumption. The saving potential is higher than that: assuming that todays entire
stock was
replaced by BAT appliances would lead to annual electricity savings of more than
12 TWh. The
expected future stock of 110 million units in 2020 [2] holds a saving potential of
around 31 TWh per
year.
China
Market trends
China is the largest air conditioner manufacturing country of the world. 81 million
air conditioners have
been produced in China in 2009. Due to the urbanization process and the fast
economical

development the Chinese domestic air conditioner market started to boom

increasingly after the year
2000 till today. In 2009, sales reached 35 million annually [9]. They are expected to
keep increasing in
the next few years. The Chinese government has implemented a series of policy
incentives: an old to
new program, a high efficient air conditioner subsidy program and a home
appliances going to the
rural market program. These programs additionally stimulate the sales and
contribute to the
dissemination of air conditioners.
The Chinese market is dominated by split air conditioners. The sales share of wall
split air
conditioners keeps increasing since 2006. In 2010, sales share of wall split air
conditioners reached
85% [10]. Topten China found that the cooling capacity of 5000W can be recognized
as the line to 5
distinguish the wall and free standing air conditioners. Free standing air
conditioners have higher
cooling capacities, while however they are less efficient than wall models.
Figures 3 and 4: Split air conditioners, indoor units: wall and free standing type
Although China is a huge country combining different climates and building types,
87% of all air
conditioner models on the market include a heating function (more than 62% with a
heat pump, 25%
function with electrical resistance heating) [11]. Cooling only air conditioners only
account for a small
portion of market share in tropical areas. Variable speed air conditioners have
become more and
more popular in the last two years. They have obvious advantages regarding
comfort and energy

efficiency. The market share of variable speed air conditioners has increased from
2% in 2006 to
more than 20% in 2010 (24.45% in wall split and 20.57% in free standing ACs) [10].
This significant
market evolution mainly happened in 2009. It was triggered by the implementation
of the minimum
efficiency requirements [11] and the labeling program for variable speed air
conditioners [13], which
caused the big manufacturers to invest more in promoting variable speed air
conditioners. The
Chinese government dedicates to investing in the research and development of
converter and
variable frequency drive (VFD) techniques. The latest national promotion
categories of energy
conservation techniques [14] listed the converter and VFD techniques as high
priority. The market
share of variable speed air conditioners is expected to grow to 50% in the next 5
years [9]. Most fixed
speed air conditioners on the Chinese market still use R22 as refrigerant, which is
being phased out
in Europe due to its ozone depletion potential since 2000. The non-ozone-depleting
R410A, which is
the dominating refrigerant in Europe, is also most common in Chinese variable
speed air conditioners.
Increasing energy efficiency and total energy consumption
The average energy efficiency of air conditioners has improved in recent years.
Tables 2 and 3 show
the average efficiency improvement from 2008 to 2009 [9]. Different measurement
and calculation
methods are applied for fixed speed and variable speed air conditioners: the
efficiency of fixed speed
air conditioners is indicated as EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio (full load)), while the
efficiency of

variable speed air conditioners is indicated by the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency
Ratio, part load
included).
Table 2: Fixed speed air conditioners: average EER improvement from 2008 to 2009
Cooling capacity
(kW)
Average EER in 2008 Average EER in 2009 Improvement rate (%)
CC " 4.5 3.04 3.30 8.6
4.5 < CC " 7.1 2.84 3.17 11.6
7.1 < CC " 14 2.75 3.06 11.3
Data source: [9]
6
Table 3: Variable speed air conditioners: average SEER improvement from 2008 to
2009
Cooling capacity
(kW)
Average SEER in
2008
Average SEER in
2009
Improvement rate (%)
CC " 4.5 4 4.64 16.0
4.5 <CC " 7.1 3.62 4.21 16.3
7.1 <CC " 14 3.62 3.86 6.7
Data source: [9]
Along with Topten Europe, Topten China [15] [7] selects and presents the most
energy efficient air

conditioners from 1200 models sold on the Chinese market. The efficiency levels of
the BAT identified
by Topten China are listed in tables 4 and 5.
Table 4: EER (cooling) of Best available fixed speed air conditioners on the Chinese
market
Air conditioner type EER: BAT in China
Split < 2.8kW, fixed speed 4.11
2.8kW " Split " 4.5kW, fixed speed 5.00
4.5kW < Split " 6.0kW, fixed speed 3.65
6.0kW < Split " 7.5kW, fixed speed 3.51
Data source: [15]
Tab. 5: SEER (cooling) of Best available variable speed air conditioners on the
Chinese market
Air conditioner type SEER: BAT in China
Split < 2.8kW, variable speed 7.33
2.8kW " Split " 4.5kW, variable speed 6.2
4.5kW < Split " 6.0kW, variable speed 5.39
6.0kW < Split " 7.5kW, variable speed 5.00
Data source: [15]
Because of the increasing stock and prolonged using times, air conditioners have
become one of the
biggest electricity consumers in Chinese residential energy consumption. According
to the analysis
and estimation of the China National Institute of Standardization, more than 200
TWh were consumed
by air conditioners in 2009 [9]. According to the reference scenario (enhancing the
energy efficiency
standards in the normal process), 22.4 TWh can be saved in 2020; while according
to the BPN

scenario (including a revision of the MEPS leading to all products on the market
reaching the highest
efficiency grade), even 33.3 TWh can be saved in 2020 [9].
Policy measures in Europe and China: energy label, MEPS and measurement
standards
Europe
Energy label: revision
The current energy labels for air conditioners were introduced in 2002, and are
accordingly outdated:
the class A limit is at 3.2, while BAT split air conditioners reach EER values of 5.63.
The energy label is currently being revised. The latest Commission Working
Document (WD) from
November 2010 [16] suggests maintaining three different energy label scales for
double ducts, single
ducts and all other air conditioners with a rated cooling capacity of up to 12 kW.
Seasonal efficiency
indicators are not applied for double ducts and single ducts, but effectively for split
air conditioners
only. The most efficient split air conditioners are expected to already reach the
super-A classes A+ to
A+++ of this labeling scale. On the other hand, the proposed minimum efficiency
requirements (see
below) will lead to most lower classes being empty after 2014 [17].
New minimum efficiency requirements
Ecodesign requirements are currently being discussed based on a Commission
Working Document
from November 2010 [18]. The WD proposes different minimum efficiency
requirements for (split)
room air conditioners, single- and double-ducts, maximum power input for standby
and off mode and 7

maximum sound power levels. According to the proposal, starting from 2012 air
conditioners will have
to meet at least class D cooling and class B heating efficiency, from 2014 class C
cooling and class A
heating efficiency. For appliances using refrigerants with a Global Warming Potential
(GWP) below
150, such as Hydrofluoro-Olefines (HFO), propane or CO2, a 10% reduction of the
required efficiency
levels is proposed. The member states will vote in February / March 2011.
Measurement standard
The current measurement standard EN14511 [19] is being revised and amended
with EN 14825 [20]
to include a method to measure and calculate seasonal performance indicators
based on part load
condition measurement. These seasonal performance indicators are the basis for
the Ecodesign
requirements as well as for the revised energy label. The current and the draft
revised measurement
standard have been compared in a test of a Chinese air conditioner by Topten
International Services.
The results are presented and discussed below.
China
Measurement standards: 2 in parallel
China has developed two parallel measurement standards for air conditioners, using
different energy
efficiency indicators: for fixed speed air conditioners, EER (full load) is applied,
while for variable
speed air conditioners, SEER (including part load conditions) is applied.
Minimum energy performance standards (MEPS)
The first MEPS for fixed speed air conditioners was implemented in 1989
(GB12021.3). This standard

was revised in 2000, 2004 and the latest version was implemented in 2010 [21].
Compared to the
version from 2004, the minimum requirement has been increased significantly by an
EER of 0.6 (to an
EER of 3.2 for ACs with a cooling capacity < 2800W), which means the former grade
2 limit of the
energy label was set as minimum efficiency requirement in the new standard (the
lower the grade, the
better the efficiency).
After almost 20 years of policy measure implementation for fixed speed air
conditioners, the first
MEPS for variable speed air conditioners was implemented in 2008 (GB21455). This
standard mainly
triggered the market expansion of variable speed air conditioners. The market share
increased from
below 10% before 2008 to more than 20% in 2010.
The average energy efficiency of fixed speed and variable speed air conditioners
improved
significantly. According to a conformity test conducted by Topten in 2010, all 9
tested air conditioners
did meet the requirements of the self-declared label grades, even though the
measured EER was
lower than indicated for all tested models but one. Manufacturers profit of the
large measurement
tolerance of up to 15% for the EER declaration, which sums up from a 10%
tolerance for the cooling
capacity measurement and a tolerance of 5% for the power input measurement
[22].
China Energy Labeling program
The Energy Labeling program was introduced in China in 2005. Fixed speed air
conditioners were the

first product group the meaningful label was implemented for. The label discloses
the most important
energy information of the air conditioner to the consumers. With the latest revision
of the
measurement standard and the labeling regulation the number of grades has been
reduced from 5 to
3 [23]. The energy label for variable speed air conditioners was implemented in
2009. Both the fixed
speed and variable speed air conditioner labels show the efficiency of the cooling
function only.
SEER: 2 different calculations
According to the measurement standards, the SEER of variable speed air
conditioners is calculated
based on the testing of 100% and 50% of the rated cooling capacity. The definition
of the cooling
season plays an essential role in the calculation of the SEER. The testing standard
(GB/T 7725-2004
[22]) defines the cooling season with a using time of 2399 hours, while the energy
efficiency standard
(GB 21455 2008 [12]) defines the cooling season with a using time of 1136 hours.
The difference in
cooling hours leads to different SEER results. Generally, the resulting SEER based on
the GB/T 7725
2004 is higher than the SEER based on the GB 21455 2008. The China energy
labeling program 8
adopted GB 21455 2008 as the basis of its labeling scheme. However, the
manufacturers also
indicate SEER of GB/T 7725 2004 on the nameplate of the product in parallel with
GB 21455
2008. The conflicts and confusions should be fixed with the next revision of the
standards.
Test of a Chinese high efficiency air conditioner according to four different

measurement standards
Methodology
A very efficient split wall air conditioner found by Topten China was chosen for the
compliance tests:
KFR-26GW/02(R2DBPXF)-S1 produced by Haier. The China Household Electric
Appliance Research
Institute (Cheari, [24]), a central institution hosted by State-owned Assets
Supervision and
Administration Commission of the State Council and approved by the State
Commission Office for
Public Sector Reform, conducts the measurements.
Figure 5: Indoor and outdoor unit of the tested Haier air condtioner model
The products cooling and heating function efficiency was measured according to
the following four
standards:
- The current European standard EN 14511 from 2007. This standard contains no
part load
conditions and the result is a non-seasonal Energy efficiency ratio (EER) and
Coefficient of
Performance (COP).
- The future European standard, also including part load conditions: the draft revised
EN 14511 and
prEN 14825 (part load conditions). The future EN 14825 contains the calculation
formula for the
seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and the seasonal coefficient of performance
(SCOP).
- The Chinese part load measurement standards on which the China energy labeling
program
bases its compliance tests: GB 21455-2008 and GB/T 7725-2004. The results are
SEER and
HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor).

- The US-standard ARI 210/240-2008, which also includes part load condition and a
SEER
(BTU/Wh) and HSPF (BTU/Wh) calculation.
The three standards containing part load conditions require a different number of
measurements at
different work loads or frequencies (Tab. 6).
Tab. 6: Number of measurements required in the different standards
Chinese European US
Cooling function 2 4 5
Heating function 3 6 6
Results
The resulting efficiency index values according to the four different measurement
standards are
shown in table 7 and figure 6, for both the cooling and the heating function.
9
Tab. 7: Efficiency index results according to the different measurement standards
Efficiency index values in W/W cooling heating
China (SEER / HSPF)
2
6.21 3.96
Europe current (EER / COP) 4.9 4.91
Europe future (SEER/ SCOP) 8.56 5.55
USA (SEER / HSPF) 7.86 3.66
Figure 6: Resulting efficiency indeces of the test of one air conditioner model
according to
four different measurement standards and BAT values (cooling).
The result according to the Chinese standard confirms the manufacturers
declaration. The test result

(SEER= 6.21) is 10% below the declared efficiency, but its still within the
measurement tolerance
regulated in the standard (GB/T 7725-2004). The test result also confirmed the
declared energy label
grade 1; the result is clearly above the grade 1 threshold of 5.2.
The result according to the current European standard allows comparing the
Chinese air conditioner
to the efficiency of European devices. 4.9 / 4.91 for EER and COP are high values
and put the model
among the efficient air conditioners on the European market. The most efficient air
conditioner on the
European market however reaches higher values (EER: 5.63. COP: 5.68), and on
topten.eu there are
6 models of comparable capacity with EER and COP values above 5.
Very high values resulted from the measurement according to the draft future
European standard.
With the resulting seasonal efficiency indicators of 8.56 (SEER) and 5.55 (SCOP) the
model reaches
the proposed A+++ classes for both the cooling and the heating function. The
difference between the
full load and part load results (the current and the future standard) is vast: the
resulting SEER is 3.6
points higher than the EER, the SCOP is 0.6 higher than the COP value.

2
In Wh/Wh10
The results according to the US standard are way beyond the Energy Star threshold
for heat pumps
and central air conditioners [25]. When comparing it to the Energy Star product list
it seems that the
tested model is more efficient than the BAT on the US market.

The lab further reported that the future European standard was the most
complicated to measure
according to. It requires a higher number of measurements at different work loads
than the Chinese
standard (see Tab. 6). When measuring according to the Chinese or the US
standard, measurements
are conducted at certain different frequencies, while following the European
standard a certain work
load has to be set. This was reported to be more difficult than to set a certain
compressor frequency.
The accuracy however was thought to be the best according to the European
standard.
Conclusions
The relevance of air conditioners for electricity consumption will increase, as sales
are on the rise.
Especially the Chinese market with sales about 7 times as high as in Europe is of
crucial importance.
Reversible models dominate both markets; variable speed air conditioners have an
increasing market
share in China and an already high market share in Europe. The heating function
must not be
neglected: it is responsible for two thirds of the energy consumption by air
conditioners, at least in
Europe.
The introduction of MEPS for variable speed air conditioners in 2008 and the energy
label in 2009
triggered a considerable market share increase of variable speed air conditioners in
China,
additionally their average efficiency increased by up to 16% from 2008 to 2009. The
implementation
of policy measures affecting the generally efficient sector of variable speed air
conditioners has

proven to have a positive influence on the average efficiency and the market.
Similar positive effects
can be expected in Europe, if strict minimum efficiency requirements and an
effective energy label are
introduced.
Markets differ strongly regarding the refrigerants: apart from R410A, the ozonedepleting R22 is still
widely used in China, while it is being phased out in Europe since more than 10
years. Experiences
from Europe show that not only R410A is a good alternative to R22, but also natural
refrigerants with
low global warming potential such as propane and "#$ are promising candidates.
The test results presented here allow to compare efficiency levels of Chinese air
conditioners to those
of European models. As there are also a few even more efficient air conditioners on
the Chinese
market than the tested model, the BAT in both regions seems to be more or less
comparable.
The results according to the Chinese standard proved correct declaration and
compliance, but point
out the problematics of the high measurement tolerances allowed. In Europe the
same problem
exists: the current tolerance of 15% enables manufacturers to declare the efficiency
of their products
up to two classes above the real efficiency. The new EU label proposal now suggests
a reduction of
the measurement tolerance.
The high very SEER and SCOP values when measured and calculated according to
the future
European standard and the vast difference between the full load and part load
results are quite

surprising. For other efficient variable speed drive air conditioners similar
differences can be
expected. As there are more efficient air conditioners on the European market than
the one tested,
even higher SEER and SCOP values will be reached. If the differences of 3.6
between EER and
SEER and 0.6 between SCOP and COP are applied to the very best model on the EUmarket, this
model can be expected to reach an SEER value of 9.2 and a SCOP of 6.3. At least
five additional
models can be expected to reach SEER values above 8.5 and SCOP above 6.
According to the proposed energy label scheme, the A+++-threshold would be at
SEER=8.5 and
SCOP = 5.1. With these class limits, there are several models in the A+++ classes
for both the cooling
and the heating function right at the introduction of the new label. Furthermore, the
energy label still
has different classification schemes for split air conditioners and the inefficient
single and double
ducts. A class A single or double duct with an EER of 2.6 appears to be more
efficient than a split air
conditioner of class B which however with an EER of 5.0 really can be almost twice
as efficient as
the generally inefficient moveable appliance. At the same time classes below C
(cooling) and A
(heating function) will be useless after 2014 when the proposed efficiency
requirements are in force.
Such an energy label does rather contribute to consumer confusion than guide them
to the most 11
efficient products. It also offers no incentive to manufacturers to develop and
market more efficient
products.

We are strongly recommending that the chances of future (EU or other) energy label
revision
processes is taken to define one single labeling scale for all types of air
conditioners, with class limits
guided by the BAT. Low classes should not be empty in the near future, and the A+
classes should be
reserved for future technology developments. Such a label would allow consumers
to see the low
efficiency levels of single and double ducts and effectively guide them towards the
BAT products.
Acknowledgements
The Topten project team gratefully acknowledges the financial support of:
- The European Commissions Intelligent Energy Europe Programme
(http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/) which made it possible for Topten to be
present in 16
European countries and continues to support the build-up in two more European
countries
(www.topten.eu).
- The European Climate Foundation (www.europeanclimate.org) who supports
Topten in updating
and expanding technical and policy analysis of the most energy-efficient products.
- WWF (www.wwf.org) who supports the build-up of Topten China (www.top10.cn)
and supports
other Topten projects in Hongkong, the USA (www.toptenusa.org) and Europe.
- The Swiss government: REPIC (Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Promotion in
International Co-operation - www.repic.ch) and SECO (State Secretariat for
Economic Affairs www.seco.admin.ch) who supports the build-up of Topten China.
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[20] prEN 14825, Draft: Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages and heat pumps,
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