We are facing considerable challenges with regard to the planet’s energy supply, and EU requirements are affecting the ventilation industry. Here, we explain more about the EU’s requirements for energy efficiency.
Related: Read our new article How Ecodesign 2018 will affect the ventilation industry
Energy Efficiency Legislation
The EU Ecodesign Directive aims to reduce the world's energy consumption and production of greenhouse gas emissions. According to the directive, energy-consuming products must demonstrate a certain level of energy efficiency. This improved energy efficiency will help lower the environmental impact.
The stricter EU requirements will provide many benefits. Climate-smart buildings contribute to more sustainable development. Property owners are afforded lower operational costs, which in turn leads to higher property values. More jobs can be created. But, above all, we can conserve the planet’s resources.
EU requirements affecting the ventilation industry
The Ecodesign Directive is being introduced in two stages: beginning in 2016 and continuing in 2018. The directive sets minimum requirements for manufacturers, which must be met for products to be CE marked. In the ventilation industry, this regulation primarily pertains to the dry temperature efficiency of heat recovery units and the electrical efficiency of fans.
| Ecodesign 2016 | Ecodesign 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dry heat recovery efficiency heat recovery unit |
67% | 73% |
| Dry heat recovery efficiency run-around coil |
63% | 68% |
The table shows the requirements for heat recovery according to the 2016 and 2018 Ecodesign directives. For rotary heat exchangers, counter-flow heat exchangers and plate heat exchangers, heat recovery efficiency had to be at least 67 % in 2016, increasing to 73 % in 2018 The requirement for run-aroind coils is lower, at 63 % and 68 % for 2016 and 2018, respectively.
Requirements for SFP – fan efficiency
SFP stands for Specific Fan Power.
| Ecodesign 2016 | Ecodesign 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Internal SFP | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| SFPv | 2.1* | 1.9* |
The table shows the requirements for fan efficiency in the Ecodesign Directive.
*Requirements for 2018 stipulate an internal SFP value of 0.8. When calculated with a duct pressure of 200 Pa, this equates to an SFPv value of approximately 1.9.
Always stipulate SFPv – not internal SFP!
In order for unit manufacturers to be able to CE mark their products, they will need to report the internal SFP.
Pressure drops for filters and heat recovery units, along with fan efficiency, are crucial to internal SFP.
When calculating SFP, all pressure drops in the unit and duct system are included.
It is only manufacturers that are required to report internal SFP. Customers do not have to pay a great deal of attention to internal SFP. For customers, it is more important to focus on the SFPv value, as this value indicates the total energy efficiency of a ventilation system.
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