Get set for change with the introduction of the Energy Related Products Directive in 201329th November, 2012
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Marc Diaz, UK Country Manager at Panasonic looks at the impact the directive will have on improving energy efficiency in the air conditioning and heat pump industry.
From January 1 2013 the energy performance calculation for air conditioning systems will change from an overall EU based standard of EER and COP to a new standard based seasonal efficiencies of SEER and SCOP. These changes to the Energy Related Products Directive, or ErP, will give the building services industry a better understanding of the real efficiency of air conditioning and heat pump systems. The schedule for each product category will vary with changes to heat pumps coming into force from 2015.
The ultimate aim of the directive is to force manufacturers of energy-using products at the design stage to reduce energy consumption and other negative environmental impacts on products. These measures are great news for the consumer who can ensure they are receiving the best value for every pound spent on energy efficiency.
Installers and specifiers will notice that the energy class will extend to A and the C classification will be banished. Panasonic is already ahead of the game. High efficiency air conditioning products, like our PACi and RAC line-up, will be highly rated when the regulation is introduced.
The Energy Related Products Directive will make the less efficient heat pump and air conditioning systems disappear from the market. They simply will not meet the ErP minimum energy classification. The new energy efficiency ratings reveal a huge difference between B class air conditioning and A class, with a difference of two points (from 3.1 to 5.1) between them.
Any initiative that drives a reduction in CO2 is welcomed. In the past, the COP or EER gave a value at fixed points, detailing the efficiency of the air conditioning system or heat pump. This new directive shows seasonal performance not the best, not the worst, but the overall performance of the system. Though more tough, the directive provides a more accurate assessment of energy efficiency, which is far better for the consumer.
The directive will have a significant impact on the market. The most efficient air conditioning and heat pump systems meeting the standard have nothing to fear but it is the budget systems at the bottom end of the market that will suffer.
Policing the new directive is still a matter of conjecture. I can still see that older, inefficient systems may still be stocked in warehouses across the country and eventually finding their way to market - but not at Panasonic. We have already completed a factory re-organisation that allowed us to upgrade our product ranges to meet the 2013 deadline.
At Panasonic, our coils and fans have been upgraded to meet energy efficiency levels demanded by the directive. In some cases motors have also been switched from AC to DC. We have made these changes because we recognise that you cannot stand still when it comes to manufacturing energy-saving technology. Some installers may well stick to their old brands for key projects but it is the budget products that they will let go. Consultants and end users will look for the ErP mark and installers will follow suit.
There's no doubting that the current market is a tough one for the installer, the specifier and the manufacturer. The uncertainty over the Euro and financial worries are making companies more cautious, resulting in a hold back on spending. However, there is business out there but it takes more work to come by.
At Panasonic we are confident that we can meet the needs of the end user in these demanding times. We have a fantastic line-up of energy efficient products in air conditioning and heat pump technology. With the rising cost of oil consumers are beginning to recognise the great potential of air source heat pumps.
Installed together with photo-voltaic systems, they make a great combination and can have a significant impact on reducing heating bills especially in the social housing arena. Our Aquarea range really does fit the bill here, offering class-leading energy savings.
When the recovery happens, we fully expect the private sector to come to the fore. There is lots of talk about the possibility of large public sector housing investment and any movement in this direction would be welcomed. Energy efficiency will continue to drive our industry and that's something that's not going to change in the near future. At Panasonic we are leading the way to meet that challenge.
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Get set for change with the introduction of the Energy Related Products Directive in 201329th November, 2012
