A common method for testing and rating of residential HP and AC annual/seasonal performance

To achieve an excellent working heat pump system, the right type of heat pump must be chosen and installed with a matching heat distribution system. For this reason, it is important to have reliable information on both the heat pump itself, and how it is influenced by the surrounding system.

Start date: July 2010

End date: Autumn 2013

Objectives

The main objectives of the Annex are:

• Establish common calculation methods for SPF using a generalised and transparent approach. The focus is on a fair comparison between different heat pump types, but also for comparison between different competing technologies, such as pellet boilers and gas boilers
• Establish comprehensive test methods based on further development of existing test standards will be evaluated. The test standards should include test conditions needed for the future SPF calculations.

Project manager and participating countries

Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden (Operating Agent), Switzerland, and the United States.

Activities

In order to achieve the objectives of the Annex, the following task-sharing activities
have been planned:

Task 1   
Survey and Evaluation of existing testing methods and calculation methods for SPF

Task 2   
Matrix definition of need for testing and calculation methods

Task 3   

New calculation method for SPF/commonly accepted definitions on how SPF is   calculated

Task 4  

Identify improvents to existing test procedures

Task 5  

Validation of SPF method

Task 6  
Development of an alternative method to evaluate heat pump performance

Task 7  
Communications and stakeholders

Publication and results

The Annex deliverables will include:

• Interim reports covering:
• Progress reports to the HPC for ExCo meetings
• Report to the HPP Annual report
• Recommendation for a common transparent calculation method/tool for SPF for combined operation, which later can be incorporated in standardization. This methodology shall take into account combined operation and part-load operation. The calculations should be based on laboratory measurements.
• Recommendation for further improvements of existing testing methods.
• Country reports SWOT (Strengths – Weaknesses – Opportunities - Threats) analysis of existing testing methods and calculation methods for SPF.
• Country reports summarizing the history, development and reason to use existing methods on national level today
• An alternative method to evaluate heat pump performance
• A 2-page popular scientific summary of Annex results to be freely disseminated
• Final report of the Annex summarising the interim reports