JUNE 2012
making appliance energy efficiency the new global standard
Cooling Benchmarking Study Rationale for Benchmarking RACs Efficiency of RACs is critical and could be improved through crosseconomy comparisons, but those comparisons are challenging. ● RACs contribute heavily to peak load, and are being purchased at rapidly rising rates in developing economies. ● Despite global trade, information is scarce about RAC market characteristics, minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), and labels. ● It is difficult to compare RAC performance and efficiency policies across economies due to variations in test procedures and efficiency metric formulas.
CLASP initiated the Cooling Benchmarking Study to enable international comparison of the energy efficiency (EE) performance of commercial- and residential-sector room air conditioners (RACs).
Resources Components This resource for policymakers and standards and labels (S&L) experts includes: ● A review of current and past RAC market characteristics in various economies; ● An in-depth review and comparison of the test procedures used; and ● Conversion formulas that enable comparison between RAC energy efficiency metrics in various economies.
Findings for Policymakers ● RAC energy efficiency varies widely across economies: For example, the most efficient RAC product in the Japanese market is 20% more efficient than the most efficient product in the European Union. ● Local conditions partially explain efficiency differences: For example, high electricity prices can lead to efficient products, and differing maturity levels of RAC markets affect technology choices. ● Stringency of energy efficiency policy requirements varies widely across economies, and more stringent regulations can have positive impacts on RAC efficiency. ● Using a seasonal metric to rate energy efficiency accounts for actual product use over the variable temperature and humidity demands of the entire cooling season. ● Conversion formulas derived in this study enable comparison among RAC performance metrics currently in use around the world. ● For most economies, large energy saving opportunities are possible by setting energy performance requirements at the level of Japan for large and small split AC units; split units dominate the market in most economies.
CLASP completed the Cooling Benchmarking Study in collaboration with Econoler, Navigant, Centro de ensayos, innovación y servicios (CEIS), and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
CLASP
+1 202.543.8515 2021 L Street NW, Suite 502, Washington DC 20036 USA clasponline.org
Million Units 12
Room Air Conditioner Shipments (USA)
10
RAC Split Units (Japan)
8
RAC Split Units (European Union)
6
RAC Split Units (India)
4
RAC Window Units (India)
2
Single Duct Unit (Portable Unit - European Union)
0 2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
Window Units (European Union)
2010
EER Level (W/W) AC Products weighted average EER (China)
3.4
3.2
Split AC products weighted average EER (EU)
3
Multi-split AC products weighted average EER (EU)
Global Market Characterization There has been an upward trend in sales of RAC units over the last five years in most economies. The market is mostly dominated by split system units. Inverter split units are widely available in industrialized economies, and market shares are increasing in developing economies as well.
RAC Efficiencies in the Market Single and multi-split AC products have become more efficient over the past decade in the countries analyzed.
2.8 Windows (Unitary) AC products weighted average EER (EU)
2.6
Windows (Unitary) AC products weighted average EER (US)
2.4
Split AC Sales weighted average EER (EU)
2.2 2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
Benchmarking RAC Energy Efficiency
To EU norm
SEER
To Japan CSPF norm
8.0
The derivation of conversion functions allowed comparison of MEPS requirements across economies.
To China norm 7.0
To US norm To Korea norm
6.0
To Japan APF norm
5.0
However, window AC products have remained at about the same efficiency between 2006 and 2011 in the US, and have become less efficient in the EU over the same period.
In this study, Japan had the most stringent energy requirements for split AC units.
4.0
US 2006
EU 2013
EU 2014
China 2008 Korea 2004
Japan 2012
The full Cooling Benchmarking Report and other S&L resources are available at the CLASP website: www.clasponline.org/CoolingBenchmarking
CLASP
6–28 kW, wall
free-dimension < 3.2 kW
fix speed > 4.5 kW
fix speed < 4.5 kW
6–12 kW, GWP > 150
6–12 kW, GWP < 150
< 6 kW, GWP > 150
< 6 kW, GWP < 150
< 12 kW, GWP > 150
< 19 kW
2.0
< 12 kW, GWP < 150
3.0
CLASP Resources & Tools Online The CLASP website is a hub for global S&L best practice and provides online tools and resources to S&L practitioners at no cost. To access CLASP’s online resources and tools, please visit clasponline.org/ResourcesTools
+1 202.543.8515 2021 L Street NW, Suite 502, Washington DC 20036 USA clasponline.org