§ 431.96 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy efficiency of commercial air conditioners and heat pumps.

§ 431.96 Uniform test method for the measurement of energy efficiency of commercial air conditioners and heat pumps.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 44037, May 20, 2024.

(a) Scope. This section contains test procedures for measuring, pursuant to EPCA, the energy efficiency of any small, large, or very large commercial package air-conditioning and heating equipment, packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps, computer room air conditioners, variable refrigerant flow systems, single package vertical air conditioners and single package vertical heat pumps, and direct expansion-dedicated outdoor air systems.

(b) Testing and calculations.

(1) Determine the energy efficiency and capacity of each category of covered equipment by conducting the test procedure(s) listed in table 1 to this paragraph (b) along with any additional testing provisions set forth in paragraphs (c) through (g) of this section and appendices A through G1 to this subpart, that apply to the energy efficiency descriptor for that equipment, category, and cooling capacity. The omitted sections of the test procedures listed in table 1 must not be used. For equipment with multiple appendices listed in table 1, consult the notes at the beginning of those appendices to determine the applicable appendix to use for testing.

(2) After June 24, 2016, any representations made with respect to the energy use or efficiency of packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps (PTACs and PTHPs) must be made in accordance with the results of testing pursuant to this section. Manufacturers conducting tests of PTACs and PTHPs after July 30, 2015 and prior to June 24, 2016, must conduct such test in accordance with either table 1 to this section or § 431.96 as it appeared at 10 CFR part 431, subpart F, in the 10 CFR parts 200 to 499 edition revised as of January 1, 2014. Any representations made with respect to the energy use or efficiency of such packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps must be in accordance with whichever version is selected.

Table 1 to Paragraph (b)—Test Procedures for Commercial Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Equipment type	Category	Cooling capacity or moisture removal capacity2 1	Energy efficiency descriptor	Use tests, conditions, and an procedures in	Additional test procedure provisions as indicated in the listed paragraphs of this section
Small Commercial Package Air - Conditioning and Heating Equipment	Air-Cooled, 3-Phase, AC and HP	<65,000 Btu/h	SEER and HSPF	Appendix F to this subpart3 2	None.
Commercial Package Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment	Air-Cooled, 3-Phase, AC and HP	<65,000 Btu/h	SEER2 and HSPF2	Appendix F1 to this subpart3 2	None.
Commercial Package Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment	Air-Cooled AC and HP (excluding double-duct AC and HP)	≥65,000 Btu/h and <135<760,000 Btu/h	EER, IEER, and COP	Appendix A to this subpart2	None.	Water-Cooled and Evaporatively-Cooled AC	<65,000 Btu/h	EER	AHRI 210/240-20081 (omit section 6.5)	Paragraphs (c) and (e).	EER	AHRI 340/360-20071 (omit section 6.3)	Paragraphs (c) and (e).
Water-Source HP	<135Commercial Package Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment	Air-Cooled AC and HP (excluding double-duct AC and HP)	≥65,000 Btu/h	EER and COP	Appendix C to this subpart3	None.	Water-Source HP	<135and <760,000 Btu/h	IEER and ACOP	Appendix C1 EER2, COP2, IVEC, and IVHE	Appendix A1 to this subpart3 2	None.
Large Commercial Package Air - Conditioning and Heating Equipment	AirDouble-Cooled duct AC and HP	≥135≥65,000 Btu/h and <240<300,000 Btu/h	EER, IEER, and COP	Appendix A to this subpart2	None.	Water-Cooled and Evaporatively-Cooled AC	≥135,000 Btu/h and <240,000 Btu/h	EER	AHRI 340/360-20071 (omit section 6.3)
Paragraphs (c) and (e).	Water-Source HP	≥135Commercial Package Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment	Double-duct AC and HP	≥65,000 Btu/h and <240<300,000 Btu/h	EER and COP	Appendix C to this subpart3	None.	Water-Source HP	≥135,000 Btu/h and <240,000 Btu/h	IEER and ACOP	Appendix C1 to this subpart3	None.	Very Large Commercial Package Air-EER2, COP2, IVEC, and IVHE	Appendix A1 to this subpart2	None.
Commercial Package Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment	AirWater-Cooled AC and HP≥240,000 Btu/h and and Evaporatively-Cooled AC	<760,000 Btu/h	EER , and IEER and COP	Appendix A to this subpart2	None.
Commercial Package Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment	Water-Cooled and Evaporatively-Cooled AC	≥240,000 Btu/h and <760,000 Btu/h	EER	AHRI 340/360-20071 (omit section 6.3)	Paragraphs (c) and (e)EER2 and IVEC	Appendix A1 to this subpart2	None.
Water-Source HP≥240,000 Btu/h and Heat Pumps	HP	<760,000 Btu/h	EER and COP	Appendix C to this subpart3 2	None.
Water-Source HP≥240,000 Btu/h and Heat Pumps	HP	<760,000 Btu/h	IEER and ACOP	Appendix C1 to this subpart3 2	None.
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps	AC and HP	<760,000 Btu/h	EER and COP	Paragraph (g) of this section	Paragraphs (c), (e), and (g).
Computer Room Air Conditioners	AC	<760,000 Btu/h	SCOP	Appendix E to this subpart3 2	None.
Computer Room Air Conditioners	AC	<760,000 Btu/h or <930,000 Btu/h4 3	NSenCOP	Appendix E1 to this subpart3 2	None.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-split Systems	AC	<65,000 Btu/h (3-phase)	SEER	Appendix F to this subpart3 2	None.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-split Systems	AC	<65,000 Btu/h (3-phase)	SEER2	Appendix F1 to this subpart3 2	None.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-split Systems, Air-cooled	HP	<65,000 Btu/h (3-phase)	SEER and HSPF	Appendix F to this subpart3 2	None.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-split Systems, Air-cooled	HP	<65,000 Btu/h (3-phase)	SEER2 and HSPF2	Appendix F1 to this subpart3 2	None.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-split Systems, Air-cooled	AC and HP	≥65,000 Btu/h and <760,000 Btu/h	EER and COP	Appendix D to this subpart3 2	None.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-split Systems, Air-cooled	AC and HP	≥65,000 Btu/h and <760,000 Btu/h	IEER and COP	Appendix D1 to this subpart3 2	None.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-split Systems, Water-source	HP	<760,000 Btu/h	EER and COP	Appendix D to this subpart3 2	None.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-split Systems, Water-source	HP	<760,000 Btu/h	IEER and COP	Appendix D1 to this subpart3 2	None.
Single Package Vertical Air Conditioners and Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps	AC and HP	<760,000 Btu/h	EER and COP	Appendix G to this subpart3 2	None.
Single Package Vertical Air Conditioners and Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps	AC and HP	<760,000 Btu/h	EER, IEER, and COP	Appendix G1 to this subpart3 2	None.
Direct Expansion-Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems	All	<324 lbs. of moisture removal/hr	ISMRE2 and ISCOP2	Appendix B to this subpart	None.

¹ Incorporated by reference; see § 431.95.² Moisture removal capacity applies only to direct expansion-dedicated outdoor air systems.

^{3 2} For equipment with multiple appendices listed in this Table 1table, consult the notes at the beginning of those appendices to determine the applicable appendix to use for testing.

^{4 3} For upflow ducted and downflow floor-mounted computer room air conditioners, the test procedure in appendix E1 of to this subpart applies to equipment with net sensible cooling capacity less than 930,000 Btu/h. For all other configurations of computer room air conditioners, the test procedure in appendix E1 to this subpart applies to equipment with net sensible cooling capacity less than 760,000 Btu/h.

(c) Optional break-in period for tests conducted using AHRI 210/240-2008, AHRI 1230-2010, and ASHRAE 127-2007. Manufacturers may optionally specify a “break-in” period, not to exceed 20 hours, to operate the equipment under test prior to conducting the test method specified by AHRI 210/240-2008 or ASHRAE 127-2007 (incorporated by reference; see § 431.95). A manufacturer who elects to use an optional compressor break-in period in its certification testing should record this information (including the duration) in the test data underlying the certified ratings that is required to be maintained under 10 CFR 429.71.

(d) Refrigerant line length corrections for tests conducted using AHRI 1230-2010. For test setups where it is physically impossible for the laboratory to use the required line length listed in Table 3 of the AHRI 1230-2010 (incorporated by reference, see § 431.95), then the actual refrigerant line length used by the laboratory may exceed the required length and the following correction factors are applied:

Table 2 to Paragraph (d)

Piping length beyond minimum, X (ft)	Piping length beyond minimum, Y (m)	Cooling capacity correction %
0>X ≤20	0>Y ≤6.1	1
20>X ≤40	6.1>Y ≤12.2	2
40>X ≤60	12.2>Y ≤18.3	3
60>X ≤80	18.3>Y ≤24.4	4
80>X ≤100	24.4>Y ≤30.5	5
100 >X ≤120	30.5>Y ≤36.6	6

(e) Additional provisions for equipment set-up. The only additional specifications that may be used in setting up the basic model for test are those set forth in the installation and operation manual shipped with the unit. Each unit should be set up for test in accordance with the manufacturer installation and operation manuals. Paragraphs (e)(1) through (3) of this section provide specifications for addressing key information typically found in the installation and operation manuals.

(1) If a manufacturer specifies a range of superheat, sub-cooling, and/or refrigerant pressure in its installation and operation manual for a given basic model, any value(s) within that range may be used to determine refrigerant charge or mass of refrigerant, unless the manufacturer clearly specifies a rating value in its installation and operation manual, in which case the specified rating value shall be used.

(2) The air flow rate used for testing must be that set forth in the installation and operation manuals being shipped to the commercial customer with the basic model and clearly identified as that used to generate the DOE performance ratings. If a rated air flow value for testing is not clearly identified, a value of 400 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) per ton shall be used.

(3) For VRF systems, the test set-up and the fixed compressor speeds (i.e., the maximum, minimum, and any intermediate speeds used for testing) should be recorded and maintained as part of the test data underlying the certified ratings that is required to be maintained under 10 CFR 429.71.

(f) Manufacturer involvement in assessment or enforcement testing for variable refrigerant flow systems. A manufacturer's representative will be allowed to witness assessment and/or enforcement testing for VRF systems. The manufacturer's representative will be allowed to inspect and discuss set-up only with a DOE representative and adjust only the modulating components during testing in the presence of a DOE representative that are necessary to achieve steady-state operation. Only previously documented specifications for set-up as specified under paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section will be used.

(g) Test Procedures for Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps —

(1) Cooling mode testing. The test method for testing packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps in cooling mode shall consist of application of the methods and conditions in AHRI 310/380-2014 sections 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 (incorporated by reference; see § 431.95), and in ANSI/ASHRAE 16 (incorporated by reference; see § 431.95) or ANSI/ASHRAE 37 (incorporated by reference; see § 431.95), except that instruments used for measuring electricity input shall be accurate to within ±0.5 percent of the quantity measured. Where definitions provided in AHRI 310/380-2014, ANSI/ASHRAE 16, and/or ANSI/ASHRAE 37 conflict with the definitions provided in 10 CFR 431.92, the 10 CFR 431.92 definitions shall be used. Where AHRI 310/380-2014 makes reference to ANSI/ASHRAE 16, it is interpreted as reference to ANSI/ASHRAE 16-1983 (RA 2014).

(2) Heating mode testing. The test method for testing packaged terminal heat pumps in heating mode shall consist of application of the methods and conditions in AHRI 310/380-2014 sections 3, 4.1, 4.2 (except the section 4.2.1.2(b) reference to ANSI/ASHRAE 37), 4.3, and 4.4 (incorporated by reference; see § 431.95), and in ANSI/ASHRAE 58 (incorporated by reference; see § 431.95). Where definitions provided in AHRI 310/380-2014 or ANSI/ASHRAE 58 conflict with the definitions provided in 10 CFR 431.92, the 10 CFR 431.92 definitions shall be used. Where AHRI 310/380-2014 makes reference to ANSI/ASHRAE 58, it is interpreted as reference to ANSI/ASHRAE 58-1986 (RA 2014).

(3) Wall sleeves. For packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps, the unit must be installed in a wall sleeve with a 14 inch depth if available. If a 14 inch deep wall sleeve is not available, use the available wall sleeve option closest to 14 inches in depth. The area(s) between the wall sleeve and the insulated partition between the indoor and outdoor rooms must be sealed to eliminate all air leakage through this area.

(4) Optional pre-filling of the condensate drain pan. For packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps, test facilities may add water to the condensate drain pan of the equipment under test (until the water drains out due to overflow devices or until the pan is full) prior to conducting the test method specified by AHRI 310/380-2014 (incorporated by reference, see § 431.95). No specific level of water mineral content or water temperature is required for the water added to the condensate drain pan.

(5) Filter selection. For packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps, the indoor filter used during testing shall be the standard or default filter option shipped with the model. If a particular model is shipped without a filter, the unit must be tested with a MERV-1 filter sized appropriately for the filter slot.

[77 FR 28989, May 16, 2012; 80 FR 11857, Mar. 5, 2015, as amended at 80 FR 37148, June 30, 2015; 80 FR 79669, Dec. 23, 2015; 87 FR 45198, July 27, 2022; 87 FR 63897, Oct. 20, 2022; 87 FR 75168, Dec. 7, 2022; 87 FR 77325, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 21839, Apr. 11, 2023; 88 FR 36424, June 2, 2023; 88 FR 84228, Dec. 4, 2023; 89 FR 44037, May 20, 2024]