Recently, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a new requirement that goes into effect on Jan. 1st, 2017 as part of the "Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Central Conditioners & Heat Pumps.” All manufacturers of heating and cooling systems need to ensure that the AHR units they manufacture for residential and small commercial applications meet this new standard.
Standard 2.5.3 from the Federal Register on “Indoor Coil Static Pressure Difference Measurement” states, “Use a differential pressure measuring instrument that is accurate to within +-0.01 inches of water and has a resolution of at least 0.01 inches of water to measure the static pressure difference between the indoor coil air inlet and outlet.”
To be in compliance, you need to run simulations and have real life testing data to validate efficiency. The Air-Condition, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) requires its members to be compliant starting Dec. 5th, 2016, and can call a manufacturer at any time to request a unit for testing. If the unit fails, the manufacturer will have to go through an investigation and prove the test stand is set-up to comply with the new regulations.
What are you doing about it?
Due to these new regulations around testing accuracy, many manufacturers have been looking for more accurate differential pressure transducers. Many manufacturers require a pressure transducer with a pressure range of 0-1” of Water Column (WC) to 0-5” WC. Setra’s Model ASM has an accuracy rating of 0.7%. This translates to an accuracy level of 0.0035” WC on a pressure range of 5” WC. Setra has had many heating and cooling system OEMs order ASLs in the past few months to get ready for the new regulation.
Why use the ASL?
- High Accuracy – 0.07% FS
- Differential pressure
- Low Pressure - .25” WC – 2 PSI
- 3 week Lead Time
CLICK HERE to learn more about the ASL.
