Requirements of the ErP Directive on

HVAC systems. What you need to know.

The background to the Ecodesign Directive

Under the Kyoto Protocol, the European Union has committed itself to reducing its CO2
emissions by 20% by 2020. The EuP Directive 2005/32/EC (Energy-using Products
Directive) was adopted in 2005 to achieve this goal. This was renamed the ErP Directive
2009/125/EC (Energy-related Products Directive) in 2009, also known as the "Ecodesign
Directive". For energy-using products, it provides the general framework for their
environmentally compatible design, i.e. for assessing savings potential, defining minimum
energy efficiency requirements and considering resource efficiency over the entire product
lifecycle. As there are a myriad of energy-using products, product groups (lots) have been
created for each of which implementing regulations were then drawn up. For example, Lot
6 groups together ventilation units, Lot 11 fans and Lot 21 air heaters/coolers and fan
coils. These relate to the implementing regulations EU 2014/1253 (Lot 6), EU 2011/327
(Lot 11) and EU 2016/2281(Lot 21).

Difference between a directive and a regulation

An EU directive is either transposed by the member states into national law for its
implementation or it becomes effective via an EU regulation which then becomes directly
valid in all member states. This procedure was chosen for the requirements of the
Ecodesign Directive (ErP Directive 2009/125/EC) for electric motors, fans, as well as
HVAC systems and their energy-relevant components.

Regulation EU 2009/640 for electric motors

This ErP implementing regulation came into force in 2011 and prescribes the efficiencies
of IEC standard motors. These values were increased in 2015 and 2017 according to a
specified timetable. Since the beginning of 2017, all motors with a rated output power of
between 0.75 kW and 375 kW must either reach efficiency level IE3 or correspond to
efficiency level IE2 and additionally have speed control. The requirements for electric
motors are only of indirect importance for their use in HVAC units. Fans are used here, in
which a functional unit is formed by the motor with impeller and nozzle and, if necessary,
control electronics.

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Regulation EU 2011/327 for fans

This regulation applies to fans with motors with an electrical input power between 125 W
and 500 kW. It came into force in 2011 and prescribes minimum target efficiency
requirements (corresponding to system efficiency) in two steps. Stage 1 became effective
at the beginning of 2013. In the 2nd stage, which has been in force since the beginning of
2015, these values were increased again. The system efficiency of a fan unit represents
the product of the efficiencies of the fan, motor, drive (V-belt, flat belt or direct) and speed
control and is specified by the manufacturer. The system efficiency must be at least equal
to or greater than the target efficiency. In Annex I 2, Table 2, equations for the target
efficiencies ηtrgt are given for each fan type, which can then be calculated depending on
the electrical input power and specified efficiency levels.

In HVAC units, mainly radial fans with backward-curved blades without housing are used
at present. For this type of fan, Table 2 shows the data used to determine its minimum
efficiency ratings.

The RoofVent® RH-9B incorporates radial fans with backward-curved blades without
housing, which have a static efficiency (system efficiency) of ηsys = 63% with an electrical
input power of P = 3 kW.

In order to demonstrate compliance with the regulation, it is necessary to determine target

efficiency. The input power is in the interval 0.125 ≤ P ≤ 10, so the following equation is
used:

ηtrgt = 4,56 ⋅ ln ( P) − 10,5 + N [%] , where N = 62

Inserting the values gives us:

ηtrgt = 4,56 ⋅ ln 3 − 10,5 + 62 [%]

ηtrgt = 56,5 %

It turns out that the requirement of the regulation is met with η trgt = 56,5 % ≤ η Sys = 63 % .

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Regulation EU 2014/1253 for HVAC systems

This regulation came into force in 2014 and applies to ventilation equipment for which
ecodesign requirements have been defined. It prescribes minimum requirements for the
efficiency of HVAC systems that became effective in the first stage at the beginning of
2016. In the second stage, stricter requirements will apply as of 1 January 2018, which
are discussed below. For further understanding, there are three concepts to be clarified:

1. For the purposes of the regulation, the reference configuration of a bidirectional

ventilation unit (BVU) is a combination unit with at least one fan per air flow direction, a
heat recovery system (HRS), a clean supply air filter (class F7) and an exhaust air
filter (class M5).

2. The efficiency bonus (E) is a correction factor applied when the actual heat recovery
coefficient is higher than the required minimum temperature efficiency.

3. The filter correction (F) is a correction value applied when a BVU deviates from the
reference configuration (missing F7 or M5 filter or both).

The regulation applies to HVAC systems with air flow rates of more than 250 m³/h, which
are classified as "non-residential ventilation units" (NRVU). These will be subject to the
additional requirements from 1 January 2018 compared with 2016:

 HVAC systems must have a multi-stage drive (at least 3-speed) or speed control.

 All BVUs must have a HRS with thermal diversion (this formulation means that it does
not necessarily have to be a bypass).

 The following applies to the minimum temperature efficiencies and efficiency bonuses
of all HRSs:

Run-around HRS regen./recup. systems

Minimum temperature efficiency 68 % 73 %

Efficiency bonus E [Ws/m³] E = (ηact - 0.68) 3000 E = (ηact - 0.73) 3000

Figure 1: Minimum temperature efficiency and efficiency bonus according to

EU 2014/1253 from 1 January 2018 onwards

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 The following applies to the filter correction:

 F = 0 in the case of the complete reference configuration according to point 1.

 F = 150 if there is no M5

 F = 190 if there is no F7

 F = 340 if neither filter is fitted

 A visual or audible warning must indicate that the ultimate filter pressure has been
reached.

 The maximum permissible internal specific fan power SFPlimit [Ws/m³] of a BVU is
determined as follows as a function of the nominal volumetric flow qnom:

Run-around HRS Regen./Recup. systems

qnom < 2 m³/s SFPlimit = 1,600 + E - 300∙qnom/2 - F SFPlimit = 1,100 + E - 300∙qnom/2 - F

qnom ≥ 2 m³/s SFPlimit = 1,300 + E - F SFPlimit = 800 + E - F

Figure 2: Permitted specific fan power according to Regulation EU 2014/1253 from

1 January 2018 onwards

Proof of compliance with the ErP Directive taking RoofVent® devices as an example

Compliance with this regulation must be verifiably demonstrated. The example of

RoofVent® devices RH-6B and RH-9B will show how this works in practice. For this
purpose, the actual values of the specific fan powers SFPact are determined on the basis
of the given device data and compared with the SFPlimit values resulting from the
regulation. The ErP Directive is considered to be fulfilled if the actual values are lower
than the limit values. The given data is summarised in Figure 3. The values of the heat
recovery system (plate heat exchanger) are calculated with the Eurovent certified design
program Hoval Enventus CASER.

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 RoofVent® RH-6B RoofVent® RH-9B

Nominal air flow rate qnom 5,500 m³/h ≡ 1.53 m³/s 8,000 m³/h ≡ 2.22 m³/s

Fan efficiency ηfan 63 % 63 %

Pressure drop fresh air filter Δpfresh air filter 78 Pa 110 Pa

Pressure drop exhaust air filter Δpexhaust air filter 50 Pa 67 Pa

Pressure drop HRS supply air ΔpHRS supply air 223 Pa 201 Pa

Pressure drop HRS exhaust air ΔpHRS exhaust air 223 Pa 201 Pa

Temperature efficiency ηact 77.2 % 77.3 %

Figure 3: Data of RoofVent devices, extract from Design Handbook

Determining the SFPact values

The SFPact values are determined for both air directions. The sum of both values results in
the specific fan power of the device. With the same volume flow rates, this can be solved
in a simplified way in one calculation step by combining the pressure drops of the filter
and HRS on both sides.

Consequently:

(∆p fresh air filter + ∆pexhaust air filter + ∆pHRS su pply air + ∆pHRS exhaust air )
Peffective = qnom [W ] (1)
h fan

Peffective
With = SFPact [W ⋅ s / m3 ] , the actual value for the specific fan power from (1) is:
qnom

(∆p fresh air filter + ∆pexhaust air filter + ∆p HRS su pply air + ∆p HRS exhaust air )
SFPact = [W ⋅ s / m 3 ] (2)
h fan

Inserting the values from Figure 3 in (2) produces the SFP actual value for the

RoofVent® RH-6B:

(78 + 50 + 223 + 223) N

SFPact RH − 6 = = 911.1 W ⋅ s / m3 (3)
0.63 m²

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RoofVent® RH-9/B:

(110 + 67 + 201 + 201) N

SFPact RH − 9 = = 919.0 W ⋅ s / m3 (4)
0.63 m²

Determining the SFPlimit values

The actual values (3) and (4) are now compared with the specific fan outputs SFPlimit,
which are derived from Regulation no. 1253/2014. It is considered fulfilled if the condition
SFPact ≤ SFPlimit is met. The calculation is as follows:

 Determining the filter correction (F)

The devices have a reference configuration according to point 1, i.e. for both devices
the filter correction F = 0.

 Determining the efficiency bonus (E)

Both devices have a higher temperature efficiency than required and thus receive an
efficiency bonus (see equations in Figure 1). Consequently:

 RH-6B: E = (ηact RH-6 - 0.73) 3000 = (0.772 - 0.73) 3,000 = 126 W∙s/m³ (5)

 RH-9B: E = (ηact RH-9 - 0.73) 3000 = (0.773 - 0.73) 3,000 = 129 W∙s/m³ (6)

 Determining the specific fan power SFPlimit

 According to Figure 2, row 2, column 3, the following applies to the RH-6B:

SFPlimit RH-6 = 1,100 + E - 300∙qnom/2 - F [W∙s/m³]

With E according to equation (5), qnom = 1.53 m³/s and F = 0, it follows that

SFPlimit RH-6 = 1,100 + 126 - 300 ∙ 1.53/2 - 0 W∙s/m³

SFPlimit RH-6 = 996.5 Ws/m³ (7)

 According to Figure 2, row 3, column 3, the following applies to the RH-9B:

SFPlimit RH-9 = 800 + E - F [W∙s/m³]

With E according to equation (6), qnom = 2.22 m³/s and F = 0, it follows that

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 SFPlimit RH-9 = 800 + 129 - 0 W∙s/m³

SFPlimit RH-9 = 929 W∙s/m³ (8)

The comparison of the setpoints (7), (8) and actual values (3), (4) is shown in Figure 5.
The result is that RoofVent® devices of version 2018 are ErP-compliant.

SFPact [W∙s/m³] SFPlimit [W∙s/m³] SFPact ≤ SFPlimit ?

RH-6B 911.1 996.5 ok

RH-9B 919.0 929.0 ok

Figure 4: Demonstration of ErP compliance for RoofVent® devices

Regulation EU 2016/2281 for air heating products, cooling products, process

coolers with high operating temperature and fan coils

This regulation came into force in 2016 and covers all building services equipment
products that have not yet been subject to any regulation. The following individual
products are summarised in the collective terms above:

1. Air heating products: heating boilers for heating oil or natural gas, electric heaters and
electrically and thermally driven heat pumps with a rated heat output of up to 1 MW.
The heated air is supplied to an air-ducted heating system or directly to the room to be
heated.

2. Cooling products: multi-split/VRF air-conditioners above 12 kW and electrically and

thermally driven chillers with flow temperatures in the cooling circuit above +2 °C with
a nominal cooling capacity of up to 2 MW. The cold generated is transferred to the
rooms to be cooled via air or water distribution systems.

3. Process coolers with high operating temperature: chillers for process cooling in the
temperature range from 2 to 12 °C and a nominal cooling capacity of up to 2 MW.

4. Fan coils: conventional air heaters and coolers.

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In a 1st stage with effect from 1 January 2018 and in a 2nd stage from 1 January 2021, the
regulation lays down guidelines on how the environmentally compatible design of these
products can be achieved. The following requirements are laid down in Annex II:

 Products under 1. must comply with annual room heating utilisation ratings according
to Tables 1 and 2 (corresponding to level 1 or 2).

 Products under 2. must comply with annual room cooling utilisation ratings according
to Tables 3 and 4 (corresponding to level 1 or 2).

 Products under 3. must comply with annual performance factors (SEPR, Seasonal
Energy Performance Ratio) according to Tables 5 and 6 (corresponding to level 1 or 2).

 Nitrogen oxide emissions from air heaters, heat pumps, comfort coolers and air-
conditioning units must not exceed the values given in Table 8 (from 26 September
2018) and Table 9 (from 1 January 2021).

 The binding scope of the product information of the individual products is given in
tabular form in Annex III, with the aim of facilitating a comparison between competing
brands. For example, the specified product information for fan coils (traditional air
heaters and coolers) can be found in Annex III, Table 13.

There are no technical specifications in this regulation for conventional air heaters and
coolers (see 4. Fan coils). Regulation EU 2011/327 must certainly be applied for fans.
According to the FAQ of the EU Commission, question Q11, supply air units with a fresh
air content of < 10% are considered recirculation units and are therefore not subject to EU
Regulation 2014/1253 for air-conditioning systems (but the statements in the FAQ are not
legally binding, even if they are supported by the EU Commission).

What about the future for HVAC devices?

Requirements for the period from 1 January 2020 onwards have not yet been set. Annex
VII of Regulation EU 2014/1253 contains non-binding reference values, which would lead
to the following tightening up:

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 Run-around HRS Regen./Recup. systems

μmin 80 % 85 %

qnom < 2 m³/s SFPlimit = 1,350 + E - 300∙qnom/2 - F SFPlimit = 850 + E - 300∙qnom/2 - F

qnom ≥ 2 m³/s SFPlimit = 1,150 + E - F SFPlimit = 650 + E - F

Figure 5: Non-binding reference values according to Regulation EU 2014/1253 from 2020

onwards

An increase in the minimum temperature efficiencies should be safe. It is considered

unlikely that it will be equal to the reference values. Estimates for plate heat exchangers
are in the order of approximately 78%. The reduction of the SFP limit values in
comparison to the requirements as of 1 January 2018 can be achieved with lower inflow
velocities.

As a conclusion, it remains to be seen how exactly the situation will develop. But it will
certainly be interesting.

Contact in case of questions:

Hoval Aktiengesellschaft
Tel. +423 399 24 00
mailto:info.klimatechnik@hoval.com

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