Powering HVAC Systems with energy efficiency and IAQ through Eurovent Certification

Eurovent Certification guarantees that HVAC systems adhere to elevated standards for energy efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ). Markus Lattner, Managing Director, Eurovent Middle East, explains that validating manufacturer claims helps planners and investors select durable, cost-efficient solutions that minimise operational costs and maximise performance.

What was the focus of Eurovent India’s recent workshop on energy-efficient indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions?

Sustainability, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality are popular in the building industry. Yet, many people need to see their correlation with each other and understand how all three aspects reduce the financial burden on owners and operators if implemented carefully. Some people believe that more IAQ will reduce energy efficiency, even though with better planned and maintained HVAC systems, energy consumption tends to be lower during the lifetime of equipment. Our workshop wants to highlight these aspects, increase understanding of technical aspects, and demonstrate that planners and investors should consider the durability and performance of products to avoid substantial damages and energy penalties during the operational life.

How does Eurovent Certita Certification ensure that HVACR manufacturers maintain consistent product performance throughout production?

Eurovent’s certification program is the only one globally which tests model boxes and units. It also checks and verifies the selection software used by manufacturers and looks at past orders and deliveries during annual factory audits to see if manufacturers provided correct data sheets. It is crucial to understand that the certification verifies the claims from manufacturers and thus makes products comparable. It does not automatically mean that the product would be a high performer. The consultant is responsible for specifying a good energy class, comparing offers and choosing the best solution.

What benefits does the Eurovent Certified Performance mark provide consumers, consultants and end users when selecting HVACR products?

When people invest in HVACR equipment, they need to be sure that this machinery provides the performance required for the project. If performance is not in line with what the manufacturer promises, serious consequences can arise, from building damage to interruptions in processes or loss of fresh produce in cold storage. Therefore, it needs to be ensured that the manufacturer declares the correct performance parameters. It can be verified through product certification.

Secondly, if investors want to ensure lower operational costs throughout the product life cycle, choosing products with a high performance/low energy consumption ratio is essential. It is equally established through certification and, in some cases, marked by an energy label. So, certification helps planners and investors to reduce uncertainties, shortens selection processes, and allows consultants to compare different offers and products based on the same parameters.

Let me add another essential benefit. Certification is a costly and lengthy process for manufacturers. It is an investment into a more fair and transparent market environment, where producers must be true to their claims and unfair competition is reduced, thus helping everyone in the value chain.

What components are necessary for the life cycle cost calculation for air handling units according to Eurovent standardised methodology?

Life Cycle Costs depend on three key aspects: energy performance, durability, and maintenance. If a unit is made of low-quality materials and shows a bad makeshift, it will fall apart within a relatively short time, with deteriorating performance. In many cases, investors save money in the initial purchase but then run into damages multiple times higher than the savings just a few years into operation. We recommend the following three steps to ensure that the investment is protected.

Firstly, request a Eurovent Certified unit, then call for a minimum energy efficiency of A or at least B. Finally, to ensure improved makeshift, request the certified Hygienic Option 1 or higher, which covers aspects like materials, accessibility, and maintainability.

Last but not least, make sure to properly train your technical staff on operating and maintaining the unit based on the procedures and schedules provided by the manufacturer. A good supplier will always provide proper documentation. Eurovent has published an Industry recommendation on quality criteria for AHUs, which provides an excellent handbook that explains how to specify this kind of equipment with minimum requirements to ensure quality and performance. It can be downloaded for free from the Eurovent website.

Please specify Eurovent recommendation for ISO 16890-rated air filters for general ventilation applications.

BIS has recently adopted ISO 16890 as the air filtration standard for general ventilation, replacing older ones used before, like ASHRAE 52 and EN779. The new international standard is a leap forward and makes the selection of filters relatively easy. Eurovent has published excellent guidance on how to select filters based on ISO 16890. Our Industry Recommendation 4/23 is available for free download on the Eurovent website. With a combination of the outdoor air pollution level and the indoor air requirements, consultants can determine which filtration efficiency they need to specify. The Indian industry will have to adapt to the internationally used standard dimensions of filters, a process which we intend to assist with more awareness in the coming months.

How often should the air filter in the HVAC system be replaced to ensure optimal indoor air quality?

Every AHU must have a pressure indicator installed, and filters should be replaced once their final pressure drop is reached. I want to emphasise that quality AHUs have good pressure indicators. A transparent plastic tube with water in it and connecting the sections before and after the filters is not the solution. Once the final pressure drop reaches, filters should be replaced, not washed, and retained. Washing can badly damage the filter material, deteriorating the filtration efficiency considerably. Aside from health hazards during the washing process. Personnel should also be provided with protective gear when they replace filters to avoid direct contact or inhalation of fine dust, bacteria, and other hazardous substances the filter retains.

How does Eurovent support manufacturers and industry initiatives to promote best practices and innovation within the HVAC and related sectors?

Eurovent brings manufacturers together to work on industry recommendations and joint initiatives to create awareness. Our workshops alert the audience to aspects that indicate better performances, better IAQ, and better life cycle costs. Knowledge and education are the pillars upon which every society is built. Education can always continue and must follow the industry’s development and its products and solutions. You can buy the best equipment, but you need the people capable of installing, operating, and maintaining it to achieve everything. Therefore, we communicate as much as possible on these aspects and have recently also started our HVACR Leadership Academy out of our chapter in the Middle East. Indians can also attend our online courses, and they intend to provide an in-depth understanding of products and technologies available in the market.