There is a Brazilian HVAC manufacturer that has an centrifugal chiller with magnetic bearings equipment (air condensation). The equipment is not tested by AHRI and there is no laboratory in Brazil that can do this test. As there is no laboratory in Brazil that can do this test, we would like to know if this equipment falls into the option “d” of 6.4.1.4 (“if no certification program exists for a covered product, the equipment efficiency ratings shall be supported by data furnished by the manufacturer”).
Or, the equipment needs to be tested outside Brazil? Does AHRI tests this kind of equipment?
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Rudolph Carneiro
HVAC consultantOptimized Systems
26 thumbs up
October 29, 2012 - 9:25 am
That is correct fabiano. The dificulty is that magnetic bearing chillers rarely comply with the full load eficiency requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-2007. Since AHRI 550-590 doesnt take magnetic bearings into account in determining chiller efficiency, it would seem that chiller is exempt. I doubt however, that a reviewer would allow you to exempt something as big as a chiller from efficiency requirements. LEED allows use of ASHRAE 90.1-2010, which takes magnetic bearing chillers into account, so long as the the entire 2010 standard is applied to the project.
Marina Andrade
Sustainability Consultancy ServicesCushman & Wakefield
17 thumbs up
October 29, 2012 - 10:08 am
Hi Rudolph,
According to the manufacturer test, the equipment full load efficiency complies with the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-2007. Considering there is data furnished by the manufecturer, showing the equipment efficiency compliance, and that no certification program exists for this product, couldn’t we consider the item 6.4.1.4 compliance by using option “d”?
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
October 29, 2012 - 11:12 am
Sounds like you could possibly use 6.4.1.4 to demonstrate compliance.
I would probably investigate both options to demonstrate compliance. If 90.1-2010 covers this equipment and the manufacturer has published test data relative to the requirements then the baseline efficiency will be clear and straight forward. If not then using 6.4.1.4 may be possible but you will need to provide more explanation about how the equipment meets the efficiency requirements.
One correction to Rudolph's statement above - projects can use addenda to 90.1-2007 (the whole addendum must be applied) without having to apply 90.1-2010 in its entirety.
Marina Andrade
Sustainability Consultancy ServicesCushman & Wakefield
17 thumbs up
October 29, 2012 - 2:01 pm
The table 6.8.1C does not specify the type of bearings, so I thought that this type of equipment should comply with the minimum efficiency of Air cooled, with condenser, electrically operated.
Do you agree with that? Or should I consider that the equipment falls to the section 6.4.1.4 item “d”?