Ecodesign Regulation 1253/2014 on Ventilation Units

The Ecodesign Regulation 1253/2014 on Ventilation Units was adopted in 2014. The regulation covers Residential Ventilation Units and Non-Residential Ventilation Units (Art 1 and 2) with an electric power input equal or above 30 W. It is important to make the distinction between Residential Ventilation Units and Non-Residential Ventilation Units as they differ depending on their individual flow rate and possess different sets of measurement standards.

The European commission is currently reviewing this measure and will present the results of the preliminary study at the beginning of 2020, in view of a new proposal. Some of the key factors that are included in the review process are the possible extension of the scope, possible modification of the verification tolerances, possible need to take into account effects of low energy consuming filters on efficiency and a possibility to add a further tier for ecodesign requirements.

The minimum energy efficiency requirements (Art 3) are defined as follows:

For Residential Ventilation-Units:

  • SEC, calculated for average climate, shall be no more than 0 kWh/(m2.a) from 2016 and no more than – 20 kWh/(m2.a) from 2018.
  • Non-ducted units including ventilation units intended to be equipped with one duct connection on either supply or extract airside shall have a maximum LWA of 45 dB from 2016 and a maximum LWA of 40 dB from 2018.
  • All VUs, except dual use units, shall be equipped with a multi-speed drive or variable speed drive.
  • All BVUs shall have a thermal by-pass facility.
  • From 2018, ventilation units with a filter shall be equipped with a visual filter change warning signal.
  • All ventilation units, except dual use units, shall be equipped with a multi-speed drive or a variable speed drive.
  • All BVUs shall have a HRS. The HRS shall have a thermal by-pass facility.
  • From 2018, The minimum thermal efficiency ηt_nrvu of all HRS except run-around HRS in BVUs shall be 73 % and the efficiency bonus E = (ηt_nrvu – 0,73) * 3 000 if the thermal efficiency ηt_nrvu is at least 73 %, otherwise E = 0.
  • The minimum thermal efficiency ηt_nrvu of run-around HRS in BVUs shall be 68 % and the efficiency bonus E = (ηt_nrvu – 0,68) * 3 000 if the thermal efficiency ηt_nrvu is at least 68 %, otherwise E = 0.
  • The minimum fan efficiency for UVUs (ηνu ) is 6,2 % * ln(P) + 42,0 % if P ≤ 30 kW and 63,1 % if P > 30 kW.
  • The maximum internal specific fan power of ventilation components (SFPint_limit ) in W/(m3/s) is for a BVU with run-around HRS 1 600 + E – 300 * qnom /2 – F if qnom < 2 m3/s and 1 300 + E – F if qnom ≥ 2 m3/s;
  • For a BVU with other HRS 1 100 + E – 300 * qnom /2 – F if qnom < 2 m3/s and 800 + E – F if qnom ≥ 2 m3/s; 230 for an UVU intended to be used with a filter.
  • If a filter unit is part of the configuration the product shall be equipped with a visual signalling or an alarm in the control system which shall be activated if the filter pressure drop exceeds the maximum allowable final pressure drop.

For Non-Residential Ventilation-Units:

Along with the energy efficiency requirements, manufacturers will have to display product information sheet (online or joined with the product) presenting all the necessary information when placed on the market (Art 4).

For more information on how to implement the Regulation, consult the guidance document that comprises most relevant information and answers to your questions. Please note that this document does not replace the Regulation and is only intended to facilitate its comprehension.


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