Appendix E1 to Subpart F of Part 431—Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Computer Room Air Conditioners

Appendix E1 - Appendix E1 to Subpart F of Part 431—Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Computer Room Air Conditioners

Note:

Prior to the compliance date for any amended energy conservation standards based on NSenCOP for computer room air conditioners, representations with respect to energy use or efficiency of this equipment, including compliance certifications, must be based on testing pursuant to appendix E to this subpart. Subsequently, manufacturers must use the results of testing under this appendix to determine compliance with any amended energy conservation standards for computer room air conditioners provided in § 431.97 that are published after January 1, 2022, and that rely on net sensible coefficient of performance (NSenCOP). Specifically, representations, including compliance certifications, related to energy consumption must be based upon results generated under the appropriate appendix that applies (i.e., appendix E to this subpart or this appendix) when determining compliance with the relevant standard. Manufacturers may use this appendix to certify compliance with any amended standards prior to the applicable compliance date for those standards.

1. Incorporation by Reference

DOE incorporated by reference in § 431.95 the entire standards for AHRI 1360-2022, ANSI/ASHRAE 37-2009, and ANSI/ASHRAE 127-2020. However, as listed in sections 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 of this appendix, only certain enumerated provisions of AHRI 1360-2022 and ANSI/ASHRAE 127-2020 are applicable, and only certain enumerated provisions of ANSI/ASHRAE 37-2009 are not applicable. To the extent that there is a conflict between the terms or provisions of a referenced industry standard and the CFR, the CFR provisions control.

1.1 AHRI 1360-2022:

(a) The following sections of Section 3. Definitions—3.1 (Expressions of Provision), 3.2.2 (Air Sampling Device(s)), 3.2.7 (Computer and Data Processing Room Air Conditioner), 3.2.22 (Indoor Unit), 3.2.25 (Manufacturer's Installation Instruction), 3.2.27 (Net Sensible Cooling Capacity), 3.2.28 (Net Total Cooling Capacity), 3.2.37 (Standard Air) and 3.2.38 (Standard Airflow) are applicable.

(b) Section 5. Test Requirements, is applicable.

(d) Appendix C. Standard Configurations—Normative, is applicable.

(e) Section D2 of Appendix D. Non-Standard Indoor Fan Motors for CRAC units, is applicable.

(f) Appendix E. Method of Testing Computer and Data Processing Room Air Conditioners—Normative, is applicable.

(g) Appendix F. Indoor and Outdoor Air Condition Measurement—Normative is applicable.

1.2 ANSI/ASHRAE 127-2020:

(a) Appendix A—Figure A-1, Test duct for measuring air flow and static pressure on downflow units, is applicable.

(b) [Reserved].

1.3 ASHRAE 37-2009:

(a) Section 1 Purpose is inapplicable.

(b) Section 2 Scope is inapplicable.

2. General. Determine the net sensible coefficient of performance (NSenCOP), in accordance with AHRI 1360-2022, ANSI/ASHRAE 127-2020, and ANSI/ASHRAE 37-2009. In cases where there is a conflict between these sources, the language of this appendix takes highest precedence, followed by AHRI 1360-2022, followed by ANSI/ASHRAE 127-2020, followed by ANSI/ASHRAE 37-2009. Any subsequent amendment to a referenced document by a standard-setting organization will not affect the test procedure in this appendix, unless and until this test procedure is amended by DOE. Material is incorporated as it exists on the date of the approval, and notification of any change in the incorporation will be published in the Federal Register.

3. Test Conditions

3.1. Test Conditions for Certification. When testing to certify to the energy conservation standards in § 431.97, test using the “Indoor Return Air Temperature Standard Rating Conditions” and “Heat Rejection/Cooling Fluid Standard Rating Conditions” conditions, as specified in Tables 3 and 4 of AHRI 1360-2022, respectively.

4. Set-Up and Test Provisions for Specific Components. When testing a unit that includes any of the features listed in Table 4.1 of this appendix, test in accordance with the set-up and test provisions specified in Table 4.1 of this appendix.

Table 4.1—Test Provisions for Specific Components

Component	Description	Test provisions	Air Economizers	An automatic system that enables a cooling system to supply outdoor air to reduce or eliminate the need for mechanical cooling during mild or cold weather	For any air economizer that is factory-installed, place the economizer in the 100% return position and close and seal the outside air dampers for testing. For any modular air economizer shipped with the unit but not factory-installed, do not install the economizer for testing.	Process Heat Recovery/Reclaim Coils/Thermal Storage	A heat exchanger located inside the unit that conditions the equipment's supply air using energy transferred from an external source using a vapor, gas, or liquid	Disconnect the heat exchanger from its heat source for testing.	Evaporative Pre-cooling of Condenser Intake Air	Water is evaporated into the air entering the air-cooled condenser to lower the dry-bulb temperature and thereby increase efficiency of the refrigeration cycle	Disconnect the unit from the water supply for testing (i.e., operate without active evaporative cooling).	Steam/Hydronic Heat Coils	Coils used to provide supplemental heat	Test with steam/hydronic heat coils in place but providing no heat.	Refrigerant Reheat Coils	A heat exchanger located downstream of the indoor coil that heats the supply air during cooling operation using high pressure refrigerant in order to increase the ratio of moisture removal to cooling capacity provided by the equipment	De-activate refrigerant re-heat coils so as to provide the minimum (none if possible) reheat achievable by the system controls.	Fire/Smoke/Isolation Dampers	A damper assembly including means to open and close the damper mounted at the supply or return duct opening of the equipment	For any fire/smoke/isolation dampers that are factory-installed, close and seal the dampers for testing. For any modular fire/smoke/isolation dampers shipped with the unit but not factory-installed, do not install the dampers for testing.	Harmonic Distortion Mitigation Devices	A high voltage device that reduces harmonic distortion measured at the line connection of the equipment that is created by electronic equipment in the unit	Remove harmonic distortion mitigation devices for testing.	Humidifiers	A device placed in the supply air stream for moisture evaporation and distribution. The device may require building steam or water, hot water, electricity, or gas to operate	Test with humidifiers in place but providing no humidification.	Electric Reheat Elements	Electric reheat elements and controls that are located downstream of the cooling coil that may heat the air using electrical power during the dehumidification process	Test with electric reheat elements in place but providing no heat.	Non-standard Power Transformer	A device applied to a high voltage load that transforms input electrical voltage to that voltage necessary to operate the load	Disable the non-standard power transformer during testing.	Chilled Water Dual Cooling Coils	A secondary chilled water coil added in the indoor air stream for use as the primary or secondary cooling circuit in conjunction with a separate chiller	Test with chilled water dual cooling coils in place but providing no cooling.	High-Effectiveness Indoor Air Filtration	Indoor air filters with greater air filtration effectiveness than Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 8 for ducted units and MERV 1 for non-ducted units	Test with the filter offered by the manufacturer with the least air filtration effectiveness that meets or exceeds MERV 8 for ducted units and MERV 1 for non-ducted units.

[88 FR 21841, Apr. 11, 2023]