Performance Evaluation of Heat Pump Systems Based on a Load-based Testing Methodology

Conference Year

2018

Authors

Parveen Dhillon, Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, Purdue University, United States of AmericaFollow
Akash Patil, Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, Purdue University, United States of AmericaFollow
Li Cheng, Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, Purdue University, United States of AmericaFollow
James E. Braun, Purdue University - Main CampusFollow
W. Travis Horton, Purdue UniversityFollow

Keywords

Load-based testing, Ratings Standard, SEER

Abstract

This paper presents results of testing variable-speed heat pumps using a new load-based testing methodology that is described in a companion paper. The testing methodology involves emulating the response of a building’s sensible and latent loads to equipment controls by dynamically adjusting the temperature and humidity setpoints of the psychrometric chamber reconditioning system using a simple building model. The advantage of this approach over existing testing approaches specified in ratings standards is that it considers the interaction of the integrated controls with the equipment. As a result, it better captures the full range of part-load operation and the benefits of improved controls. This paper presents performance results for application of the automated load-based testing methodology to different variable-speed residential heat pump systems. In order to assess the benefits of load-based testing versus existing standards, tests were also conducted based on AHRI 210/240 and seasonal performance estimates are compared using data obtained with the two testing approaches.