Trane Chiller performance testing program Brochure

Chiller performance

testing program

Proven performance under your watchful eye

The proof is in the testing

“Our primary focus in new
HVAC systems is energy
management, and it is critical
to ensure that our systems will
perform as designed. Using
a witness performance test
gives us the documentation to
prove that we can operate as
designed.”
– Larry Hood, senior
construction manager
for Volusia County
Schools, Florida

“A witness performance test
confirms to our customers
what we say about our energy
efficiency and performance.
It is one great step towards
earning their trust.”
– Kelly Carlson, LEED
accredited professional,
Trane sales engineer

Ensuring performance

Computer selection programs predict chiller
performance based on laboratory testing.
Testing your chiller in the factory confirms that
the actual chiller performance matches the
predicted performance, and the results serve as
a benchmark during the commissioning process.
Factory testing also verifies the pre-installation
quality of the chiller, helping ensure a trouble­free startup.

AHRI Certified™

The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration
Institute (AHRI) developed Standard 550/590
to govern the certification and testing of
continuous loading and unloading of chillers.
AHRI defines the range and type of chillers
covered by Standard 550/590, but chillers
outside of this scope may still be tested in our
facility using the same procedure. Several times
a year, AHRI tests random production chillers to
verify that the predicted performance falls within
the defined tolerances.

Both the air-cooled and water-cooled test stands
in our Pueblo, Colorado chiller manufacturing
facility have been approved by AHRI for
certification testing. In fact, Trane was the first
chiller manufacturer to have an AHRI-approved
air-cooled test facility.

AHRI Standard 550/590

Chiller efficiency is measured under full load and
part load operation, and tests are conducted in
accordance with AHRI Standard 550/590. This
Standard defines the temperatures and flow rates
for loads of 100, 75, 50 and 25 percent. Each
point is tested, and then the Integrated Part
Load Value (IPLV) can be calculated.

However, a chiller’s performance depends not
only on these standard AHRI points, but on many
factors ranging from chilled water temperature to
outside weather.

Simulating your jobsite’s unique conditions in the
factory provides valuable insights into how you
can expect your chiller to perform once installed.

Although some manufacturers focus on IPLV
only, high efficiency at full load determines the
ability of the chiller to minimize the electrical
infrastructure required, and reduces the impact
of demand-based charges and real-time pricing
during peak periods. The full load efficiency
rating is required for buildings to comply with
most local codes. Both full load and IPLV ratings
are required for LEED® Energy and Atmosphere
(EA) credits.

More meaningful part load test data should be
based on the specific building type, location
and plant design, providing accurate part load
condenser temperatures based on the local
weather data. Understanding the ton-hours at
each of the part load points allows the customer
to more accurately estimate annualized energy use.

Adherence to AHRI tolerances

AHRI Standard 550/590 also defines the
allowable tolerances for performance tests
including:

• Flow rates ± 5 percent

• Leaving evaporator and entering condenser
water temperatures ± 0.5°F of target

• Air temperature +/- 1°F

• Voltage ± 10 percent of nameplate

• Frequency ± 1 percent of nameplate

• Water pressure drop — maximum of 1.15
times rated pressure drop at rated flow rate
OR rated pressure drop plus 2 feet of H2O,
whichever is greater.

• Tolerances for capacity and efficiency
vary depending on the full load evaporator
temperature difference and the load point

These tolerances apply to all standard AHRI tests.

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