Air conditioners and heat pumps
EECA has been consulting on proposed changes to the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for heat pump/air conditioners. After negotiations with industry the recommended option has been identified as:
- increase the stringency of the heating MEPS only for units below 10kW capacity
- increase both the heating and cooling efficiencies for units above 10kW to align with Australian MEPS
- delay the introduction of MEPS for multi-split units until April 2014.
This option has been developed following consideration of submissions on three proposals. The first recommended aligning the MEPS stringency levels with Australia for all models and to introduce MEPS for multi split units. Submissions from the Heat Pump Suppliers Association advised that this would adversely impact of availability of smaller split units due to the cooling efficiency levels and a second proposal was consulted on. The second proposal recommended aligning the MEPS levels for heating only as heating was the primary purpose for heat pumps in New Zealand. However this proposal impacted on New Zealand's only manufacturer of large heat pumps/air conditioners, who requested more harmonization for economies of scale, so a third option has now been discussed with industry.
A decision has been made to increase the stringency of the heating MEPS only for units below 10kW capacity (i.e. the residential market that importers cater for), and increase both the heating and cooling efficiencies for larger units (i.e. as supplied by the local manufacturer).
Revised MEPS for heat pumps/air conditioners will be implemented on 1 April 2013 when the standard AS/NZS 3823.2:2011 will be incorporated into regulation. This Standard will include a New Zealand only amendment (Amendment A) that specifies the following revised MEPS levels for New Zealand
Heat pump/air conditioner MEPS levels in April 2013
| Product description | Current Cooling and Heating MEPS levels (AEER and ACOP) |
Proposed Cooling MEPS levels (AEER) |
Proposed Heating MEPS levels (ACOP) |
| Non-ducted unitary <10 kW |
2.84 | 2.84 | 3.10 |
| Non-ducted unitary 10 kW to < 19 kW |
2.75 | 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Non-ducted split <4 kW |
3.33 | 3.33 | 3.66 |
| Non-ducted split 4 kW to <10 kW |
2.93 | 2.93 | 3.22 |
| Non-ducted split 10 kW to <19 kW |
2.75 | 3.10 | 3.10 |
| Ducted < 10 kW |
2.75 | 2.75 | 3.10 |
| Ducted 10 kW to <19 kW |
2.75 | 3.10 | 3.10 |
| All 19 kW to 39 kW |
3.05 | 3.10 | 3.10 |
| All >39 kW |
2.75 | 2.90 | 2.90 |
Note: AEER is the cooling performance measured as Annualised Energy Efficiency Ratio.
ACOP is the heating performance measured as Annualised Coefficient of Performance.
Proposed Multi-split system MEPS levels in April 2014
| Multi split AC category | Cooling AEER and heating ACOP |
| Non-ducted multi-split <4 kW | 3.66 |
| Non-ducted multi-split 4 kW to < 10 kW | 3.22 |
| Non-ducted split 10 kW to <19 kW | 3.10 |
Consultation on three proposals took place between 9 May and 8 November 2012. The relevant discussion papers are available below:
- Download the heat pump decision document which sets out the reasons for the revised proposal and seeks comment on it.
- Download the original discussion document for revised minimum energy performance standards for air conditioners and heat pumps.
