This report details the second phase of the residential heat pump efficiency rating representativeness study conducted by DNV and UNL (the research team) for Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships. The study is part of an effort to modernize lab-based test procedures and energy efficiency ratings used to predict the in-field efficiency of heat pumps by ensuring that ratings are representative of in-field efficiency.
Lab-based performance ratings provide critical information to the market for the development, sales, and selection of heat pump systems, so it is essential that they are representative of real-world performance. With the emergence of variable speed heat pumps that rely on proprietary controls to manage the systems operation and efficiency, the representativeness of existing test procedures that determine performance under fixed speed conditions have come under increased scrutiny.
Energy efficiency programs also have a keen interest in representative performance ratings to ensure incentive investments are achieving expected savings. Representative test procedures and ratings enable the adoption of high efficiency heat pumps across North America, commonly identified as an essential step toward decarbonizing homes and businesses.