INDUSTRY
Simulation software to test air conditioners
What you need to know.
Did you know...
That the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Regulator can approve the use of simulation software to generate performance test data for certain types of air conditioners subject to GEMS regulations?
These simulated test results can be submitted as part of a product’s GEMS registration instead of the usual physical testing data.
Testing an air conditioner using a software simulation can be much more efficient and cost effective for businesses when dealing with large air conditioners (above 30 kW), or for low sale volume models (such as less than 10 sold each year).
The following table summarises the software currently approved to generate test results for GEMS registrations.
|
Software |
Type of air conditioner |
Rated capacity |
|---|---|---|
|
Coil Designer Vap Cyc (Optimised Thermal Systems) |
Ducted single-split Ducted unitary |
≥30 kW |
|
Emerson Climate Technologies System |
Ducted single-split Ducted unitary Non-ducted single-split Non-ducted unitary Single-split outdoors |
>0 kW |
| Lennox Sysim v10.3.0 or later |
Ducted unitary |
<65 kW |
|
TechniSolve RefSim v1.2 or later |
Ducted single-split Ducted unitary Non-ducted single-split Non-ducted unitary |
>39 kW |
| Unilab Shark v2.5 and later |
Ducted single-split Ducted unitary |
≥30 kW |
What air conditioners are eligible for software simulation?
For air conditioners with a rated standard cooling full capacity or, for heating‑only products, a rated standard heating full capacity, of 30kW or greater, simulation software made only be used for models that are not single duct or water-to-air air conditioners.
For air conditioners with a capacity of less than 30 kW, simulation software may only be used for models:
- for which there have or will be less than 10 units sold in the financial year the registration is made and in each subsequent financial year, and
- are not single duct, double duct or water-to-air air conditioners.
It’s important to note that test simulation software must not be used:
- to test noise (sound power)
- to test average true power factor, or
- to conduct the tests referred to in subsections 8(3) and (4) of Schedule 2 at H2 or H3 temperature conditions of the GEMS (Air Conditioners up to 65kW) Determination 2019.
More information
For more information about the GEMS requirements for using simulated testing data, refer to Schedule 2, subclause 3 of the GEMS (Air Conditioners up to 65kW) Determination 2019 and Part 3, subsection 13 of the GEMS (Air Conditioners above 65kW) Determination 2020.
If there’s a simulation software package that you would like the GEMS Regulator to consider approving to generate testing data, complete and submit the simulation software package authorisation request form.
If you have any questions, contact us.