KEYMARK certificate for heat pumps – uniformity of the certification system and development prospects

uniformity of the certification system and development prospects

The undoubted worldwide success of the KEYMARK-based certification system for thermal solar collectors has strongly influenced decisions to extend the programme to a new product type and to regulate the heat pump market. Europe is aiming for uniformity of certification systems, and the KEYMARK mark that has been developed – thanks to clear procedures, certification criteria, growing recognition and widespread use – helps increase consumer safety and trust.

KEYMARK certificate for heat pumps is a voluntary European quality mark whose possession demonstrates product conformity with European standards for heat pumps. Experience with many certification procedures shows that a unified system makes it easier for consumers to navigate the equipment market and helps eliminate poor-quality products from the market. For manufacturers, product certification is an opportunity to increase brand prestige and recognition. This article summarises the background to the introduction of the KEYMARK system on the heat pump technology market. The aim was to provide market participants with a concise overview of the scope and reasons for creating this certification system, as well as the benefits arising from it – from the perspective of end users and manufacturers.

The heat pump market in Europe

Over the past decade, energy saving and the related protection of the natural environment have become one of the most important topics guiding the development of energy technologies. Depending on the climate in which they live, end users increasingly have to consider new alternative ways of heating or cooling rooms. Energy saving and related environmental protection have therefore become one of the most important trends currently directing the development of energy technologies. This is also linked to legal regulations appearing in individual countries in response to climate change. Without detailed analysis it can be stated that traditional methods of space heating are still widely used in Poland. However, growing environmental awareness, new technical requirements, and investors’ search for more efficient and economic solutions have caused a significant increase in interest in heat pumps. Compared with central heating boilers or electric heating, heat pump technology is a more efficient and environmentally friendly system for providing the right room temperature. In addition, in recent years coal-fired boiler heating has been identified as a main cause of catastrophic air pollution. This has led heat pump technology to gain a dominant position in the sales market for air-conditioning and heating equipment. More than 14 million heat pump systems are currently installed in Europe, of which more than 209 thousand are in Poland (data for 2019). The popularity of this solution stems from heat pumps meeting climate targets for reducing CO2 and particulate emissions to the atmosphere, and is also driven by economic considerations, subsidy programmes for replacing heat sources with more efficient and ecological ones, and the creation of local jobs as the system becomes more popular. Since 2014 the European heat pump market has recorded double-digit annual growth (e.g. 12% in 2016 and 12% in 2017), and this is expected to continue (Figure 1). More than one million units are added to the market each year. Data for the Polish market also confirm a linear increase in interest in this type of space heating. Figure 1: Development of heat pump sales in Europe in 2008–2019. Detailed data are available on the website

What is the KEYMARK certification programme for heat pumps?

The popularity of heat pumps is also linked to the implementation and continuous development of specific series of standards such as EN 14511, EN 15879 and EN 16147, as well as the European KEYMARK certification system for heat pumps (Heat Pump Keymark, HP Keymark), which is gradually being recognised by successive countries in Europe. Like the certification system for thermal solar collectors, which has become the most important certification system worldwide, it is based on the assumptions of the European Committee for Standardization CEN KEYMARK system. The initiative to create a common European quality mark for heat-pump-based systems was taken by the European heat pump industry in cooperation with certification bodies BRE from the United Kingdom, DINCERTO from Germany and SP CERT from Sweden in 2015. After months of work on the certification assumptions and procedures, the programme was approved and implemented.

Fig. 2. KEYMARK programme mark

The heat pump certification system is based on external product type tests for performance and safety, as well as regular inspections and verification of the quality management systems of the manufacturing plant. To avoid yet another set of divergent rules, product safety requirements are based on European standard EN 14511-4, while performance requirements correspond to those set by Ecodesign for space heaters, combination heaters, water heaters and small air conditioners (Regulations 206/2012/EU, 813/2013/EU and 814/2013/EU). The list of product types that can be certified under the programme procedures is:

• heat pump space heaters supplying heat to water-based central heating systems for space heating;
• combination heat pump heaters supplying heat to central heating systems and domestic hot water;
• heat pump water heaters used to supply domestic hot water;
• equipment with a heating capacity of up to 400 kW.

In addition, in response to demand and development of the heat pump market, certification has been extended with appropriate rules and test procedures for:

• air-to-air heat pumps and air conditioners ≤ 12 kW (2017);
• gas heat pumps, hybrid heat pumps and hybrid combination heat pumps (2019).

The heat pump certification system is not closed. Regular meetings of management and bodies participating in the programme enable changes to be introduced and rules to be extended to new product types.

How does the certification process work?

The certification process is the result of cooperation between three neutral parties: an independent and accredited certification body and its partners responsible for testing and inspection. The certification process is shown schematically in Figure 3. Fig. 3. Stages of the certification process under the KEYMARK programme for heat pumps Certification and approval are based on demonstrating product conformity with the relevant standards and requirements, according to the certification scheme adopted by the given certification body, which includes:

1. verification of the applicant’s production processes (factory production control by an authorised inspector);
2. verification of the technical documentation submitted with the application for product certification
3. results of independent tests conducted by an authorised testing institute.

Certification bodies (approved by KEYMARK management) can be found on the project website. The testing laboratory plays an important role here in product testing and production monitoring. After the required tests have been performed in accordance with the KEYMARK document, the test report prepared by the testing laboratory is the leading document for assessing conformity with the data submitted by the applicant. In addition, the assumptions of the certification programme require tests to be repeated after a period of two years (KEYMARK document, Annex A, Chapter 3.2). After successful completion of the verification activities, manufacturers/distributors receive a certificate valid for 10 years, which may be extended for a further 10 years provided that the next inspection shows that the prerequisites at the time of applying for the certificate continue to be met. The certificate is granted for each certified subtype. One certificate may cover several models. Data of the certificate holder and the certified product(s) are reported on the website.

What are the benefits of the KEYMARK certificate for heat pumps and the development prospects of the programme?

The motto of the certification programme is: “once tested and certified, accepted everywhere” and refers to clear test and production control procedures as well as acceptance of the certificate in European countries. By applying a consistent certification concept it provides a solid tool for ensuring appropriate quality of heat pumps available on the European market. The programme assumptions do not exclude new technological solutions or existing certification programmes, setting a transitional period for adapting rules and adapting equipment to new regulations, as was the case with gas and combination heat pumps.

Does the KEYMARK programme represent a new quality in certification?

The heat pump certification system is a step towards unification of certification systems, as a result of which a single certificate will be issued for one European market. In the future, obtaining a KEYMARK certificate for a heat pump may be a requirement for granting public subsidies in Europe. Undoubtedly the strength of the certificate will be its reach. It is a relatively young system, but based on a proven solution. It is currently recognised in several EU Member States, and the number of participating countries is constantly growing. The KEYMARK programme ensures the independence of the certificate. When choosing a product, users focus not only on heat pump performance but also on its reliability. Independent certification helps with the purchasing decision and gives consumers confidence that they have bought a high-quality product.

Summary

On the international market, common standards and certification systems play an important role for a free market of high-quality products without technical barriers to trade. This is visible in Europe, where common European standards and the CEN KEYMARK programme for heat pumps constitute a significant opportunity for the development of a large and open European market for high-quality heat pumps. In turn, heat pumps open up possibilities for designing efficient solutions to meet European climate and energy targets. Just as the Solar Keymark certificate has become the key for manufacturers to the European market, the Keymark certificate for heat pumps has a chance of becoming a widely used heat pump certification system in Europe and of increasing access to this market for equipment manufacturers. Currently the only certification body in Poland authorised to award the HP KEYMARK mark is the certification department of Central Refrigeration Centre COCH in Kraków. Equipment tests in accordance with the requirements of the certification programme can be carried out in the independently operating accredited Refrigeration Laboratory.

Article prepared by:

Dorota NIEDOJADŁO, Damian CHLEBDA, Bogdan SZCZEPAŃSKI

REFERENCES:

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