Choose an energy efficient and environmentally friendly heat pump
Today, all heating systems for private use must be EU energy labelled, and can also be included on a list of recommended products if required. The Flower (European) and the Swan (Nordic) eco-labels have also introduced new criteria for energy efficient systems.
Recommended list for heat pumps
The Danish Technological Institute produces a list of recommended heat pumps. Before a heat pump can be included on the list, the producer/importer must document that both the system and the production process meet a number of established quality requirements.
Please note that the list does not specify requirements for the efficiency of a system (COP) or the degree of efficiency on an annual basis. The Trust is introducing supplementary criteria to cover these issues.
EU energy labelling
Today, all air conditioning systems (for private use with cooling capacity not exceeding 12 kWh) in the EU require an energy label. Air conditioning systems that can be used as heat pumps (air-to-air), must also be energy labelled based on their efficiency as a heat pump.
EU energy labelling is based on several climate assumptions that do not match Nordic climate conditions. This means that an A-rated air-to-air heat pump does not necessarily guarantee a high level of energy efficiency in Denmark.
The European Flower and Nordic Swan
The Flower (EU) and Swan (Nordic) eco-labels have established criteria for heat pump systems, including requirements for energy efficiency.
Given that there is considerable climate diversity throughout Europe, the Flower and Swan organisations are therefore working with several climate zones. The label and the energy requirements will relate to the climate zone in which the heat pump will actually be used.
It is also important to evaluate the efficiency of a system in relation to the building in which the system is to be used to distribute heat and hot water. For this reason, a number of calculator tools have been developed to help installers and users to assess the suitability of an individual heat pump to a particular building.
Page last updated 06.09.2010