Within any industry, it is always important to keep on top of industry legislation and the updates and changes to them. Just as in 2014 when almost 25 new updates and pieces of health and safety legislation were published, it is proof that they can be sprung onto a business’s structure at any time. Just as in manufacturing and energy related industries, the benchmark is high, and here at Heritage Heating and Cooling, we like to keep on top of all changes, and most of all, keep you informed. So, what is this new legislation and when is it coming into play?
How Important is Keeping on Top of Legislation?
It is extremely important for any business to be current with legislation changes, and while it can be time-consuming and sometimes complex, it is of utmost importance for keeping a business alive and thriving. On one hand, there can be numerous repercussions if a company does not comply with legislation, whereas from a customer’s point of view, it shows dedication, expertise and commitment to the trade.
Developing your understanding of your businesses legislation needs can help you to earn trust and respect of employees, customers, and other businesses. You can make better decisions, spot current threats and possible opportunities, which can give you a competitive edge as it adds value to your business. By not complying with legislation you may receive negative publicity, fines and even criminal prosecution and closure of a business.
What is the New Cooling Legislation?
The Eco Design Directive governs all energy related products- this includes all chillers, coolers and air conditioning systems. They are set to impose a new strict Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) for industrial process cooling systems which is due to come into place at the start of next year.
The new benchmark for these products will be its Seasonal Energy Performance Ratios (SEPR) These have been set and calculated as the ratio between the annual electricity consumption and its demand of annual refrigeration.
This new legislation outlines the minimum requirements, which will affect most products within the manufacturing process, falling into Lot 1 and Lot 21 (Lot 1 consisting of refrigeration and freezing equipment, and lot 21 including high temperature process chillers and condensing units).
Richard Metcalfe, Sales Director at ICS Cool Energy has quoted in relation to the changes:
“The upcoming changes to the Ecodesign Directive outlines stringent new minimum SEPRs for process cooling equipment, which many manufacturers may not be aware of. For example, a high temperature air-cooled chiller with a power rating of <400kW must have an SEPR of 4.5; and those with a power rating >400kW will need to have an SEPR of 5. Come January 2021, these requirements will become even tighter, changing to minimum SEPRs of 5 and 5.5 respectively”
“As such, many of the industrial cooling products currently in operation today will not meet the 2018 requirements. While manufacturers are not obliged to remove pre-existing non-compliant chillers, the long-term cost of running them is likely to be far greater than investing in a high-efficiency solution given the energy savings it is likely to bring.”
How Can You Get Ahead?
Process cooling and refrigeration systems as such account for around 60% of a business’s total lifecycle cost, and when a product is inefficient, it can contribute to a higher inflated bill, and consequently can affect the company’s structure and running.
By making sure your products related to these cooling changes are in tip-top condition and have been recently maintained and had a routine check-up, you can make sure your systems are efficient enough to comply. Manufacturers are being urged to get ahead for these changes and upgrade the process cooling systems before the update comes into effect from January 1st, 2018. There is no better time to get your systems in order. A new year, and new and upgraded products.
Many products currently in operation now will not meet these new requirements, and while manufacturers aren’t obliged to change their systems completely or remove the already existing chillers, a business can ultimately save in the long term of running the products, and the costs can be far greater than if they don’t invest in a higher efficient solution. On the other hand, many manufacturers may already be complying with these 2018 standards.
Some may say that process cooling equipment has gone under the radar in recent years, but it’s about to be put right in the spotlight. Here at Heritage Heating and Cooling we urge industrial-end users to take these up and coming changes into consideration, get ahead and ensure they embrace the new. Not only can it lead to a reduction in running costs, but it can ensure a smooth, efficient and sustainable operation within your business.
If you would like to know more regarding the efficiency of our products, you can easily get in touch with our team over the phone, email, or via our simple contact form.
