Review of laboratory and field methods to measure fan, pump, and chiller performance

Accurate evaluation of energy-efficiency improvements requires data on the measured performance of installed equipment. While manufacturers` data and laboratory performance measurements can be used for sizing and selecting equipment, the installed performance is often considerably different. Accurate estimates of efficiency improvement require in-situ field performance measurements. This paper reviews the standards and engineering literature for testing fans, pumps, and chillers for HVAC applications. While the test standards typically apply to laboratory experimentation, the engineering literature is rich with experience in field evaluation. The experience grows from utility demand-side management programs, government efforts to improve energy efficiency, and the general ability to provide extensive monitoring of building systems. However, each investigation generally applies a unique set of measurement protocols for testing and evaluating energy performance, and there have been few efforts to date to develop a common set of in-situ test methods for energy evaluation. As a result, ASHRAE recently completed Research Project 827 to develop such methods. An overview of the methods, specifically as they relate to existing procedures, is briefly presented.