Ecodesign requirements for air handling units
Since 1 January 2016, the Ecodesign Directive has set specific requirements for the performance of ventilation units. These requirements apply to all EU countries.
Find yours the directive here - where requirements are described in detail.
NRVU and RVU units
The requirements are divided into two main categories:
NRVU stands for Non-Residential Ventilation Unit, while RVU stands for Residential Ventilation Unit. Don't be confused by the use of the word residential as part of the definition. It is only the air volume that determines whether a unit is categorised as NRVU or RVU, not the area of application – see below.
*regardless of applicationarea with the exception of process ventilation (read more about this under NRVU units).
Rules for NRVU units
NRVU units are units with a nominal airflow above 1000 m³/h.
Directives
The requirements of the Ecodesign Directive primarily concern:
Fan power consumption (SFP)
The performance of the heat recovery used
Although the definition of the limit values for power consumption is somewhat complex, the minimum requirements for heat recovery are clearly defined and determined as follows:
From 2018: Plate heat exchangers at least 73%, but liquid-coupled batteries only 68%
As mentioned, the directive also sets requirements for the specific electricity consumption (SFP). This is described in a formula that depends on a number of factors – including the actual temperature efficiency.
VEX overview
To make it clear and easily accessible, EXHAUSTO has prepared a table with calculations based on a nominal operating point and reproduced the result as table values. This table contains data for the compact VEX programme. Find a link to the VEX overview at the bottom of the page.