Temperzone R&D
A commitment to air conditioning innovation
Temperzone has recently extended its research laboratory capabilities with the opening of new test rooms, believed to be the largest in the southern hemisphere. The enhanced facility will help Temperzone maintain its position of product leadership and meet new government regulations in key markets.
Engineering air conditioning products that meet Australia’s specific needs is a high priority. Temperzone’s R&D Manager, Keith Edwards, explains that while most Australian air conditioning manufacturers were content to leave critical testing to third party test facilities, Temperzone prefers to do its testing in-house.
“In the long run it doesn’t only save us time, but also money,” says Edwards, “and we have total control over the whole process.”
Designed to meet new standards
In maintaining and upgrading its in-house Research & Development capabilities, Temperzone committed itself to meeting all current and anticipated standards. Perhaps the most widely publicised of these is the Australian MEPS (minimum energy performance standards) statute which raises the bar in energy efficiency. MEPS, along with revised building codes, has wide ranging implications for all air conditioning manufacturers and the new facility was specifically designed to deliver results acceptable to the Australian regulators.
Temperzone has not only used the facility to bring all its products into line with MEPS standards but also to ensure that equipment meets all state standards such as for Queensland. Along the way this has meant that many older designs have been replaced with more up to date, compliant products. At Temperzone this process of testing, evaluation and redesign is ongoing across our entire range.
“The new lab was built to test air conditioner heating and cooling duty performance to AS/NZS 3823 by the air enthalpy method and will also test airflow to BS848 Part 1,” says Edwards, adding “It’s not a small undertaking. Its possibly the largest local facility. The new 488 cubic metre test rooms represent a substantial investment and is a measure of the company’s confidence in the market.”
The new test facility is based around the philosophy that to design and build quality product you need to do more than just meet MEPS criteria you need to have accurate test results for all aspects of the equipment performance, including air flow, statics and EER.
A good example of this process is the ongoing development of our “DiGital” variable output products in the commercial part of our range. Currently commercial digital scroll, variable output models are available in our commercial split ducted and package units up to 43kW. We expect the R&D process will complete development of DiGital products across our entire commercial range in the near future. We are currently working on the development and testing of a 160kW DiGital roof top package. (The development of the new DiGital range will be covered in the next issue of Temperzone News)
Performance in any climate
By enhancing Temperzone’s testing capability, the new facility offers consumers the reassurance of knowing that their new air conditioning system will perform in the harshest conditions Australia’s climate can dish out. The cooling capacity of units up to 100kW can be assessed in a maximum ambient temperature of 56°C, while heating capacity testing of units up to 110kW can be assessed in temperatures down to 0°C in the main test room and a chilly -15°Cin a smaller test room. “It’s an impressive facility,” says Edwards, “with five test rooms in all. The two newest are both larger than any others that we know of in the region, which helps us stay ahead of the competition when developing new products designed for temperature extremes at both ends of the spectrum.”
To test air flow – a key measure in assessing energy efficiency, Temperzone conducts fan testing by venturi nozzle chambers of various sizes to BS848 Part 1. “It’s another important function of our internal testing operations,” says Edwards.
R&D for a greener future
“Whisper quiet is the aim, and Temperzone works tirelessly to achieve this objective
Temperzone’s ongoing commitment to R&D has led to several product innovations in recent years and reflects the company’s well-known focus on environmental issues. For example, Temperzone was one of the first major manufacturers to embrace the greener refrigerant R410, because it could test the results of product developments designed around the new refrigerant using its in-house research laboratories.
But the move to superior refrigerant is not the only environmental concern for Temperzone. The immediate environment of air conditioning consumers and their neighbours is also important. Temperzone’s research laboratories have a role to play here too. Temperzone conducts its own acoustic testing in a Reverberant Chamber which meets AS1217. Keith Edwards says that from a home owner’s point-of-view, they can choose Temperzone confident that it will not only tame the climate but also do so unobtrusively. “Whisper quiet is the aim, and Temperzone works tirelessly to achieve this objective,” says Edwards. As a result, many of Temperzone’s outdoor units have a separate insulated chamber for compressors and electrical equipment developed in the company’s research laboratories.
Tested figures, not calculated
These days, many consumers take a close look at the performance characteristics of products they are buying. Air conditioning is a typical example. But Keith Edwards issues a word of warning. “Temperzone’s ‘Customer Unit Selection’ computer program provides figures based on test results and combined with engineering design calculations, whereas some competitors rely purely on calculated figures alone. “It means you can be confident that Temperzone units will perform up to the claims made for them, because the figures are real, not estimates,” says Edwards.
A conservative approach that breeds confidence
Despite its extensive R&D capabilities, Temperzone’s approach to product development is in some ways unashamedly conservative. “We won’t rush new products onto the market,” says Edwards, “so customers can be confident that the air conditioning system they are buying has been thoroughly tested to meet Australian conditions and standards.” Temperzone air conditioners are built to last, which includes coping with the unexpected. Among the important developments in recent years have been electronic warning systems designed to alert homeowners of any problem and protect the unit from damage.
“We’re proud of our internal research and testing capabilities,” says Keith Edwards, “and with our new test rooms, we have the facilities we need to maintain Temperzone’s reputation for innovation and reliability.”
