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Refrigeration, air conditioning, and ventilation technology (testing laboratory)

Against the backdrop of rising energy costs and demands from the federal government to reduce CO2 emissions, energy conservation and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important. There is considerable potential to meet these demands in the fields of refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, and building services engineering.

Prüfhalle TÜV NORD: Wärmetauscher

ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratory for testing equipment such as air conditioning systems and heat exchangers

Against the backdrop of rising energy costs and demands from the German government to reduce CO2 emissions, energy saving and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important. There is considerable potential to fulfil these requirements in the fields of refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation technology as well as in building services engineering.

As a recognised and independent test laboratory, we offer a wide range of tests for refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation equipment and systems based on national and international standards and guidelines. Our test laboratory is accredited in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 .

Thanks to our modern, versatile testing technology in the newly built technical centre in Essen, we are able to carry out a wide range of different product tests.

Our test centre has been working for EUROVENT Certita Certification SAS (ECC) in Paris for more than 20 years. On behalf of this European certification organisation, we test the performance data of air conditioning technology devices. ECC relies on the technical expertise and decades of experience of the TÜV NORD test centre.

Refrigeration technology test mark

Competitive advantages through voluntary testing of devices

  • Testing the performance and energy efficiency of refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation technology appliances and their components can lead to a decisive competitive advantage over other manufacturers.
  • After a successful test, a certificate or the TÜV NORD test mark can be used effectively in advertising.
  • The result of the neutral test centre gives the planning engineers, architects or system operators the certainty that they can trust the performance specifications of the device manufacturers.

Would you like to receive a non-binding quote? Get in touch.

EU Directive 2010/31/EU

The EU Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, EPBD for short) was transposed into national law with the Energy Saving Act (EnEG) and the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) based on it with the stricter new version of 2015. These regulations require that the energy requirements of devices must be documented. In the case of ventilation and air conditioning systems, economic operation is determined in particular by efficient air delivery (SFP value) and the efficiency of heat recovery (heat recovery coefficient η). For air conditioning units with heat-transferring refrigerants, the COP value and the EER value take centre stage. These values indicate how much thermal energy is obtained through the use of electrical energy.

Hygiene inspections/hygiene tests in accordance with DIN 1946-4 and VDI 6022-1

Special design features are relevant for use in areas with specific hygiene requirements (e.g. hospitals, but also offices and other common rooms). We also test and confirm these as part of our tests. Based on the relevant standards DIN 1946-4 and VDI 6022-1, we test the suitability of appliances and appliance series for the purposes mentioned. For example, the materials and surfaces of the appliances must be designed in such a way that they prevent the adhesion of dirt and microbial growth and are easy to clean. The individual components such as filters, heaters, coolers, heat recovery, etc. also have to fulfil certain requirements in terms of materials, surface quality and other properties.

The tests are carried out in our laboratory in Essen and/or at your production site.

Central ventilation units (HVAC units)

A ventilation and air conditioning system(HVACsystem) is used to supply air to rooms (from offices and commercial buildings to swimming pools). The air is treated ("conditioned", i.e. heated, cooled, humidified or dehumidified) by the air handling unit in such a way that it is subsequently perceived as comfortable by the user of the respective premises. At the same time, exhaust air contaminated withCO2 or other substances is removed from the rooms and either treated again (recirculation mode) or discharged from the building. In order to utilise the energy contained in the exhaust air and simultaneously supply fresh air in the latter case, the devices contain a heat recovery system. This serves to keep the energy in the building and still enable air exchange.

Air handling units are therefore a key component in achieving the Paris climate targets while at the same time providing indoor air that is perceived as comfortable by people. However, their energy efficiency and compliance with the comfort limits depend on the correct design and interaction of the installed components. At TÜV NORD, we test precisely these performance criteria by setting up the units in the laboratory, equipping them with measuring devices and testing them at specified operating points under realistic conditions.

Our test bench in Essen

Research and development for the best air
Modern ventilation systems
Expert for refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation
Sustainable refrigeration technology
Quality assurance at the highest level
Zwei Techniker arbeiten an einer großen raumlufttechnischen Anlage, einer davon im geöffneten Wartungsbereich mit Filtereinsätzen.
Behind the scenes
Unsere Experten für Kälte, Klima und Lüftung
Innovation is teamwork

Our services for HVAC equipment

Air conditioning systems, heat exchangers and air handling units

  • Centralised ventilation units and their components
    (EN 13053, EN 1886)
  • Model boxes (housings of air handling units)
    (EN 1886)
  • Heat exchangers
    (EN 1216)
  • Heat recovery systems
    (EN 308)
  • Hygiene air conditioning units
    (DIN 1946-4, VDI 6022)
  • Comfort air conditioning units
    (EN 14511, EN 14825)
  • Precision air conditioning units
    (EN 14511, EN 14825)
  • Chillers (water- or air-cooled)
    (EN 378, EN 13771, EN 14511, EN 14825)
  • Heat pumps
    (EN 378, EN 13771, EN 14511, EN 14825)
  • Enclosure cooling units
    (DIN 3168, EN 14511)
  • Air duct elements, e.g. air tightness tests
    (EN 12237, EN 1507, EN 15727, EN 13180)
  • Throttle and shut-off elements in air distribution systems
    (EN 1751)
  • Noise emission
    (EN 12102, EN ISO 9614-2, EN ISO 3744, EN ISO 3745)

Technical data test benches

(2 test stands, each divided into two parts)

  • Size of the test chambers: 5.8 x 11.8 m; usable height 4 m, in some areas up to 6 m
  • Temperature range -10 to +65 °C
  • Heating/cooling capacity 0.3 to 200 kW
  • Air flow rate 0 to 27,000 m³/h
  • Water mass flow 0 to 21,000 kg/h
  • Humidification & dehumidification 0 to 80 kg/h (considerably higher latent outputs possible with rotary heat exchangers)
  • Max. electrical current consumption of the test objects: 125 A

Testing procedures DAkkS accreditations

Do you have any questions?

Please feel free to contact us.

TÜV NORD Systems

Kälte-, Klima-, Lüftungstechnik

Further information TÜV NORD Systems

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