Quality Certificate For Energy Efficient Building Automation

To verify energy efficiency eu.bac, the European Building Automation and Controls association, has developed the first Europe wide test and certification program for the range of electronic single room controllers. The test, based on the adherence to European standard EN15500, is offered by independent testing institutes and includes inspections of the production plant.



40% of all energy consumption in Europe comes from supplying electricity and heat to buildings. Through the use of building automation systems energy consumption can be effectively reduced. With optimised metering and control technology energy efficiency of heating, ventilation and hot water systems, e.g. in commercial buildings, can be increased up to 25%.



The highest potential to save energy comes from the use of demand orientated, electronic single room controllers which monitor radiator/heating, fan coils, ceiling coolers, and electric heaters. Requirements of these control devices and their accurate functioning are fixed in the European standard EN15500. Based on this standard the industry association awards products after they pass the test at an independent testing institute and after the successful production plant inspection the eu.bac certification label (see figure).



Building automation products with this certification label stand for proven quality and energy efficiency according to the European standards and international testing directives. eu.bac, its accredited certifiers and test institutes in France, the United Kingdom and Germany founded the certification program and testing has already begun.



All tested single room controllers have on average 4 times better control accuracy as the European standard requires. Thus the eu.bac certification mark stands for quality and energy efficiency. Several applications for more certifications are pending. At present, further tests for sensors, actuators, outside temperature compensated control equipment for water and electrical heating devices (OTC's) and optimisers are being prepared. Certification testing will be available in 2008. The eu.bac certification program is open to all providers of building automation products. Interested companies can apply for eu.bac certification through the Certification Management System (CMS).