The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality (SASO) published a new standard of Commercial Air Conditioners – Minimum Energy Performance Requirements and Testing Requirements, SASO 2874:2016 on Mar. 3rd, 2017. Different MEPS requirements are defined for different types of air conditioners. The standard will enter into force six months from the date of publication.

1. Scope

This Standard specifies the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) and testing requirements for air conditioners of the following main product categories:

• Electrically operated air conditioners
• Condensing units
• Chillers
• Absorption Chillers
• Electrically operated variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioners
• Close control air conditioners and condensing units serving computer rooms

It shall apply to air conditioners designed to operate in AC single-phase circuits of 220V or 230V, or designed for dual voltage or voltage range including these values, and three-phase circuits of 380V or 400v with a frequency of 60 Hz. Air-conditioners having special voltages, not under the scope of this standard, shall be subject to SASO approval, in condition that they do not exceed 660V. For water-cooled chillers voltages up to 15000v are included.

2. Testing conditions

• For water cooled system, the testing conditions are presented in the relevant standards for each type of air-conditioners.
• For room computers and data processing air conditioners testing conditions are defined in SASO 2874.
• For all other units shall be tested under the T1 and T3 testing conditions at full load and maximum operating testing at 52°C.

3. Registration

1. Path A- Product using the AHRI certification program
   The product/products submitted for registration shall present a valid AHRI certification covering the model/models registered. If a product fails AHRI certification or if its certification is removed, the product registration will be automatically canceled.
   Operability at 52°C is verified by test or based on self-declaration.
2. Path B- Product using test report as evidence of the declared performances
1. A test report, per product, from an accredited laboratory shall be presented for registration.
   This test report shall include results for cooling capacity and EER ant T1 and T3.
   Operability at 52°C is verified by test or based on self-declaration.
2. Test for one sample is sufficient.
3. The tolerances of tested effective power input, cooling capacity and EER (or NsensCOP) shall be no more than 5%.  Tested EER (or NsensCOP) shall be no less than MEPS.

4. Market surveillance

1. Using Path A for registration
   SASO will check periodically if the AHRI certification is still valid.
2. Using Path B for registration
   The product shall be tested based on the corresponding standards as registered through SASO system. One sample will be tested.  The tolerances of tested effective power input, cooling capacity and EER (or NsensCOP) shall be no more than 5%.  Tested EER (or NsensCOP) shall be no less than MEPS.

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