AHRI performance certification
When suppliers of heat exchangers apply large sizing tolerances, it creates uncertainty about heat exchanger performance. However, there is a solution that can remove this uncertainty – AHRI performance certification – the only global third-party performance certification for plate heat exchangers.
Eliminate uncertainty about thermal performance in plate heat exchangers
For many years it has been a common practice in the plate heat exchanger industry to “adjust” or tweak heat duty calculations. Manufacturers manipulate calculations so that component costs can be minimized and a smaller plate heat exchanger can be offered at an attractive price. However, the result is that end customers get under-dimensioned heat exchangers, leading to higher system-wide energy use, higher operating costs and compromised environmental performance.
These “recalculations” make it harder to choose a heat exchanger that will provide the required performance and increase the risk that it will underperform. It creates uncertainty for everyone involved in recommending, selecting and using heat exchangers – consultants, specifiers and end customers – and undermines confidence in the industry as a whole. The degree of under-dimensioning has been growing year by year and it has become the plate heat exchanger industry’s biggest problem.
Certification ensures certainty about performance
There is one sure way to ensure certainty right from the start – AHRI performance certification.
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the only independent organization that certifies the performance of liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers globally. AHRI is a non-profit organization.
The AHRI Certification Program provides third-party verification of thermal performance – it gives independent assurance that the plate heat exchanger will perform in accordance with the manufacturer’s published ratings.
Checking the AHRI Certification Library is always recommended when designing projects.
Search the AHRI directory here.
The benefits of performance certification
The wider adoption of AHRI performance certification makes sense for all concerned:
- Realize reduced life cycle cost thanks to predictable, optimized performance
- Experience worry-free field commissioning and testing
- Gain peace of mind through verifiable component compliance and sizing
- Secure reliable performance data from a credible, third-party industry source
- Ensure ASHRAE and LEED compliance through a dependable energy efficiency standard
From every perspective, AHRI performance certification is better for everyone involved in the process of designing, producing, selecting and operating plate heat exchangers.
Alfa Laval has chosen to take an active role in promoting AHRI certification. We believe that performance certification is an important step in creating a sound plate heat exchanger market and benefits the industry as a whole.
For more information on AHRI certification, read the case for thermal performance certification and visit the official AHRI website.
AHRI certification programs:
AHRI in brief
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Product Performance Certification Program is a voluntary program, administered and governed by AHRI, which ensures that various types of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and water heating products perform according to manufacturers’ published claims.
Products that are certified through the AHRI Product Performance Certification Program are continuously tested by an independent third-party laboratory, at the direction of and contracted by AHRI, to determine the product’s ability to conform to one or more product rating standards or specifications.
AHRI certification at Alfa Laval:
Industry experts talk AHRI
When it comes to total cost of ownership, a properly sized plate heat exchanger promises more uptime and can save you up to 10x in operating costs over the lifetime of the equipment. AHRI certification ensures that your HVAC system will perform exactly as intended.
For an in-depth discussion of AHRI certification and its benefits for building owners, engineers and contractors, watch this video where our panel of experts explain the importance of AHRI certification, CAPEX vs. service implications of AHRI-certified equipment and the future of commercial HVAC regulations.
Join industry experts Anna Blomborg and Mårten Ahlm, as they explore the impact of under-sized and underperforming equipment at our AHRI webinar. They will identify the cost-free ways to ensure that the heat exchangers you purchase will deliver the heat transfer you need, under the conditions you face.
HVAC and Sustainable cities
Our cities play a crucial role in tackling the climate crisis. A considerable part of cities' energy consumption is for heating and cooling, which means improving energy efficiency is paramount. Alfa Laval has almost a century of experience in heat transfer and recovery and aims to become carbon neutral by 2030. Let us be your partner in the transformation to a sustainable tomorrow.
AHRI-certified, predictable performance
Alfa Laval AHRI-certified plate heat exchangers save energy in some of the world's most prestigious buildings. In this report, two noted experts tell you why AHRI certification is all about performance predictability. Bill Tritsis, AHRI Vice President, Certification, and Mitch Simpler, managing partner of JB&B, a leading US engineering firm, bring you a comprehensive view on certification and explain the intentions behind the launch of AHRI certification as a global standard and its impact on the engineering community.
