Heat Pump KEYMARK

In winter, when temperatures are low, the soil and groundwater still contain a considerable amount of heat. Heat pumps are able to utilise these heat sources by raising the temperature level of the extracted heat which then can subsequently be used for heating houses.

A heat pump operates on the same principal as a refrigerator but in this case, however, the heating and not the cooling effect is utilised. It extracts heat at a low temperature level from an external source (soil, ground water or external air) and raises it to a higher level which may then be used for heating houses.

Today, there is a wide range of technically well-engineered heat pump products of various types available. These days, for planners, installation companies and users, it is becoming ever more difficult to select the correct product as externally there is very little to differentiate them. As the quality of the product effects to a large degree the service life of the product the correct purchase decision for the customer is financially important.

KEYMARK is the European quality mark for products and services. It stands for the voluntary tested, and at least every two years monitored, compliance of a product with the European standards and the specified requirements of the European certification scheme. In addition there is annual monitoring of the factory production control. DIN CERTCO is the first empowered certification body in Germany for awarding the KEYMARK and thus the contact partner for manufacturers and suppliers of heat pumps.

Advantage for manufacturers: Europe wide marketing by a uniform quality mark with the motto: Tested and certified once, accepted everywhere is the appropriate approach in a single European market!

The certification details and procedure are defined in a special European certification scheme, which was compiled jointly with the European Heat Pump Association (ehpa) and other European certification bodies. This cooperation provides for the largest possible acceptance, transparency and marketability of the KEYMARK-certification of heat pumps in Europe.

The following European standards and directives are contained within the testing and certification:

• DIN EN 14511-1 "Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages and heat pumps with electrically driven compressors for space heating and cooling - Part 1: Terms, definitions and classification"
• DIN EN 14511-2 "Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages and heat pumps with electrically driven compressors for space heating and cooling - Part 2: Test conditions"
• DIN EN 14511-3 "Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages and heat pumps with electrically driven compressors for space heating and cooling - Part 3: Test methods"
• DIN EN 14511-4 "Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages and heat pumps with electrically driven compressors for space heating and cooling - Part 4: Operating requirements, marking and instructions"
• DIN EN 14825 "Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages and heat pumps, with electrically driven compressors, for space heating and cooling - Testing and rating at part load conditions and calculation of seasonal performance"
• DIN EN 15879-1 "Testing and rating of direct exchange ground coupled heat pumps with electrically driven compressors for space heating and/or cooling - Part 1: Direct exchange-to-water heat pumps"
• DIN EN 12102 "Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages, heat pumps and dehumidifiers with electrically driven compressors for space heating and cooling - Measurement of airborne noise - Determination of the sound power level"
• DIN EN 12309 "Gas-fired sorption appliances for heating and/or cooling with a net heat input not exceeding 70 kW - Part 1: Terms and definitions"
• DIN EN 16147 "Heat pumps with electrically driven compressors - Testing and requirements for marking of domestic hot water units"
• Regulation (EU) No. 813/2013 for environmentally responsible design (eco-design) of space heating equipment and combined heating equipment.
• Regulation (EU) No. 814/2013 for environmentally responsible design (eco-design) of water heaters and hot water tanks.

Only those heat pumps are certified with "KEYMARK", that were successfully tested by a testing laboratory approved by DIN CERTCO, neutrally assessed and thus proofed their compliance with the relevant European standards and the KEYMARK certification scheme.

After a positive assessment result DIN CERTCO issues a certificate which is valid for 10 years. The registration number for a clear identification of the certified product has the following structure: 011-W000 which serves as protection against misuse of the mark.

On application the certificate may be extended, if necessary, by a further 10 years, provided the external control in the form of an annual check of the factory production control (FPC) as well as check test of the products has been successfully carried out every two years.