Navigating Energy Labelling for Heat Pumps: Seasonal Calculations and EPREL Compliance

Back to main page

Securing an accurate EU energy label requires rigorous laboratory testing, verified seasonal calculations, and compliance with European Ecodesign and labelling directives. Independent test data from Danish Technological Institute ensures documented energy classes and mitigates the risk of market surveillance failure.

Under EU Regulation No 811/2013 and Ecodesign Regulation (EU) No 813/2013, space heaters and combination heat pumps placed on the European market must display an official energy efficiency label and be registered in the EPREL database. Because heat pump efficiency fluctuates depending on outdoor ambient temperatures and supply flow temperatures, energy labelling is determined by empirical performance mapped across standardised climate profiles.

The Heat Pump Test Laboratory at Danish Technological Institute provides ISO/IEC 17025 accredited testing to determine Seasonal Space Heating Energy Efficiency (η_s), heating capacity, and sound power levels (L_{W A}), establishing the documented foundation required for third-party certification and market access.

What Does the Heat Pump Energy Label Indicate?

The European energy label provides market authorities, specifiers, and purchasers with standardised, comparable performance metrics:

Deriving the Energy Label: From EN Standards to η_s

The declared energy efficiency class cannot be established through theoretical calculations alone. It relies on physical tests conducted according to harmonised European testing standards.

Energy Efficiency Class Thresholds

The seasonal space heating energy efficiency (η_s) determined in step 3 defines the product’s official energy label class. In accordance with EU Regulation No 811/2013, the thresholds are divided into low-temperature (35 °C) and medium-temperature (55 °C) applications as shown below:

Heat pumps that fail to clear the minimum Ecodesign baseline cannot receive an energy label or enter the market. Learn more about mandatory requirements in our Ecodesign Compliance Guide.         

Mandatory EPREL Registration and Compliance Rules

Compliance with the EU Energy Labelling framework is legally binding for European market access. Placing a space heater or combination heat pump on the market requires strict adherence to three regulatory mechanisms:

Mandatory EPREL Registration

Before placing a heat pump model on the EU market, manufacturers and authorised importers must register the model in the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) database. Registration requires uploading of the official energy label, product information fiches, as well as full technical compliance documentation and third-party test verification data.

Commercial Differentiation and Subsidy Qualification

While Energy Labelling categorises compliant products into efficiency classes, Ecodesign (Regulation EU 813/2013) defines the mandatory minimum efficiency baseline across the EU. European subsidy programmes, such as BAFA in Germany, CEE in France, and national heat pump grants across Scandinavia, require a verified minimum rating of A++ or A+++. Accredited test reports provide the empirical proof demanded by subsidy bodies.

Legal Liability and Market Surveillance Tolerances

Manufacturers are legally liable for all declared ratings. National market surveillance authorities regularly acquire production units to conduct independent verification tests. If the tested performance deviates beyond narrow regulatory verification tolerances (typically 8 % for seasonal efficiency and up to 2.0 dB for sound power levels), authorities enforce immediate sanctions:

• Mandatory downgrading of energy labels in EPREL
• Product loses qualification for national subsidy schemes
• Product recall orders, commercial bans, and administrative fines
• Civil liability and commercial compensation claims from end-users or distributors for non-delivered energy savings

Independent testing from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory establishes the documented, empirical buffer required to ensure that declared ratings remain compliant during official market surveillance audits. 

Commercial and Regulatory Value Across the Supply Chain

Verified energy labelling serves two distinct purposes: securing mandatory compliance under European directives and providing the empirical documentation required in performance-driven procurement:

Substantiating Environmental Claims with Empirical Data

Under current and incoming European regulations on environmental claims, efficiency and carbon-reduction claims must be supported by verifiable, empirical evidence rather than theoretical models.

Accredited ISO/IEC 17025 test reports from Danish Technological Institute provide independent, third-party data on key metrics such as Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) and Seasonal Space Heating Energy Efficiency (η_s). This gives manufacturers and distributors an objective, standardised technical baseline to substantiate product performance declarations and support compliant communication.

For an overview of European framework directives, CE requirements, and cross-product rules, explore our general guide to EU Ecodesign & Energy Labelling Compliance.

Meet Some of Our Experts

Accurate energy labelling requires precise laboratory measurements, validated seasonal calculations (η_s), and complete alignment with European EPREL requirements. When testing with Danish Technological Institute, you work directly with dedicated test engineers and regulatory specialists who follow your product throughout the entire process, from initial rig setup to final reporting.

Reach out to our team to discuss your energy labelling scope, verify seasonal calculations, optimise performance toward higher energy classes, or reserve testing capacity in our climate chambers.

Lasse Søe

Team Manager

Phone: +45 72 20 12 69

E-mail: las@teknologisk.dk

Lasse has overall responsibility for the team, the laboratory and its technical direction. He has more than 25 years of experience in refrigeration and heat pump technology, covering product testing, laboratory measurements, and market surveillance, as well as energy efficiency and the implementation of international standards. He is an expert in testing in accordance with international standards and has extensive experience with heat pumps, refrigeration systems, condensing units and related components for both public authorities and industry.

Preben Eskerod

Business Manager

Phone: +45 72 20 26 35

E-mail: pres@teknologisk.dk

Preben has worked in the energy sector for more than 20 years. He specialises in testing heat pumps as well as providing technical consultancy and product assessment. He is a member of national and international standardisation committees, and he is also a member of an international committee of test laboratories.

Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Labelling

If you have questions about energy labelling calculations, EPREL requirements, test tolerances, or the certification process, our FAQ provides a quick overview of key technical topics.

You can find answers to additional questions about heat pumps on our page Accredited Heat Pump Testing for Certification and European Market Access, and you are always welcome to contact our team to discuss your specific testing requirements using the contact information above or the form on the right.

Back to main page

INDSÆT FORMULAR TIL NYHEDSBREV UK