AHRI OM 210 User manual

UNITARY SMALL AIR-CONDITIONERS
AND AIR-SOURCE HEAT PUMPS
(INCLUDES MIXED-MATCH COILS)
(RATED BELOW 65,000 BTU/H)
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
2111 Wilson Blvd, Suite 500
Arlington, Virginia 22201
[phone]
AHRI OM 210/240 –JANUARY 2017
Sponsored and administered by:

Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2017, by Air-Conditioning, Heating,
and Refrigeration Institute
Registered United States Patent and Trademark Office
PREFACE
The following manual outlines the procedures and policies of the Performance Certification Program for
AHRI Unitary Small Air-Conditioners (including mixed-match coils) (USAC) and the AHRI Unitary Small Air-
Source Heat Pumps (including mixed-match coils) (USHP) operated by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and
Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). This manual is to be used in conjunction with the AHRI General Operations
Manual for AHRI Certification Programs. Where the AHRI General Operations Manual and this product-
specific manual differ, this product-specific operations manual shall prevail.
The revision of this manual supersedes all previous revisions. The current edition of this manual, as well
as the AHRI General Operations Manual, can be accessed through the AHRI website, www.ahrinet.org.
The USAC and USHP Certification Program by AHRI provides for independent verification of the USAC
and USHP manufacturers’stated equipment performance. Safety criteria are not within the scope of this
program.
Participation in the program is voluntary. Any manufacturer, regardless of AHRI membership, may obtain
approval of Program Ratings and use of the AHRI USAC and USHP Certification Marks hereinafter referred
to as the “Marks”. The Marks are the Participant’s public representation that the ratings of randomly
selected units have been verified by an independent laboratory in accordance with test procedures
prescribed by this operations manual. A Certification Agreement is executed between the manufacturer
and AHRI specifying the conditions under which such Ratings and the Mark may be used. No manufacturer
has the right to use Program Ratings or to state that their products have been tested in conformance with
the procedures outlined in this Rating Procedure unless and until they have received written authority from
AHRI to use the Marks as applied to the specific approved Program Ratings.
This Operations Manual has been prepared to assure that administration of the program is carried out in a
uniform manner. It is an amplification of the license agreement signed by licensees and AHRI. General
information, procedural details, and copies of forms are included in this Operations Manual. Provisions of
the Operations Manual may be amended as provided in the Certification Agreements.
This certification program complies with requirements of the ISO/IEC Standard 17065:2012, General
Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems.
Note:
This manual supersedes the AHRI Unitary Small Air-Conditioners (including mixed-match coils) and AHRI
Unitary Small Air-Source Heat Pumps (including mixed-match coils) Certification Program Operations
Manual, USE OM March 2015.

USAC (INCLUDING MIX-MATCH COILS) AND USHP (INCLUDING MIX-MATCH
COILS) CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
1 Program Overview
1.1 Applicable Rating Standard ..........................................................................................1
1.2 Product Definitions........................................................................................................1
1.2.1 Air-Source Unitary Heat Pump............................................................1
1.2.2 Independent Coil Manufacturer (ICM) ................................................1
1.2.3 Indoor Unit...........................................................................................1
1.2.4 Outdoor Unit........................................................................................1
1.2.5 Single Packaged System....................................................................1
1.2.6 Split System........................................................................................1
1.2.7 System Manufacturer..........................................................................1
1.2.8 Unitary Air-Conditioner........................................................................1
1.3 Program Scopes ...........................................................................................................1
1.3.1 Unitary Small Air-Conditioner (and Mix-Matched Coils)
Certification Program (USAC).............................................................1
1.3.2 Unitary Small Air-Source Heat Pumps (and Mix-Matched Coils)
Certification Program (USHP).............................................................2
1.3.3 Program Distinction.............................................................................2
1.3.4 Exceptions...........................................................................................2
1.4 Intended Market............................................................................................................2
1.5 Basic Model Groups (BMGs)........................................................................................2
1.5.1 System Manufacturer BMG Criteria....................................................2
1.5.1.1 Determination of BMGs for Calculating the
Number of Tests (System Manufacturer)..................2
1.5.2 ICM BMG Criteria................................................................................2
1.5.2.1 Determination of ICM BMG Coil Capacity Range
for Calculating the Number of Tests.........................2
1.6 NAECA Compliance......................................................................................................2
2 Qualification Process
2.1 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Applicants....................................................3
STEP 2.1.1 Certification Application Package .......................................................3
STEP 2.1.2 Processing Application Package ........................................................3
STEP 2.1.2.1 Performance Certification Agreement for Original
Equipment Manufacturer (OEM Agreement)............3
STEP 2.1.2.2 Participation and Licensing Fee Invoice...................3
STEP 2.1.3 Selection and Acquisition of Test Samples.........................................3
STEP 2.1.3.1 Number of Qualification Tests ..................................3
STEP 2.1.3.2 Acquisition of Qualification Test
Samples/Selection Criteria .......................................4
STEP 2.1.4 Qualification Testing ...........................................................................4
STEP 2.1.4.1 Operating Tests ........................................................4
STEP 2.1.4.2 Successful Completion of All Qualification Tests .....4
STEP 2.1.4.3 First Sample Qualification Test Failure.....................4
STEP 2.1.4.4 Second Sample Qualification Test Failure................4
STEP 2.1.5 Welcome to the Program....................................................................4

2.2 Private Brand Marketer (PBM) Applicants....................................................................4
STEP 2.2.1 Certification Application Package .......................................................5
STEP 2.2.2 Processing Application Package ........................................................5
STEP 2.2.2.1 Performance Certification Agreement for Private
Brand Marketer (PBM Agreement)...........................5
STEP 2.2.2.2 OEM Agreement on Behalf of the PBM Applicant....5
STEP 2.2.2.3 Licensing Fee Invoice...............................................5
STEP 2.2.3 Welcome to the Program....................................................................5
3 Equipment Selection and Testing
3.1 Annual Testing Requirement ........................................................................................5
3.1.1 System Manufacturers........................................................................5
3.1.1.1 Basis for System Manufacturer Test Selections.......5
3.1.2 ICM......................................................................................................5
3.1.2.1 Basis for ICM Test Selections...................................5
3.1.2.2 Additional ICM Testing..............................................5
3.2 Location of Test.............................................................................................................6
3.2.1 Duties of Third-Party Laboratory Personnel .......................................6
3.2.2 LEAP Requirement.............................................................................6
3.3 Selection of Test Samples............................................................................................6
3.3.1 Selection Requirements for Annual Testing .......................................6
3.4 Methods for Acquiring Test Samples............................................................................6
3.4.1 Selecting Three Additional Units.........................................................6
3.5. Sample Acquisition Timeframe.....................................................................................6
3.6 System Manufacturer’s Required Equipment Provisions..............................................7
3.7 ICM’s Required Equipment Provisions .........................................................................7
3.8 Break-in Operation of Test Units...................................................................................7
3.9 Certified Data................................................................................................................7
3.9.1 Unitary Small Air-Conditioners (Systems and Mixed-Match Coils),
Air-Cooled under 65,000 Btu/h [19,000 W].........................................7
3.9.2 Unitary Small Air-Conditioners (Systems and Mixed-Match Coils),
Water Cooled and Evaporatively Cooled
under 65,000 Btu/h [19,000 W]...........................................................7
3.9.3 Unitary Small Air-Source Heat Pumps
(Systems and Mixed-Match Coils), Air-Cooled
under 65,000 Btu/h [19,000 W]...........................................................7
3.10 Tests, Air-Conditioning (Systems and Mix-Matched Coils)...........................................8
3.11 Tests, Heat Pumps (Systems and Mix-Matched Coils) ................................................8
3.12 EERAVerification Test ..................................................................................................8
3.13 IEER Test......................................................................................................................8
3.14 Default Factors –Systems............................................................................................8
3.15 DOE “C” and “D” Tests..................................................................................................8
3.16 High Temperature Heating Cyclic Test.........................................................................8
3.17 Outdoor Unit Qualification for ICM Testing...................................................................8
3.17.1 Definitions ...........................................................................................8
3.17.1.1 Qualified Unit ............................................................8
3.17.1.2 Unqualified Unit.........................................................8
3.17.1.3 Disqualified Unit........................................................9
3.17.2 Qualified Units Testing........................................................................9
3.17.3 Challenging a Qualified Condenser/Non-Qualified Condenser ..........9
3.17.4 Fees....................................................................................................9
3.18 Test Failures .................................................................................................................9
3.18.1 Certified Rating Test Failures –Systems ...........................................9
3.18.1.1 First Sample Certified Rating Test Failure................9
3.18.1.2 Option to Save HSVTC and Remaining
BMG Ratings.............................................................9
3.18.1.3 Test Sampling Plan Failure.....................................10
3.18.2 Certified Rating Test Failures –ICMs...............................................10

3.18.2.1 First Sample Certified Rating Test Failure..............10
3.18.2.2 Test Sampling Plan Failure.....................................10
3.18.2.3 Alternate Outdoor Unit Failures ..............................10
3.18.3 Test Additional Samples Option .......................................................11
3.18.3.1 Following a First Sample Failure ............................11
3.18.3.1.1 Statistical Analysis Procedure ......12
3.18.4 Re-Rate Following Test Additional Sample ......................................12
3.18.4.1 Re-Rate Following First Additional Test
“Second Sample” ....................................................12
3.19 NAECA and Energy Policy Act (EPACT) Re-rating Requirements. ...........................13
3.20 Test Sample Refrigerant Charge ................................................................................13
3.21 Consequences for Improper Ratings ..........................................................................13
3.21.1 Double Selection Mode Requirements .............................................13
3.21.2 Probation Mode Requirements.........................................................13
3.21.3 Penalty Mode Requirements.............................................................13
4 Challenge Tests
4.1 System Manufacturer Challenges...............................................................................13
4.2 ICM Challenges...........................................................................................................13
4.2.1 Test the System HSVTC...................................................................13
4.2.1.1 Acquiring Challenge Units ......................................13
4.2.1.2 System Challenge Test Pass..................................13
4.2.1.3 System Challenge Test Failure...............................14
4.2.2 Test the ICM Match...........................................................................14
4.2.2.1 ICM Challenge Test Pass.......................................14
4.2.2.2 ICM Challenge Test Failure....................................14
4.3 Test Challenge Fees...................................................................................................14
4.3.1 Final Outcome System Challenge Test Failure................................14
4.3.2 Final Outcome ICM Challenge Test Failure......................................14
4.3.3 Final Outcome ICM Challenge Test Pass.........................................14
5 AHRI Directory of Certified Product Ratings Data Listings
5.1 Publication of Ratings in Certified Directory ...............................................................15
5.2 Data Forms .................................................................................................................15
5.2.1 Making Changes to Submissions .....................................................15
5.3 NAECA Requirements ................................................................................................15
5.4 DOE Approved Alternate Rating Method....................................................................16
5.4.1 ARM Ratings and Test Report Submission......................................16
5.4.2 Minimum Requirements of Test Reports Submitted to
AHRI by Participants.........................................................................16
5.5 Designation of Highest Sales Volume Tested Combination (HSVTC) .......................16
5.5.1 Single-Speed, Split System Air-Conditioner Requirements..............16
5.5.2 Split System Heat Pumps.................................................................16
5.5.3 Challenge of HSVTC Designation ....................................................16
5.6 ICM Listing Requirements...........................................................................................16
5.6.1 Heat Pump Listing Requirements.....................................................17
5.7 Identical Coil Ratings ..................................................................................................17
5.8 Listing Equipment with Enhancement Components ...................................................17
5.9 ICM Notice of Revised System HSVTC and/or Baseline Rating ................................17
5.9.1 Test Locked Ratings .........................................................................17
5.10 Specific Indoor Coil Data ............................................................................................17
5.11 Condenser Curve Coefficients....................................................................................17

5.12 Rating Screening for ICMs..........................................................................................17
5.12.1 6% Screen.........................................................................................17
5.12.1.1 Entering Data Above 6% Screen............................18
5.12.2 Coil Geometry Screening..................................................................18
5.12.3 Internal Refrigerant Volume (IRV) Screening...................................18
5.13 DOE Regional Standard Requirements......................................................................18
5.13.1 Air-Conditioner Regional Label Requirement...................................18
5.13.2 Condenser Characteristics................................................................19
5.13.2.1 Regional Standards for Single Line Add/Edits........19
5.13.2.2 Regional Standards for Mass Upload Add/Edits ....19
5.13.2.3 Regional Efficiency Range......................................19
6 Assessment and Payment of Certification Fees
6.1 Equipment Delivery/Disposal Fees.............................................................................19
7 Issuance of Violations and/or Termination................................................................................19
8 Program Hierarchy, Complaints, and the Appeals Process ....................................................19
9 Proper Use of the AHRI Certification Mark and Claims to Certification .................................19
Tables
Table B1 AHRI Submittal Requirements for High or Single Stage ......................................22
Table B2 AHRI Submittal Requirements for Low Stage ......................................................23
Table B3 DOE HSV Test Data.............................................................................................25
Table B4 Simulation Inputs for High or Single Stage...........................................................25
Table B5 Simulation Inputs for Low Stage...........................................................................26
Table E1 ICM BMG Definitions............................................................................................37
Table E2 ICM BMG Bucket –Coil Capacity.........................................................................38
Figures
Figure B1 Equation Coefficients............................................................................................24
Figure B2 Typical Condenser Capacity Curve......................................................................27
Figure B3 Typical Condenser Power Curves........................................................................27
Figure C1 Use of Provisionally Qualified Outdoor Units for ICM Testing..............................28
Figure C2 Use of Unqualified Outdoor Units for ICM Testing ...............................................29
Figure D1 Selection and Testing Process.............................................................................30
Figure D2 System Manufacturer First Test Failure Options..................................................31
Figure D3 ICM First Test Failure Options..............................................................................32
Figure D4 ICM Second Sample Test.....................................................................................33
Figure D5 Test Additional Samples Process.........................................................................34
Figure D6 System Manufacturer Test Additional Samples Failure Options..........................35
Figure D7 ICM or System Manufacturer First or Additional Sample Failure Options............36
Figure G1 Part 1 of the ORNL Flowchart ..............................................................................41
Figure G2 Part 2 of the ORNL Flowchart ..............................................................................42
Figure G3 Part 3 of the ORNL Flowchart ..............................................................................43

Appendices and Forms
Appendix A Requirements for Certification of ICM Heat Pump Ratings..................................20
Appendix B Condenser Curve Information ..............................................................................22
Appendix C Condensing Units for Coil Only Certification ........................................................28
Appendix D Compliance Program Flow Charts........................................................................30
Appendix E Independent Coil Manufacturer BMG Definitions.................................................38
Appendix F Setup, Commissioning and Operating Checklist for Laboratory Personnel .........39
Appendix G Coil Geometry Screening .....................................................................................40
Appendix H Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of
Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps –Normative.......................................44
APPENDIX I Secondary Capacity Check Requirements...........................................................67

USE OM - JANUARY 2017
1
1. Program Overview
1.1 Applicable Rating Standard. It is mandatory for program Participants to comply with the provisions
of the latest edition of AHRI Standard 210/240 Performance Rating of Unitary Air-Conditioning & Air-Source
Heat Pump Equipment (Standard). A copy of the Standard is available for download from the AHRI website,
www.ahrinet.org.
1.2 Product Definitions.
1.2.1 Air-Source Unitary Heat Pump. One or more factory-made assemblies which normally
include conditioning coil(s), compressors(s), and outdoor coil(s), including means to provide a
heating function. When such equipment is provided in more than one assembly, the separated
assemblies shall be designed to be used together, and the requirements of rating outlined in the
Standard are based upon the use of matched assemblies.
1.2.2 Independent Coil Manufacturer (ICM). Any Participant in the program that
manufactures only the Indoor Unit in an Air-Source Unitary Heat Pump and/or Unitary Air-
Conditioner.
1.2.3 Indoor Unit. A component of a Split System central air-conditioner or heat pump that
is designed to transfer heat between refrigerant and heat sink inside the conditioned space.
1.2.4 Outdoor Unit. A component of a Split System central air-conditioner or heat pump that
is designed to transfer heat between refrigerant and heat sink outside the conditioned space.
1.2.5 Single Packaged System. Any Unitary Air-Conditioner or Air-Source Unitary Heat
Pump that has the means for air circulation and heat removal, air cleaning, and the controls thereof,
in the same cabinet.
1.2.6 Split System. Any Unitary Air-Conditioner or Air-Source Unitary Heat Pump that has
one or more of the major assemblies separated from the others.
1.2.7 System Manufacturer. Any Participant in the program that manufactures all the major
assemblies in an Air-Source Unitary Heat Pump and/or Unitary Air-Conditioner.
1.2.8 Unitary Air-Conditioner. One or more factory-made assemblies which normally include
an evaporator or cooling coil(s), compressor(s), and condenser(s). Where such equipment is
provided in more than one assembly, the separated assemblies are to be designed to be used
together, and the requirements of rating outlined in the Standard are based upon the use of these
assemblies in operation together.
1.3 Program Scopes.
1.3.1 Unitary Small Air-Conditioner (and Mix-Matched Coils) Certification Program (USAC).
This program applies to Production Models of 50 and 60 Hz Unitary Air-Conditioners below 65,000
Btu/h cooling, as defined in Section 1.2 and as listed below:
Unitary Air-Conditioners;
Single Packaged System;
Split Systems; and
Air-conditioning coils (and air-handling products with air-conditioning coils) that
an ICM rates as a system with other System Manufacturer’s Outdoor Units.

USE OM - JANURY 2017
2
1.3.2 Unitary Small Air-Source Heat Pump (and Mix-Matched Coils) Certification Program
(USHP). This program applies to the Production Models of 50 and 60 Hz Air-Source Unitary Heat
Pumps below 65,000 Btu/h cooling, as defined in Section 1.2 and as listed below:
Air-Source Unitary Heat Pumps;
Single Packaged System;
Split Systems; and
Heat pump coils (and air-handling products with heat pump coils) that an ICM
rates as a system with other System Manufacturer’s Outdoor Units.
1.3.3 Program Distinction. The Unitary Small Air-Conditioner (USAC) and the Unitary Small
Air-Source Heat Pump (USHP) Certification Program are two separate programs. This also does
not apply to products within the scope of AHRI Standard 390.
1.3.4 Exceptions. Effective July 1, 2016, both new 60 Hz single-phase and new three-phase
dry charge R-22 production models below 65,000 Btu/h are not within the scope of the certification
program in U.S. and Canada. All existing “active” listings will be changed to “discontinued.” All the
remaining “discontinued” listings will be “Archived” 12 months after the effective date.
1.4 Intended Market. The Intended Market for both Certification Programs, where the Standard
applies, includes all products defined in Section 1.3 that are sold for use in the U.S. (including U.S.
Territories) and Canada.
1.5 Basic Model Groups (BMGs). A Participant’s listing shall be grouped by BMG.
1.5.1 System Manufacturer BMG Criteria. A Split System BMG consists of products with the
same Outdoor Unit used with several Indoor Unit combinations (i.e. horizontal, vertical, A-coil, etc.).
Same Outdoor Unit refers to models with the same or comparable compressor, used with the same
outdoor coil surface area and the same outdoor air quantity.
1.5.1.1 Determination of BMGs for Calculating the Number of Tests (System
Manufacturer). When calculating the number of tests for a Participant’s annual testing
requirement, AHRI shall take the number of active BMGs at the time of selection. The
number of tests shall be reviewed again at a later date to determine if additional tests
are required. This number of active BMGs shall determine the thresholds for Probation
and Penalty Modes.
1.5.2 ICM BMG Criteria. An ICM BMG consists of coils (Indoor Units) with matching capacity
ranges of 6,000 Btu/h and the following identical geometry parameters: air-handler, evaporator fan
type, evaporator number of rows, type of equipment (air-cooled, water-cooled or evaporatively-
cooled), evaporator tube centers, evaporator fin types, evaporator fins/inch, evaporator tube OD,
evaporator expansion device, fin length per slab, fin height per slab, number of slabs in the coil, fin
material type, tube material type, and total number of active tubes (refer to Table E1).
1.5.2.1 Determination of ICM BMG Coil Capacity Range for Calculating the
Number of Tests. Number of test selections shall be based on a Participant’s total
number of 6,000 Btu/h capacity buckets (BMG Buckets) rated in the AHRI Directory of
Certified Product Ratings (Directory) as shown on Table E2. For example, if a
Participant builds Indoor Units in Btu/h increments from 6,000 to 65,000 Btu/h’s and
offers all the variations of Coil Type and AHRI Type, the Participant would have 40
BMG Buckets. This number of BMG Buckets shall determine the thresholds for
Probation and Penalty Modes.
1.6 NAECA Compliance. Only products meeting or exceeding ratings set by the Department of Energy
(DOE) in the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) are eligible for certification through the
AHRI certification program, where applicable.