Definition
AHRI 550/590 is the certification standard for water-cooled chillers that establishes test procedures and rating conditions for centrifugal, screw, and reciprocating compressor chillers. This standard specifies how manufacturers measure Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV) ratings for commercial chilling systems in buildings with centralized cooling plants.
Chiller Testing Conditions
AHRI 550/590 defines testing at condenser water temperatures of 85°F and evaporator water temperatures of 44°F, representing typical central plant operation. Chillers are tested across capacity ranges from 50 to 10,000 tons of refrigeration. The standard requires evaluation at full load and part-load conditions (100, 75, 50, and 25 percent capacity) to simulate seasonal variations in cooling demand.
Efficiency Ratings and Application
Centrifugal chillers achieve EER ratings of 10 to 16, while screw chillers range from 8 to 13 EER. IPLV ratings account for weighted seasonal performance across part-load conditions. AHRI 550/590 certification ensures compliance with ASHRAE 90.1 and enables accurate calculation of annual energy consumption and lifecycle costs for large commercial and institutional facilities.