ISO 13253-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 13253:2017 — Ducted air-conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps — Testing and rating for performance. This International Standard specifies standard test conditions and test methods used to determine the capacity and efficiency ratings of ducted, air‑cooled air‑conditioners and air‑to‑air heat pumps (single‑package and split systems) intended for residential, commercial and industrial applications.

Abstract

ISO 13253:2017 defines procedures for measuring cooling and heating capacity and determining performance ratings for ducted, air‑cooled air‑conditioners and ducted air‑to‑air heat pumps. The standard is limited to factory‑made, electrically driven equipment using mechanical compression and covers single, multiple and variable‑capacity arrangements (including multiple split systems controlled by a single thermostat/controller). The document also lists explicit exclusions (for example, water‑source or water‑cooled units, multi‑split systems covered by ISO 15042, absorption systems and certain low‑capacity ducted units) and does not provide seasonal efficiency methods.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: July 2017 (ISO 13253:2017)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 23.120 (Ventilators. Fans. Air‑conditioners); 27.080 (Heat pumps)
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2017); amended by ISO 13253:2017/Amd 1:2020
• Number of pages: 89 (main document)

Key bibliographic and lifecycle data (status, edition, publication date, ICS and amendment) are recorded on the ISO catalogue entry for ISO 13253:2017 and in the ISO amendment notice for Amd 1:2020.

Scope

ISO 13253:2017 applies to ducted, air‑cooled air‑conditioners and ducted air‑to‑air heat pumps used in single‑package and split‑system arrangements. It sets out standard ambient and operating conditions, instrumentation and measurement procedures required to determine rated capacity and efficiency for these types of equipment. The standard expressly excludes water‑source or water‑cooled equipment, absorption refrigeration systems, many multi‑split systems (covered by ISO 15042), mobile/windowless units with condenser exhaust ducts, and certain small ducted units rated below specified capacity and static pressure thresholds. It does not define seasonal performance metrics (seasonal efficiency indices are outside its scope).

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of standard test conditions for cooling and heating performance (ambient temperatures, airflow conditions and external static pressures).
• Test methods and instrumentation requirements for measuring cooling/heating capacity and input power.
• Procedures for rating capacity and efficiency (establishing declared values under the specified test points).
• Rules for handling single, multiple and variable‑capacity systems and for matched assemblies.
• Exclusions and limitations (e.g., water‑cooled, absorption and certain multi‑split or very low‑capacity ducted units).
• Reference to uncertainty evaluation and measurement best practice (alignment with ISO measurement/uncertainty guidance used in HVAC testing).

The above topics reflect the core testing and rating requirements described in the standard and its amendment.

Typical use and users

Primary users include HVAC product manufacturers (for product development and declared ratings), independent test laboratories and certification bodies (for type testing and verification), regulatory authorities and energy program administrators (for compliance and labeling), and HVAC design engineers specifying equipment performance. Accredited test laboratories commonly reference ISO 13253 methods when performing capacity and efficiency tests for ducted equipment.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced alongside ISO 13253 include ISO 5151 (non‑ducted air‑conditioners and heat pumps — testing and rating), ISO 15042 (multiple split‑system testing), ISO 817 (refrigerant designation and safety classification), and ISO/TS 16491 (guidelines on evaluation of measurement uncertainty for air‑conditioner and heat pump tests). ISO 13253:2017 is also followed by Amendment 1 (ISO 13253:2017/Amd 1:2020) which updates or clarifies specific provisions.

Keywords

ISO 13253, ducted air-conditioners, air-to-air heat pumps, testing, rating, capacity, efficiency, HVAC performance, test methods, Amd 1:2020

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 13253:2017 is an International Standard that specifies test conditions and methods for determining capacity and efficiency ratings of ducted, air‑cooled air‑conditioners and ducted air‑to‑air heat pumps (single‑package and split systems).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the measurement procedures, standard ambient and operating conditions, instrumentation and reporting needed to establish rated cooling and heating capacity and declared efficiency for ducted air‑conditioners and air‑to‑air heat pumps, and lists equipment types and situations that are excluded from its scope.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: HVAC manufacturers, independent and accredited test laboratories, certification bodies, regulators and energy program administrators, and engineers involved in specifying or verifying equipment performance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 13253:2017 (Edition 3) is the current published edition from July 2017 and has been issued with Amendment 1 in October 2020. There is no ISO replacement listed on the ISO catalogue as superseding the 2017 edition as of the document and amendment records. Users should check the ISO catalogue or national standards body for the most recent status before formal use.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of the family of ISO test‑and‑rating documents for air conditioners and heat pumps (for example ISO 5151 for non‑ducted equipment and ISO 15042 for multiple split systems), and is maintained under ISO/TC 86/SC 6 (Air conditioning and heat pumps).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Ducted air‑conditioners; air‑to‑air heat pumps; testing; rating; capacity; efficiency; performance; HVAC; ISO 13253; amendment A1:2020.