Chicago, United States: Intertek, a total quality assurance provider to industries worldwide, has announced that it has invested in expanding its laboratory space and testing equipment to further enhance its testing capabilities to the HVACR industry, and to help clients bring products to market more quickly and efficiently.

According to the company, it has a 65-tonne psychrometric testing chamber in Plano, Texas, which tests cooling or heating capacity output and energy efficiency of large equipment, such as commercial rooftop air conditioners and heat pumps, in an efficient and less labour-intensive manner. A dedicated facility, such as this, will allow for a more complete approach to the testing and certification process, said the company.

Furthermore, the company revealed that in Cortland, New York, a new, balanced, ambient calorimeter has been installed to test the output and efficiency of room air conditioners, packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged heat pumps. The calorimeter, the company added, is the second such component installed in Cortland, and will help reduce lead times for customers and increase the capacity of the lab.

Intertek explained that regulation changes in the industry have made it necessary for manufacturers to adhere to new standards and requirements regarding energy output and efficiency. The new equipment, it said, makes it possible for customers to enhance their work with a third-party lab to verify whether their products meet these standards. The investment, Intertek added, will also assist trade associations in administering their certification and verification programs.

“At Intertek, we are committed to partnering with the industry to ensure air conditioning and heating equipment meets ever-evolving standards such as those regulating energy efficiency,” said Tim Corcoran, Vice President at Intertek. “Investing in this new equipment allows us to offer more resources and options to customers and trade associations alike, providing the industry as a whole assurance and peace of mind.”