ENERGY STAR Ceiling Fan Testing Centre
in Taiwan

ENERGY STAR Ceiling Fan Airflow Testing Laboratory is the only UL laboratory of its kind in Asia Pacific that has attained the EPA certification.

In light of the increasing demand for ENERGY STAR label in the supply chain, UL has set up a Ceiling Fan Airflow Testing Laboratory in Taiwan targeting at the popular ceiling fans in the domestic appliances market amongst products for export to the United States. This laboratory has passed the EPA certification, and is capable of providing Asia Pacific with relevant services that meet the EPA specifications.

According to the EPA standards, ceiling fans must comply with the specifications of the ENERGY STAR Residential Heating & Cooling Equipment Program. The program strictly requires that the ceiling fan, on high, medium and low speeds, must meet the minimum requirements provided in the ENERGY STAR specification, in terms of cubic feet per minute (CFM) and CFM/watt readings (see Table 1).

Ceiling fans (which are normally also fitted with lamps) with the ENERGY STAR label can produce an airflow of 20% more per unit of energy consumed compared with ordinary ceiling fans and the lighting function achieves an energy saving of 60-70%, compared with similar ceiling fans fitted with incandescent lamps.

The solid state test equipment at the ENERGY STAR Ceiling Fan Testing Laboratory has two main components: a testing chamber and a control chamber. Temperature and humidity must be controlled in the testing chamber and therefore the walls are constructed of insulation material. Equipment in the testing chamber include airflow sensors, an arm rotator, a test cylinder and temperature and humidity sensors. The main function of the control chamber is to control the temperature, humidity, the rotator and the height of the ceiling fan in the testing chamber. UL also has a well-trained and professional team of staff to deliver the ENERGY STAR testing services.

Ceiling fans are a highly popular product in the domestic appliances market in the United States. When purchasing a ceiling fan, consumers will consider energy saving as one of the key decision factors along with price, functionalities and product safety. Despite a voluntary program, the ENERGY STAR label program helps differentiate the products and products that are ENERGY STAR labelled enjoy better marketability.

by Zoe Tsai, UL Conformity Assessment Services, Taiwan

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