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IS 8148:2018 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for packaged air conditioners - specification. This standard specifies the constructional, performance, safety, and testing requirements for packaged air conditioners. It covers both air-cooled and water-cooled units up to a rated cooling capacity of 120 kW, defining standard rating conditions and minimum energy efficiency ratios (EER).
Specifies requirements for the design, construction, performance, and testing of packaged air conditioners.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! This standard is for mono-block packaged units, not for split systems (covered by IS 1391) or chillers.
! The specified EER values are minimums for compliance; higher efficiency units should be selected to meet energy codes like ECBC.
! Ensure site installation conditions (ambient temperatures, voltage stability) are considered, as performance is rated under specific test conditions defined in Table 1.
AHRI 340/360-2022Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), USA
HighCurrent
Performance Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment
Covers performance rating for larger capacity unitary (packaged) ACs, overlapping significantly with the upper range of IS 8148.
AHRI 210/240-2023Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), USA
HighCurrent
Performance Rating of Unitary Air-Conditioning & Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment
Covers performance rating for residential-style unitary (packaged) ACs, overlapping with the lower capacity range of IS 8148.
AS/NZS 3823.1.2:2012Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand
HighCurrent
Performance of electrical appliances - Airconditioners and heat pumps - Part 1.2: Ducted airconditioners and air-to-air heat pumps - Testing and rating for performance
Specifically addresses ducted units, which constitute a large portion of packaged air conditioners covered by IS 8148.
ISO 5151-1:2017International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International
MediumCurrent
Non-ducted air conditioners and heat pumps — Testing and rating for performance — Part 1: Non-ducted air conditioners and heat pumps for cooling and heating
Covers fundamental performance testing methods similar to IS 8148, but is limited to non-ducted systems.
Key Differences
≠The primary energy efficiency metric in IS 8148 is the Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER), which uses India-specific climate data and bin hours. International standards like AHRI use SEER2 (in the US) or SEER/SCOP (in Europe), based on different climatic profiles and calculation methodologies.
≠IS 8148 specifies testing at an electrical supply of 50 Hz (230V for single-phase, 415V for three-phase), reflecting the Indian grid. US-based standards (AHRI) mandate testing at 60 Hz with voltages like 208/230V or 460V.
≠While IS 8148 is harmonized with IEC safety standards via IS/IEC 60335-2-40, AHRI standards reference North American safety standards such as UL 1995 or UL 60335-2-40, which may have national deviations from the base IEC text.
≠The capacity scope of IS 8148 covers units up to 30 kW (~101,300 Btu/h). This range is split across two AHRI standards: AHRI 210/240 (up to 65,000 Btu/h) and AHRI 340/360 (above 65,000 Btu/h), resulting in different classification boundaries.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental test methodology for determining cooling capacity using either a room calorimeter or the air-enthalpy method is broadly consistent across IS 8148, AHRI, and ISO standards.
≈The standard T1 climate rating conditions for cooling are nearly identical. All standards specify an indoor condition of ~27°C DB / 19°C WB and an outdoor condition of 35°C DB.
≈The suite of required tests is very similar, including not only standard capacity tests but also maximum operating condition (high ambient) tests, condensate disposal tests, and enclosure sweat tests.
≈The allowable tolerance for rated capacity is the same. Both IS 8148 and AHRI standards require that the measured cooling capacity must be no less than 95% of the manufacturer's published rated capacity.
≈Safety requirements are largely harmonized through the adoption of IEC 60335-2-40. IS 8148 directly references the Indian adoption (IS/IEC 60335-2-40), and many other regions use this as their base safety standard for air conditioners.