Overview
ISO 18326:2018/Amd 1:2021 is an important amendment to the international standard focusing on non-ducted portable air-cooled air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps equipped with a single exhaust duct. This standard amendment specifies enhanced testing and rating methods to evaluate the performance of these portable cooling and heating appliances. It supports manufacturers and users by providing clear guidance on installation, operation, and maintenance to ensure optimal efficiency and user safety.
This ISO update reflects current market needs for flexible, portable climate control solutions especially suited for environments where permanent installation or outdoor units are restricted, such as rented properties or historical buildings.
Key Topics
- Performance Testing and Rating: The amendment establishes refined requirements for accurately assessing the cooling and heating capacities of single duct, non-ducted portable units in various operating conditions.
- Literature Requirements: Manufacturers must provide detailed information on installation and use, as mandated by Annex G, helping users optimize appliance setup and operation.
- Installation Guidelines: Includes recommendations for proper placement-such as maintaining minimum clearances from walls and ensuring a firm, level foundation to minimize vibration and noise.
- Exhaust Hose Management: Stresses the importance of keeping the exhaust hose straight and without kinks to maximize efficiency, alongside advice to avoid extending hose length unnecessarily.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Highlights the necessity of regular filter cleaning or replacement, and careful upkeep of exhaust hoses and grilles to prevent efficiency losses and extend appliance life.
- Operational Recommendations: Suggests best practices like using the units primarily in spot cooling applications with high outdoor temperatures, closing windows and doors in the conditioned space, and shielding rooms from direct sunlight to reduce workload on the unit.
Applications
The standard is especially relevant for portable air conditioners and heat pumps used in:
- Residential spaces such as apartments and holiday homes where permanent installations are impractical or prohibited
- Small offices and single rooms requiring flexible and rapid deployment of climate control
- Historical or protected buildings where outdoor unit installation is forbidden by preservation rules
- Environments demanding temporary or seasonal air conditioning and heating solutions
By adhering to ISO 18326:2018/Amd 1:2021, manufacturers can ensure their products deliver verified, reliable performance, while end users gain confidence in safe, effective operation that aligns with international best practices.
Related Standards
- ISO 5151: Covers non-ducted air conditioners and heat pumps more broadly, providing complementary guidelines to those in ISO 18326 concerning general performance testing.
- ISO/IEC Directives Part 1 and Part 2: Outline the procedural and editorial rules applied in creating and maintaining this standard.
- Relevant IEC Standards: For electrotechnical safety and efficiency, often referenced alongside ISO standards for HVAC equipment.
Adoption of ISO 18326:2018/Amd 1:2021 promotes transparency and uniformity in portable air conditioning and heat pump performance assessment, supporting innovation and consumer trust in the evolving market of flexible cooling and heating solutions.
Open preview (PDF)Non-ducted portable air-cooled air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps having a single exhaust duct — Testing and rating for performance — Amendment 1