Commercial HPWH Scheme Registration: FAQ
Common questions from manufacturers and distributors registering commercial HPWH systems for VEU Activity 44 and ESS IHEAB.
Does EN 14825 test data satisfy the EN 14511 requirement for VEU Activity 44 and ESS IHEAB?
No. EN 14825 is a seasonal efficiency (SCOP) standard used for ERP labelling. VEU Activity 44 and ESS IHEAB require EN 14511 physical testing at specific steady-state conditions, so EN 14825 reports cannot be used as a substitute for scheme registration.
Do VEECs/ESCs change over time?
VEU certificates no longer adjust annually; the final EEF change took effect on 1 February 2025 and is now fixed except for policy updates. ESCs also do not change over time except via policy changes.
Scheme rule changes can still significantly alter certificate values. For example, VEU Activity 44 rule changes and IPART’s August 2025 confidence factor can make old calculators outdated.
Can VEEC claims be backdated? What date do they count from?
VEECs are not backdated to the lodgement or publication date. They are eligible from the date the activity, meaning the installation, was completed.
Claims must be created no later than six months after the end of the year in which the activity occurred. For example, a 2025 installation must have VEECs created by 30 June 2026.
What EN 14511 test conditions are required, and how many test points?
12 test conditions are required. The usual matrix covers air dry bulb temperatures of 2 C, 7 C, 19 C, and 38 C, tested across water inlet temperatures of 10 C, 40 C, and approximately 60 to 70 C.
The upper water inlet point should sit just below the system’s maximum rated water temperature.
Are small systems eligible for commercial VEECs/ESCs?
Systems with average heat pump capacity below 10 kW face significantly reduced incentives.
Under VEU Activity 44, products with average tank size below 425 L are not eligible for commercial VEECs. Under ESS, IPART’s August 2025 confidence factor heavily reduces certificates for systems with average heat pump capacity below 10 kW.
How long does the registration process take?
Once all documentation is received, modelling and submission preparation takes approximately 2 weeks. VEU and ESS approval typically takes 6 to 10 weeks.
Follow-up applications for additional system variants are usually faster once auditors are familiar with the system.
Can preliminary performance data be used for modelling?
Preliminary modelling can use manufacturer data, such as COP, capacity, and power at various conditions, to estimate certificate values before committing to testing. This is useful for go/no-go decisions.
The full registration and official certificate calculation still requires official EN 14511 test data. Results from preliminary modelling are subject to change.
Does the product need to be registered on EESS for the VEU application?
Electrical safety certification is only required for systems with tanks no larger than 700 L.
Is a separate warranty document required for VEU submissions?
Warranty documents are only required for systems with tanks no larger than 700 L.
Can the VEU and IPART (TESSA) submissions be lodged simultaneously?
Yes. Both can proceed in parallel, and modelling and documentation preparation covers both schemes simultaneously.
Have a question not covered here? Get in touch with EnergyAE.