03/13/2025 | Press release | Archived content
In recent years, growing awareness of environmental issues has led to a flurry of new regulations across the globe. Specifically, new regulations are also having an impact on the air conditioning and refrigeration industry. Increasingly the focus is on the use of refrigerants with a low environmental impact, the adoption of high-efficiency technologies, and the optimisation of energy systems.
While for several years more attention was paid to large-scale machinery, associated with higher energy consumption, there are now significant developments regarding more compact and low-power applications. Applications that are in fact very widespread and involve a range of different technologies.
Growing attention to environmental issues, such as the greenhouse effect and pollution from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), is driving governments to introduce stricter regulations to control emissions. Significant actions are expected over the coming years, and these will have a direct impact on refrigerants, especially fluorinated refrigerants, which are known to contribute greatly to global warming. Many countries are planning various actions to progressively reduce and control the use of these high-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants. Consequently, key regulations such as the F-Gas regulation in the EU and the AIM act in the USA, are continuing to evolve, while new aspects, such as PFAS, are more and more in the spotlight due to their potentially harmful effects on the environment and human health. Restrictions on the use of these substances - some of which are already included in the new F-Gas regulation - could have a significant effect on the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector: RACHP.
Efforts have been made to find alternatives to HFCs with an ODP = 0 and the lowest possible global warming potential for some time now. However, most alternative refrigerants are slightly or highly flammable, and careful risk management is needed.
Preventive measures initially adopted included keeping the concentration of the flammable refrigerants below the lower flammable limit (LFL) and isolating them from any potential ignition sources through strategic positioning or insulated systems.
However, such solutions are not always feasible and, in the industrial sector, the challenge is even more complex. For this reason, other effective solutions have been developed, such as components that are not considered potential ignition sources due to electric arcs or critically high temperatures according to the product safety standards when using A2L or A3 refrigerants.
Using such components not only improves operational safety, but also simplifies the certification process for manufacturers, simplifying the transition to more sustainable solutions with a lower environmental impact.
The goal of combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for global warming, is both closely related to the issues discussed here so far, and to the concept of energy efficiency. Energy savings can be achieved either by modifying processes to reduce waste, or by adopting technologies that can transform energy from one form to another more efficiently. Energy saving opportunities are typically identified as part of an energy assessment, which analyses energy consumption and identifies the most effective actions to improve system efficiency. This is one of the key tools in achieving the objectives set by the various regulations relating to atmospheric CO2,eq emissions. In other words, increasing energy efficiency means using less energy to achieve the same result, thus helping to reduce environmental impact. In the HVAC/R business, the use of advanced technologies such as electronic valves, inverter-driven brushless DC compressors and EC fans can bring significant benefits in this regard. Electronic expansion valves are crucial to ensure precise control of refrigerant flow at all times. These allow the system to work in optimum conditions during normal operation, as well as reduce energy inefficiencies during start-up when compared to systems with ON/OFF control. Indeed, the start-up phase is often underestimated, yet it has a significant impact on overall energy consumption.
Moreover, improved management of small pressure differences means that electronic expansion valves can quickly adapt to changes in system conditions, maintaining a constant flow of refrigerant. Another advantage of using electronic expansion valves is in the event of system shutdown or malfunctions: compared to thermostatic or solenoid valves, these ensure almost perfectly hermetic closure.
Regarding compressors, BLDC technology has made a lot of progress in recent years in terms of energy efficiency and will be a key solution in the future. The use of inverters coupled with variable-speed compressors allows the compressor speed to be modulated based on the actual load, optimising and reducing energy consumption, especially during periods of low demand. This brings an improvement in the COP (coefficient of performance) and an increase in seasonal efficiency (seasonal performance factor).
Finally, it is worth mentioning EC or permanent magnet fans. Due to their advanced design, EC motors can achieve an efficiency of up to 92%, compared to 70-80% for AC motors. This is possible through the use of permanent magnet rotors, which minimise energy losses in the copper and due to slip, converting a greater percentage of electrical energy into useful mechanical energy.
Whatever technology is used, one thing is certain: the increasing complexity of HVAC units requires the development of innovative solutions for both management and troubleshooting. One of the most effective responses comes from mobile apps, which are revolutionising the way operators interact with the units. These indeed offer a powerful solution to the needs of a continually evolving market. Being able to connect directly to the units via Bluetooth, these apps allow operators to monitor performance in real time, receive notifications of any anomalies and alarms, and access logged data for in-depth analysis. All of which significantly reduces downtime and improves operational efficiency. One crucial aspect is the user interface. In order to be truly effective, these apps must be designed with the focus on usability. An intuitive, user-friendly interface allows operators to easily navigate between functions, quickly identify any problems, and follow step-by-step troubleshooting procedures.
In summary, the adoption of increasingly efficient and sustainable technologies, also driven by the latest regulations, is essential in reducing the environmental impact of HVAC/R systems. The technical solutions available for compact units offer real opportunities for improving energy efficiency and fostering a transition towards a more sustainable future.
We will further explore these topics during ISH in Frankfurt am Main, from 17 to 21 March.
CAREL will be exhibiting at stand A61, hall 8.
REGULATION (EU) 2024/573 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 7 February 2024 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/573/oj)
https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction
https://www.pfas.gov.au/
https://www.carel.com/-flammable-refrigerants-focus-on-hydrocarbons-white-paper
https://www.carel.com/-refrigerant-scenario-white-paper