Climate considerations for R/AC equipment operation: is the answer in energy efficiency ?

Since a long time, energy efficiency has been an important issue in R/AC equipment development; currently its relation to climate is considered most important. Energy efficient use of ammonia or hydrocarbons in equipment relates to a number of aspects already realised; this also applies to CO2, which is under further development. In the case of fluorocarbons, it is different since direct emissions (i.e., from high GWP HFCs) are typically to be considered in light of the Kigali Amendment. However, even with the “Kigali” HFC phase-down, addressing of energy efficiency related indirect GHG emissions often receives a lot of emphasis in that context. “Kigali” is strictly related to regulatory measures to phase down and to compliance; “Kigali” and efficiency are two different things. If one aims at a substantial reduction of all climate relevant emissions for all applications, efforts need to be undertaken from a broader perspective. Priorities are on energy efficiency, but even more on initiatives focused to achieve capacity reductions within comprehensive frameworks. Lowering demand via influencing outside parameters, guaranteeing adequate, high-efficient equipment operation, shall be considered priority number one, and can be defined as using energy efficiently. Even though the total capacity of large units is lower than the capacity in other sectors, food production, cold storage and chillers can contribute to savings via efficient energy use. While the efforts under the Montreal Protocol are important, a different or perhaps enhanced framework will be required to effectively address a more efficient use of energy in R/AC equipment, aiming at the highly emphasised ‘low carbon profile’ for the R/AC sector.