HVAC may contribute to decarbonizing the business sector
HVAC may contribute to decarbonizing the business sector, according to Cecilia Salamanca, who heads the Technical Department at AFEC (Asociación de Fabricantes de Equipos de Climatización, the Association of HVAC Equipment Manufacturers). This expert explains the main actuations that should be carried out in that regard.
The first step to decarbonizing is to reduce demand by actuations in energy efficiency. In this way, AFEC's head of the Technical Department notes that "HVAC (heat, ventilation, and air conditioning) has become a great ally, given that manufacturers have invested heavily in adapting equipment to meet the requirements in ecodesign regulations, energy efficiency rating, RITE, etc. She also points out that "in the case of heat pump technology, in addition, energy is used that comes from renewable sources, which makes its contribution to decarbonization even greater".
Different sectors
In Cecilia Salamanca's opinion, "examples can be found in the industrial, commercial, and tertiary sectors, with high-efficiency equipment that not only covers the need to heat and cool large, open spaces with large windows, etc. but also to maintain good indoor air quality without losing that efficiency, by installing ventilation systems with heat recovery". Advanced systems for regulating and control also make it possible to "heat and cool by zones, which enhances comfort and lowers energy consumption".
In addition, this expert notes that heat pumps or coolers are also used in industrial processes "with advanced performance features and a much lower carbon footprint than at traditional facilities throughout the entire product life cycle”.