Page 15 - Climate Control News July 2019

Future: Air
Maintenance critical to operational savings
THERE ARE PLENTY of savings avail- able to improve HVACR operations, but the most critical is maintenance, ac- cording to the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) director general, Andrea Voigt.
She said savings through mainte- nance range from a 30 % improvement simply by removing refrigerant leaks to a 25% saving for cleaning and replacing filters on a regular basis.
“Often its the low hanging fruit that isn't even considered,” Voigt said.
“There are savings just by minimising tempera- ture lift; there is up to a 4% increase in energy con- sumption per additional degree of temperature.”
Voigt went on to talk about product design and correct sizing.
“If the product is not sized correctly it uses a lot of energy,” she said.
“Bigger heat exchangers, temperature set points, correct refrigerant charge size and regu- lar maintenance can all make a difference.
“There are demonstrated savings through good performance at part load conditions. HVAC systems are designed for peak load conditions but 90% of the time run on part load.”
Voigt said to look at energy output modula- tion, weather compensation, adjustment of wa-
ter/refrigerant temperature and flow to ensure they are set to actual needs. “Individual room temperature con- trol, dynamic hydronic balancing, sys- tematic monitoring of operation and changes in the systems, in particular
set points, are all factors to consider. “There are big savings through leak tightness. Besides contributing to direct emissions, refrigerant leak- age has a huge impact on energy consumption
and cost.”
Voigt recommended reducing refrigerant charge
sizes and to get ready for flammable refrigerants. “The lower the GWP, the more likely the refrig-
erant will be flammable,” she said.
“It is also important to be aware of the differ-
ences between A2L and A3.”
When asked about the European experience,
Voigt said that in the beginning the HFC phase- down wasn't taken seriously.
“When the first step was introduced nobody anticipated the impact, and prices exploded,” Voigt said.
“Illegal imports continue to be a problem and there isn't enough enforcement. “Communica- tion, anticipation, good governance and enforce- ment are key to avoid unpleasant surprises like refrigerant shortages and high prices.”
On the subject of current trends in the Euro- pean Union, Voigt said there is a lot of interest in C02 and R32.
She said the biggest barrier right now is a shortage of skills.
“Increased flammability has intensified the problem and there are not a lot of women in the industry,” Voigt said.
“We have smarter products today so contrac- tors need more skills.
“WE HAVE SMARTER PRODUCTS TODAY SO CONTRACTORS NEED MORE SKILLS.”
– EPEE DIRECTOR GENERAL, ANDREA VOIGT.
“There is still more adaptation required in Eu- rope because building codes in Europe don't al- low for flammable refrigerants.
“Skilled installers are more important than ever as flammable, high pressure and toxic refrigerants as well as smart systems are increasingly part of the present and fu- ture of HVACR.”
RIGHT: HVAC systems are designed for peak load conditions but 90% of the time run
on part load.
ABOVE: Director General of the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE), Andrea Voigt.
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS
JULY 2019
15