ENERGY EFFICIENCYFANS
refrigerants and compressor and control technologies. This has allowed the industry to make heat pumps more viable, more effi cient and more reliable. Today, they provide a clean alternative to fossil-fuel heating in manufacturing processes requiring low to medium temperatures. Heat pumps like the Trane RTSF HT can boost the recovered
energy up to 110°C, which covers a wide range of process needs beyond space or storage heating or preheating hot domestic water. Fully electrifi ed thermal systems deliver both hot and chilled water for heating and cooling processes and can recover and repurpose energy without generating on-site carbon or NOx emissions.
Simultaneous heating and cooling systems are three to four times more effi cient than traditional methods, positively impacting the bottom line. A modern heat pump can generate three to four kilowatts of useful energy from one kilowatt of energy input, achieving an average effi ciency ratio of 300-400% - more than three times the effi ciency of a boiler. The benefi ts go beyond performance: by combining cooling and heating systems, facilities reduce upfront investments, save space, and cut operating costs. This is the systems approach in action.
Shifting perceptions, overcoming barriers Given the process-heavy nature of the industrial landscape, getting a fi rm grip of a plant’s temperature control systems can quickly reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions and utility bills. While traditional concern and scepticism around the industrial use of heat pumps persist, the benefi ts far outweigh the obstacles. Common concerns – about complexity, cost, or site limitations – often refl ect legacy thinking rooted in siloed
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systems. ■ Initial Costs: While the upfront costs for integrated technologies and renewable energy systems can be higher, these costs are off set by long-term savings. All-in-one (heating/cooling) thermal management systems often have paybacks of only 2-3 years due to greater energy effi ciency and operational savings.
■Complexity: Designing a net-zero facility does require careful planning and coordination among architects, engineers, and contractors, but the core infrastructure and technologies exist. The focus should be on converting to thermal systems plants and gaining market acceptance
■ Site Constraints: Around 80% of current projects are retrofi ts, not new construction – proof that existing facilities can adopt this model.
Moving from separate to integrated systems doesn’t mean reinventing the plant. It means rethinking how energy fl ows through it. Redefi ning how heating and cooling systems are managed is vital for energy effi ciency and sustainability. Thermal management is no longer just about choosing the right boiler or chiller. It’s a strategic partnership for energy optimisation, decarbonisation, and operational resilience. As manufacturers across Europe explore new ways to meet
net-zero goals, the case for integrated thermal systems grows stronger. But the biggest step is mental: shifting from a model of disconnected systems to one where energy is seen as continuous, recoverable, and independent. Reimagining heating and cooling as part of a single thermal system is not just a technological shift – it’s a leadership one.
www.acr-news.com • February 2026 15
'Proper
temperature control prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and pathogens, ensuring products are safe for consumption.'
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