Produced in Association with
SERIES 23 / Module 07 Cooling Buildings
Type Packaged air conditioners
Split and multi-split air conditioners >12kW Split and multi-split air conditioners ≤12kW
Variable refrigerant flow/volume (VRF/VRV) systems** Water-to-water chillers <400kW
Water-to-water chillers 400 – 1500kW Water-to-water chillers ≥1500kW
Vapour compression cycle chillers, air-cooled <400kW Vapour compression cycle chillers, air-cooled ≥400kW Absorption cycle chillers***
Gas-engine-driven variable refrigerant flow
Single-duct type 3.0 Other types 3.0
Cooling unit SEER* Single-duct type 3.0 Other types 3.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.5 4.0 4.5
EER 0.7 1.6
*Seasonal space cooling energy efficiency as defined by the Ecodesign Commission Regulation No. 206/2012 Annex II, at average rating conditions where applicable. **For VRV/VRF systems, SEER is for the full system including indoor units. ***For absorption chillers an EER (energy efficiency ratio) has been used instead. This should be determined according to BS EN 14511-2.
Minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) for comfort cooling³
new material innovations without moving parts or refrigerants, using solid materials that heat up or cool down when exposed to magnetic fields, electrical currents, pressure or mechanical stress. They use thermoelectric devices (TEDs) or modules made of semiconductors benefiting from the Peltier effect. When an electric current is passed through these modules, they create a temperature difference, generating heat on one side and cold on the other. By reversing the current, the heating and cooling roles of the module can be reversed, allowing provision of cooling and heating. Ice thermal energy storage tanks:
Employ stored ice in tanks usually generated at off-peak hours (nighttime) to cool the building in the warmer daytime. They effectively shift the cooling energy load from peak hours to off-peak hours. They work effectively as low-cost cooling batteries to improve the effectiveness and delivery cost of a building’s cooling system.
Embedding operational control There are several means of reducing the energy consumption associated with active cooling systems. Night purging cooling is an
established technique where cool night air is passed through the building
Thermal energy storage works like a battery for a building’s air conditioning system
to remove heat that has accumulated during the day. The cooler nighttime air flushes and cools the warm building structure/mass. Inverters and fault alarms: Inverter-
controlled compressors are fast replacing historic ON/OFF only control. Inverters control the speed of the compressor motor, to continuously regulate the temperature. They offer higher efficiency, quieter operation and longer lifespan because they eliminate sharp load fluctuations. Pre-emptive alarms also feature in modern controls, giving the building manager warnings of premature failure or inefficient operations.
Avoid simultaneous heating
and cooling by setting a suitable temperature gap between the heating and cooling set points, for example 19-24 °C, creating a comfortable ‘dead band’ in which neither system operates. When implemented, this prevents both systems from running at the same time. Install passive infra-red sensors
(PIR) on individual cooling units: The PIRs switch off air conditioning systems when occupancy is not detected after a set period. User awareness is also helpful to guide occupants and avoid inefficient use. Connective technologies: Several manufacturers now offer Wi-Fi enabled
controllers enabling individual systems to be linked with a remotely monitored platform. This ensures they can be coordinated and programmed on a time schedule, eliminating scenarios where few units operate excessively to cool large spaces out-of-hours. Install variable speed drives (VSDs)
on fans and pumps which do not need to operate at full speed all the time. Installing sub-metering allows
detailed consumption data to be collected and analysed, which can help identify control failures, unnecessary plant start-ups, and establish performance targets. Air-conditioning inspection reports
are currently required for buildings with a combined installed cooling capacity greater than 12 kW. Implementing the recommendations in these reports will support efficient plant operation.
Footnotes 1 Global Cooling Watch 2023 https://wedocs.
unep.org/items/7abd0943-4a4b-4df3-bf97- e07d701ac8c6
2 Net Zero: A practical guide for cooling businesses by Carbon Trust November 2024
https://www.carbontrust.com/our-work-and- impact/guides-reports-and-tools/net-zero-a- practical-guide-for-cooling-businesses
3
https://assets.publishing.service.gov. uk/media/63d8edbde90e0773d8af2c98/ Approved_Document_L_Conservation_of_fuel_ and_power_Volume_2_Buildings_other_than_ dwellings_2021_edition_incorporating_2023_ amendments.pdf
Further reading ● Carbon Trust Heating, ventilation and air
conditioning guide
https://www.carbontrust. com/our-work-and-impact/guides-reports- and-tools/heating-ventilation-and-air- conditioning-guide
● Coventry University (Undated) https://www.
coventry.ac.uk/study-at-coventry/student- support/academic-support/lanchester-library/ about-us/
● Designing Buildings {Online} https://www.
designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Chilledbeam.
● Approved Document L, Conservation of Fuel and Power {Online}
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.ukmed ia/63d8edbde90e0773d8af2c98/Approved Document_L _Conservation_of_fuel_and_ power_Volume_2_Buildings_other_than_ dwellings_2021_edition_incorporating_2023_ amendments.pdf
● International Energy Agency (2018) The Future of Cooling: Opportunities for energy efficient air conditioning [Online] Available from:
https://www.iea.org/ publications/ freepublications/publication/ The_Future_of_ Cooling.pdf.
● Staffell, I. (2018) How the heatwave affects electricity demand: Heatwave electricity demand surges as we battle to keep cool [Online] Available from: https:// www.drax. com/technology/heatwaveaffects-electricity- demand/
Produced in Association with
EIBI | FEBRUARY 2026
21
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