Mexico. Trane received from the German-based Institute for Construction and the Environment an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for its EarthWise CenTraVac commercial centrifugal chiller equipment.
For the first time, the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Sustainable Building Classification System took into consideration the materials and products used to manufacture the product, in its latest published version, LEED version 4 (v4). The EPD-certified Trane centrifugal cooler uniquely qualifies and contributes to LEED v4 in the use of optimal materials for the building, earning LEED points under the materials and resources credit category.
"Trane has conducted several certification processes to provide engineers and architects with the information they need to choose the most environmentally friendly air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration systems," said Jaime Jimenez, CEO of Trane Mexico.
The evaluation process for the Environmental Product Declaration includes a study on the life cycle of the chiller, which contributes to obtaining points for LEED classification systems, carried out under ISO parameters.
The life cycle study accurately measures the environmental impact of each phase of the cooler's life. This includes knowing how the initial production of raw materials – such as copper and steel – was like, as well as the energy consumed during their average life according to the Institute of Air Conditioners, Heating and Refrigeration (AHRI). The evaluation also includes the recovery of metals at the end of the equipment's useful life.
