International. The International Energy Agency has pointed out that buildings consume 40% of the world's energy and that half of that percentage corresponds to HVAC systems.
The agency predicts that the number of air conditioners will triple from 1.6 billion units today to an estimated 4.8 billion by 2050.
"Today, it's about achieving a conjunction between optimal building performance, occupant comfort and environmental responsibility; and this definitely poses a significant challenge for building managers", said Carlos Garcia, CEO of Trane Mexico.
In a context of transition towards a more sustainable model, some trends are emerging focused on the use of innovative heating tools, which promise greater energy efficiency and harmony with our environment.
Based on this, Trane explores the top emerging trends that building, maintenance, and operation managers need to be aware of for building decarbonization.
Electrification of heating
Transitioning from heating systems based on fossil fuels (such as natural gas, propane or oil) to a system that uses electricity to generate heat would reduce buildings' energy use by more than 40 percent and carbon emissions by more than 75 percent, according to data from Frost & Sullivan.
There are several solutions for the electrification of heating, such as heating systems.
Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF), which consolidates heating and cooling into an all-electric multi-zone system, and is based on all-electric heat pumps; It is the most popular technology for decarbonizing heating.
Thermal Energy Storage
It is a technology that provides the ability to store and recover thermal energy, for later use in heating or cooling; as well as loading or unloading, depending on operational needs, utility rates or programs, availability of renewable resources, among other variables, which helps optimize the electrical demand of buildings and, therefore, energy costs, resilience, or carbon emissions.
Estimates from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute indicate that the thermal efficiency of these technologies can range from 50 to 90%, depending on the type of thermal energy used.
Using AI to Optimize Energy Efficiency
Through machine learning, predictive analytics, and other advanced methods, AI delivers solutions that optimize energy consumption, enable predictive maintenance that reduces downtime and operating costs, and contribute to a more sustainable and greener operation.
For example, Artificial Intelligence services applied to air conditioning, ventilation and heating systems can reduce a building's carbon footprint by up to 40%, and total energy costs, by up to 25%.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
This technology works with electricity and takes advantage of the temperature of the earth's subsoil to power heating systems for buildings. According to Environmental Action Germany, 75% of the energy needed to operate this equipment comes from the heat source, i.e. the ground. It only takes a small amount of electricity to run the heat pump.
Research from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has shown that replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump reduces carbon emissions from the first year of implementation.
"In the pursuit of sustainability, adopting technologies like these is more crucial than ever. However, the transition from traditional fuel systems to sustainable alternatives not only entails creating greener buildings, but also represents a commitment to the future of our planet", said the CEO of Trane Mexico.
