Mexico. New regulations on energy efficiency are redefining the way commercial buildings are designed and managed, with a direct impact on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sector.
Mexico is making progress in adopting regulations aimed at improving energy consumption and management, a process that is redefining the design, operation, and management of commercial buildings. This regulatory change directly impacts key sectors such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), while opening up new opportunities to increase energy efficiency and accelerate the transition to more sustainable models.
According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Mexico ranks 14th out of 25 countries evaluated in the International Energy Efficiency Scoreboard. Although the result reflects significant progress, it also shows a wide margin for improvement, particularly in the commercial buildings sector.
The current and developing energy efficiency standards mark a turning point for the sector, by establishing stricter technical requirements and consolidating energy efficiency as a regulatory requirement. "For the HVAC industry, this means redesigning technologies; for commercial building owners and managers, it represents the opportunity to comply with regulation while maximizing operating savings, strengthening their reputation and raising the competitiveness of their properties," explains Fernando Campos, Energy Specialist at Trane Mexico.
Commercial buildings—which include corporate offices, shopping centers, and hospitals—account for a significant portion of the country's electricity consumption, mainly associated with air conditioning, ventilation, and cooling systems. This reality makes the HVAC sector a strategic factor to improve operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the built environment.
The magnitude of the challenge is reflected in figures from the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC), which indicate that the buildings sector in Mexico is responsible for 5% of water consumption, 25% of electricity consumption, as well as 20% of CO₂ emissions and waste generated nationwide.
In response, the country has developed and updated a regulatory framework that seeks to raise the energy performance of buildings. Among the provisions in force are NOM-008-ENER-2011, applicable to housing and residential buildings, and NOM-020-ENER-2011, focused on the thermal envelope of non-residential buildings such as offices, hospitals, schools, shopping centers and hotels.
In addition to this framework, specific standards for air conditioning systems are added. NOM-023-ENER-2018 regulates split-type air conditioning equipment, while NOM-026-ENER-2015 establishes efficiency parameters for higher-capacity equipment through indicators such as EER and COP.
The next step will be the entry into force of NOM-035-ENER-2025, scheduled for February 2026, which will update the energy efficiency assessment methodology by incorporating the REEI (Integrated Partial Load Weighted EER) indicator, aligned with the international guidelines AHRI 340/360. This change seeks to provide a more accurate measurement of the actual performance of commercial HVAC systems.
For commercial building owners and managers, adopting these standards goes beyond regulatory compliance. The modernization of HVAC systems, the use of intelligent controls and the optimization of the thermal envelope reduce energy costs, improve occupant comfort and increase the value of the property.
"The key is to take a comprehensive approach that considers both HVAC system performance and overall energy management," says Campos. This includes everything from replacing obsolete equipment to evaluating the daily operation of systems, identifying areas for improvement, and prioritizing technologies with higher energy performance.
The specialist stresses that the use of more efficient equipment allows consumption to be reduced without compromising the comfort or functionality of the building. Systems capable of automatically adjusting the climate control according to occupancy and environmental conditions, as well as preventive maintenance programs, help maintain optimal performance and extend the life of the equipment.
In addition, the integration of intelligent controls and continuous monitoring platforms facilitates early detection of faults, prevention of operational stoppages and more accurate management of energy consumption.
Currently, commercial buildings have various technologies that optimize energy efficiency and comply with regulatory standards, while generating a tangible return on investment:
- Inverter compressors (variable speed): They adjust the cooling capacity according to the actual demand, reduce energy consumption and wear and tear on the equipment, and facilitate compliance with standards such as NOM-023-ENER-2018 and the future NOM-035-ENER-2025.
- Building Management Systems (BMS): They automate and optimize the operation of HVAC and other systems, using predictive logic and artificial intelligence to supply power only when needed.
- Low environmental impact refrigerants: The transition to alternatives such as R-32 or R-290 contributes to complying with energy efficiency standards and reducing environmental impact, aligning buildings with international best practices.
- Mexico is thus at a key moment to turn the commercial buildings sector into an engine of energy efficiency and sustainability. The standards not only impose technical requirements, but also open the door to a transformation based on technological innovation, intelligent control and more responsible management of resources.
"Buildings that integrate more efficient systems can reduce operating costs and contribute in a tangible way to the mitigation of emissions and the responsible use of energy," concludes Campos. "In this way, energy efficiency is consolidated as one of the pillars of the country's sustainable and competitive development."
