RACA Journal I June 2026 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za 37
FEATURE SERIES
conventional fixed‐speed systems( with average gains of around 11 % across capacities), while also reducing refrigerant charge by up to 28 % and improving installation flexibility. 6
These efficiency gains are highly significant. In many applications, the cost of electricity consumed by HVAC equipment can exceed its original capital cost within a relatively short operating period. 7 Large cooling systems, particularly those serving continuous or high‐load environments, can incur first‐year energy costs approaching or exceeding capital expenditure if not correctly selected, commissioned and controlled. OEM analyses of VRF installations versus traditional split systems consistently show that, despite higher initial investment, the variable-flow approach delivers substantial long-term cost savings through lower energy consumption, reduced maintenance needs and greater operational reliability. 8
This reality is driving a shift away from traditional‘ run to end of life’ asset strategies toward earlier, efficiency based replacement decisions. In a recent project undertaken by Atlas Air Conditioning for a healthcare client, the HVAC equipment was still within its nominal service life; however, frequent failures, operating inefficiencies and escalating maintenance risk in a high pressure, continuous use environment were the primary factors that triggered a replacement. The subsequent equipment upgrade delivered significant improvements in energy efficiency and lifecycle performance in a critical 24 / 7 facility.
Similar considerations are increasingly evident in other mission critical facilities, such as data centres and pharmaceutical sites, where efficiency is assessed using defined performance metrics. Two of the most important are the coefficient of performance( COP) and power usage effectiveness( PUE). Even relatively small improvements in COP can generate substantial, compounding savings in continuously operating environments. Leading South African telecommunications providers, aligned with global best practice, are known to prioritise aggressive PUE targets when selecting HVAC infrastructure, often placing greater emphasis on long‐term operational efficiency than on minimising upfront capital expenditure.
Achieving and sustaining favourable COP and PUE values, however, depends on more than equipment selection alone. Preventive maintenance plays a critical role in preserving efficiency over time. 9 Poorly maintained HVAC systems experience issues such as fouled heat exchangers, degraded refrigerant performance and airflow restrictions. 10 These factors increase energy consumption and directly erode both equipment‐level COP and facility‐level PUE. Without structured servicing and performance monitoring, even the most efficient systems will fail to deliver their intended lifecycle value. Closely related to energy efficiency is the growing focus on refrigerant selection and the reduction of global warming potential( GWP). Clients are increasingly asking for refrigerants with lower environmental impact. Regulatory pressure and corporate sustainability reporting are accelerating the move away from high‐GWP refrigerants. Modern HVAC system design therefore requires a balanced approach, considering refrigerant efficiency, environmental impact, system compatibility and future availability. Selecting more efficient refrigerants can further improve system performance while supporting broader decarbonisation goals.
Educating clients on how HVAC systems should be evaluated, including capital cost, efficiency, refrigerant choice, lifecycle performance and maintenance requirements, is essential. At Atlas Air Conditioning, close collaboration with consulting engineers and clients ensures that these considerations are addressed early in the design and procurement process. When energy efficiency, sustainability and operational discipline are treated holistically, HVAC systems become a strategic asset. RACA
REFERENCES:
1. Cuce, P. M. and Cuce, E.( 2026)‘ Role of HVAC in building energy consumption: a critical review’, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 151, pp. 3059 – 3080. Available at: https:// link. springer. com / article / 10.1007 / s10973-026-15322-9.( Accessed 20 April 2026).
2. Carrier Enterprise( n. d.) Trends in HVAC & Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings. Available at: https:// www. carrierenterprise. com / hvac-news / trends-in-hvac-energy-efficiency-in-commercial-buildings( Accessed 20 April 2026).
3. Wan, H. et al.( 2020)‘ A review of recent advancements of variable refrigerant flow air-conditioning systems’, Applied Thermal Engineering, 169, 114893. https:// doi. org / 10.1016 / j. applthermaleng. 2019.114893.( Accessed 20 April 2026).
4. Liu, X. and Hong, T.( 2010)‘ Comparison of energy efficiency between variable refrigerant flow systems and ground source heat pump systems’, Energy and Buildings, 42( 5), pp. 584 – 589. https:// doi. org / 10.1016 / j. enbuild. 2009.10.028.( Accessed 20 April 2026).
5. Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute( AHRI)( 2023) AHRI Standard 1230: Performance Rating of Variable Refrigerant Flow( VRF) Multi Split Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment. Available at: https:// www. ahrinet. org / search-standards / ahri-1230-i-p-performancerating-variable-refrigerant-flow-vrf-multi-split-air-conditioning-and-heat( Accessed: 20 April 2026).
6. ASHRAE( 2019) Economic analyses and life cycle costs. In: ASHRAE Handbook – HVAC Applications. Atlanta: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. Available at: https:// xp20. ashrae. org / SupplementalFiles / PHVAC9 / Economic _ Analyses _ and _ LCC. pdf( Accessed: 20 April 2026).
7. Atallah, G. et al.( 2021)‘ Comparison between Variable and Constant Refrigerant Flow Air Conditioning Systems in Arid Climate: Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Energy Savings’, Sustainability, 13( 18), 10374. https:// doi. org / 10.3390 / su131810374.( Accessed 20 April 2026).
8. Yang, H. et al.( 2026)‘ Annual Operation Energy Efficiency Benchmarking of Chilled Water Plants: A Systematic Review of Global Cases( 2014 – 2025)’, Buildings, 16( 4), 756. https:// doi. org / 10.3390 / buildings16040756.( Accessed 20 April 2026).
9. Ahmed, N., Facchinetti, T., Hernandez, M. and Anglani, N.( 2025)‘ The impact of air handling unit cleaning on HVAC electricity consumption and system performance’, Energy and Buildings, 353, 116896. https:// doi. org / 10.1016 / j. enbuild. 2025.116896( Accessed: 20 April 2026).
10. Catrini, P. and Piacentino, A.( 2025)‘ Experimental analysis of the effects of condenser fouling and refrigerant charge faults on the performance of variable speed rooftop units’, Applied Thermal Engineering, 279, 127578. https:// doi. org / 10.1016 / j. applthermaleng. 2025.127578( Accessed: 20 April 2026).
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RACA Journal I June 2026 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za 37