The role of cooling devices in climate change

With the rise of heat waves sweeping the world, the demand for air conditioners is increasing. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of air conditioners in use by 2050 will increase from the current 2 billion to 5.6 billion. If new, more efficient ways of cooling and more environmentally friendly coolants are not applied, it will greatly affect the climate and intensify negative climate changes.

The newly published international standard IEC 60335-2-40, Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-40: Particular requirements for electrical heat pumps, air-conditioners and dehumidifiers, helps to alleviate this problem. This standard enables the use of cooling devices with a reduced impact on global warming, while at the same time establishing the necessary measures to achieve a high level of safety. In addition, this standard addresses heat pumps that are more energy efficient compared to other heating and cooling systems. Their increasing application can help limit the negative impact on the environment.

Refrigerants are a key element in the cooling cycle. However, since refrigerants were most often harmful to the ozone layer, worldwide efforts to reduce the use of such substances led to the adoption of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. Although the Montreal Protocol allowed the Antarctic ozone hole to become smaller, it also led to the replacement of certain substances with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that may not damage the ozone layer but are considered greenhouse gases with the potential to cause global warming. EU countries adopted the Kigali Amendment, which entered into force on January 1, 2019. All members are required to phase out the use of HFCs by more than 80% over the next 30 years, which will be significantly helped by the implementation of this standard.

The new edition of the standard enables the wider use of climate-friendly cooling devices, addresses the safety and performance of electric heat pumps, air conditioners and air dryers. New safety measures in the standard help limit leaks and increase air circulation to dilute the refrigerant concentration. This standard specifies new safety test methods, which enable the use of new technologies and alternative constructions for devices using these refrigerants.