CO₂ can also be green – part of the solution
When most people hear “CO₂” they think of climate change and harmful impact. But in cooling technology CO₂ can in fact be the greener choice. As a natural refrigerant CO₂ has a very low climate impact and is increasingly recognized as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional synthetic refrigerants.
With growing awareness of climate change and environmental impact it is becoming more important to choose sustainable solutions in both ventilation and cooling technology. Natural refrigerants like CO₂ are an obvious choice. They represent a future proof solution that minimizes environmental impact while meeting both current and future regulations.
By choosing an air handling unit with CO₂ as refrigerant, it is possible to achieve significantly higher energy efficiency over the year compared to units using traditional refrigerants.
When a CO₂ based air handling unit operates in subcritical mode, energy efficiency is about 15 to 20 percent higher than with traditional synthetic refrigerants. In the few hours per year when the unit runs in transcritical mode – typically only on the hottest days – efficiency may be 5 to 10 percent lower than with traditional refrigerants. However, the overall annual energy savings make CO₂ a highly efficient and environmentally friendly choice.
Legislation promoting natural and environmentally friendly refrigerants
The EU F-gas regulation plays a key role in phasing down synthetic refrigerants such as HFC and HFO gases, which have a high Global Warming Potential (GWP). These gases have a significant climate impact, and the EU is therefore gradually introducing restrictions and bans on their use to promote more sustainable solutions.
Ban from January 1 2027: Fluorinated refrigerants with a GWP above 150 will be banned in integrated cooling and heat pump systems.
Ban from January 1 2032: For systems below 12 kW the use of fluorinated refrigerants will be completely prohibited. For larger systems above 12 kW the GWP must not exceed 150.
CO₂ – a natural refrigerant outside the regulation’s restrictions
CO₂ (R744) is a natural refrigerant without fluorine compounds and is therefore not subject to the restrictions of the F gas regulation. Unlike synthetic HFC and HFO gases, pure CO₂ has a far lower climate impact both in terms of greenhouse effect and the risk of PFAS emissions. This makes CO₂ a regulatory safe and future proof choice in modern cooling and ventilation solutions.
Future cooling without harmful substances
PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals”, represent a serious environmental and health challenge as they degrade extremely slowly and accumulate in nature over time. Many synthetic refrigerants, particularly HFC and HFO types, contain PFAS or form degradation products such as TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), which can contaminate groundwater and ecosystems.
Due to the environmental and health risks of PFAS, the EU is working on stricter regulations to limit the use of these substances in a wide range of products, including certain types of fluorinated refrigerants. To meet these requirements and ensure future proof cooling solutions, it is necessary to move away from PFAS containing substances.
In this context, natural refrigerants, especially CO₂ (R744), represent an attractive alternative. CO₂ is free from PFAS, does not degrade into TFA and has a Global Warming Potential of just 1. This makes CO₂ an environmentally friendly solution that meets both current and upcoming environmental requirements without compromising efficiency.
The transition to natural refrigerants is therefore an important step towards more responsible and future proof cooling technology.
Natural cooling with CO₂ supports green buildings
The use of CO₂ as a natural refrigerant plays a central role in achieving DGNB certification. DGNB evaluates building sustainability across several criteria including environmental impact, resource efficiency and technical quality. CO₂ has an extremely low Global Warming Potential and is free from harmful substances such as PFAS, which reduces the building’s overall climate footprint. In addition, CO₂ based cooling solutions deliver high energy efficiency, supporting both the technical and economic requirements of the DGNB system. This makes CO₂ a future proof choice for developers and consultants aiming for sustainable and certified buildings.
CO₂ as a refrigerant for a better future
CO₂ is a natural refrigerant with a very low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1. Unlike synthetic HFC and HFO gases, CO₂ contains no fluorine compounds and is therefore not subject to the restrictions of the F-gas regulation. While CO₂ is a greenhouse gas, its climate impact as a refrigerant is significantly lower compared to fluorinated alternatives. In addition, CO₂ does not deplete the ozone layer and is not a source of PFAS pollution.
By using CO₂ as a refrigerant in air handling units, systems remain unaffected by the revised F-gas regulation coming into force in 2027 and 2032. This is because CO₂ is a natural refrigerant free from fluorine compounds. With a GWP of just 1, and as a naturally occurring resource with stable and long-term availability independent of geopolitical factors or scarce raw materials, CO₂ provides a reliable and environmentally friendly solution for future cooling and ventilation systems.
Air handling units with CO₂ as a refrigerant achieve high energy efficiency thanks to its thermodynamic properties, which enable effective heat exchange. This reduces energy consumption for both cooling and heating. CO₂ performs optimally in both low and high temperature conditions, making it an ideal year-round choice.
CO₂ as a refrigerant offers high safety due to its classification in safety group A1. This means it is non-toxic and non-flammable, minimizing risks in air handling units. This combination makes CO₂ a safe and reliable choice for both industrial and commercial applications.
At Unic Air, our commitment to the green transition is more than an obligation. It is the driving force behind everything we do.
We design, manufacture and deliver ventilation units that not only meet today’s standards but also help shape tomorrow’s solutions.
By focusing on natural refrigerants such as CO₂ and ensuring high energy efficiency, we create systems that reduce both environmental impact and operating costs without compromising comfort or quality.
Our vision is to be the preferred partner for environmentally conscious clients who seek sustainable solutions with proven impact. We believe that responsibility and innovation go hand in hand when building for the future.