From climate ambition to building performance: Europe’s next test is delivery

Why better building performance starts with the whole HVAC system.

As COP31* approaches and international attention turns towards implementing climate commitments, Europe faces a practical test of its own: ensuring that investment in building renovation delivers the expected results once buildings are in use.

Buildings account for around 40% of energy consumed in the EU. Approximately 85% were built before 2000, 75% have poor energy performance and the annual energy-renovation rate remains at around 1%.¹

Europe has established ambitious renovation objectives. But targets and completed projects alone will not determine success. For building owners and operators, the more immediate question is whether a renovated building delivers the efficiency and operability expected from the investment.

Performance depends on more than individual technologies

Energy-driven building renovation is often associated with insulation, new windows or replacing the heat source. These measures are important, but their value also depends on how effectively heating and cooling is distributed and controlled and throughout the building. The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive also reinforces the importance of building automation and control systems.²

These elements can all contribute to the effective operation of a heating and cooling system but considering them holistically can help support overall system performance. An efficient heat source may not operate as intended if flow is not distributed appropriately. Controls alone do not address every underlying hydronic condition. Monitoring can help identify differences between expected and actual conditions, but the physical HVAC system must also be capable of responding to changing demand.

At Climate Control, a sector of IMI, we approach energy renovation from a whole-system perspective rather than as a series of isolated technology decisions. Hydronic balancing, pressure maintenance, water quality, room temperature control and connected monitoring each address different aspects of system operation. Considering how these elements work together can help support efficient system operation while responding to building and user requirements.

Closing the gap between design and operation

A well-designed system also needs to be appropriately installed, commissioned, reviewed and finetuned during operation, as building requirements may change over time. Occupancy, operating schedules and heating and cooling loads can all change over time.

At IMI, our engineering approach extends beyond individual products to consider how the wider HVAC system operates. The goal is not simply to add more technology. It is to help customers and partners consider how the different parts of an HVAC system work together, from design and specification through installation, commissioning and operation.