Air-conditioning in France

Energy and electricity consumption per sector

In 2002, the residential and tertiary sectors represented 43.4% of the final consumption of energy, the industry 23.2%, the transports 31.4% and agriculture 2%. Notice that from 2002, a new methodology has been adopted in France for calculating the energy balances based on international organisations [7].

Energy consumption in 2002 (corrected for climate) [7]

In France, 54.5 % of energy consumption by residential and tertiary sectors corresponds to electricity (20% for gas, 16% for petroleum and 9% for Renewable energy).

Electricity consumption in 2002

In 2000, the residential and tertiary sectors represented 25% (119 Mtons) of CO₂ production, 23% (1.7 Mtons) of CO production, 10% (0.066 Mtons) of SO₂ production [6]. In 1997, 14% (0.23 Mtons) of NO_x emissions and 19% (0.383 Mtons) of VOC emissions were due to residential and tertiary sectors [7].

Air conditioner equipment rate in tertiary sector in France

Tertiary sector represents a total surface of 784.5 millions of m² in 1999 [8]. About 19% of this surface is air conditioned, therefore about 149 millions of m². The French consumption due to air-conditioning is about 4.5 TWh (on the basis of 30 kWh/m²/year).

Evolution de la climatisation en France

The EECCAC study [4] of air conditioning market shows the high increase of Air-conditioning between 1990 and 2000 and makes forecasts for 2010 and 2020.

Evolution of the cooled floor area in France for 2010 and 2020 [4]

Evolution by equipment type

Room Air Conditioners up to 17.5 kW in France [9]
(figures based on production an importation provided to distributors networks and installation engineers,
the figures quoted by an asterisk have been built based on other sources)

Central Air Conditioners (>17,5 kW) in France [9]
(figures based on production an importation provided to distributors networks and installation engineers,
the figures quoted by an asterisk have been built based on other sources)

Geographical share of installations in 1999

Geographical share of installations in 1999 [10]

Share by equipment type

Share of central and individual air conditioning equipment in France
(in % of cooled floor area) [4]

Share by sector of Central air conditioning

In 2000, Batim'Etudes (pool on installation engineers) estimated to 14200, the number of central air conditioning installations. The CAC were installed to 45% in new buildings, to 49% in existing buildings and to 5% in replacement of old equipment [11].

Share by sector of central air conditioning installations in France
(in % of cooled floor area) [11]

Few key figures on energy consumption in buildings

Average residential ratios :

• specific electricity : 20.5 kWh/m²
• heating and hot water : 168 kWh/m²

Average tertiary ratios :

• total : 230 kWh/m²
• heating and hot water : 130-180 kWh/m²
• office lighting : 40-65 kWh/m²

Average air conditioning ratios

• Summer loads : 40-80 W/m²
• Annual consumption : 25 - 50 kWh/m²

In other economic tertiary sectors, these figures can be much more important (up to 400 W/m²) .

Few key figures on energy performance of central air conditioners

A way to characterise the thermodynamic and economic performances of an air conditioner is to determine its EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) in cooling mode and its COP (Coefficient Of Performance) applied to reversible AC in heating mode. The EER is the ratio between the cooling capacity and the electricity consumption.

With :

• Pf = cooling capacity (W)
• Pa = electricity consumption of the AC system (W). The auxiliaries such as fans and pumps are included.

In the following table, the minimum, average and maximum energy efficiencies of CAC are provided by equipment type and cooling capacity on a large panel of manufacturer's data (source EUROVENT) :

Average and extreme EER values for chillers on the EU market, split according to Eurovent internal categories, for year 1998 [12]

The screw compressors, mainly used with water condensers for high cooling capacities, have the best energy efficiency, in average 3.5. The majority of scroll compressors operates with air condensers with an average EER of 2.6. The reciprocating compressors cover a large range of cooling capacity with an average EER of 3.0. The performance difference between air cooled and water cooled AC systems is due to test conditions of ARI standard 550/590-98.

Average and range of EER and cooling capacity by compressor type [12]
(The figures in the circles correspond to model number used for this study,
no distinction between air cooled and water cooled AC systems is taken into account here)

During these last 20 years, efforts have been done to reduce energy consumption of AC systems: compressor efficiency, heat exchanger efficiency and others components have been improved. The efforts should now be concentrated on fan and pump efficiency. The increase of reliability and the decrease of costs of the Variable Refrigerant Flow offer a solution with a great potential for savings on ventilation and water flow. These savings can be offset by the increase of required ventilation rates and filtering and so energy consumption.

The share of energy consumption by auxiliary in the USA is shown on the following figure.

Share of energy consumption due to auxiliaries in commercial buildings [13]

The supply, return and exhaust fans represent 4/5 of auxiliary energy consumption. They are found in most of AC systems and operate 100% of total power during long periods.

For example, for a VAV system, auxiliaries can represent 62% of total AC energy consumption.

Energy consumption due to auxiliaries - VAV system [14]

For Fan Coil Unit, auxiliary consumption represents about 40% of total AC energy consumption.

Energy consumption due to auxiliaries - Fan Coil Unit [14]

References

[1] Revue Pratique du Froid, N°894, juin 2001

[2] MAD - L'Outil Froid, N°10, Avril 1999

[3] World market for air conditioning update 2001, J.A. GILES and W. ISHIDA, BSRIA, june 2000

[4] EECCAC, "Energy Efficiency and Certification of Central Air Conditioners", study for the D.G. Transportation-Energy (DGTREN) of the Commission of the E.U., Co-ordinator: J. ADNOT, septembre 2002.

[5] CBECS programme of the Energy Information Administration (DOE)

[6] " Energy Efficiency of Room Air-Conditioners ", EERAC, study for the Directorate General for Energy (DGXVII) of the Commission of the European Communities, Co-ordinator : J. ADNOT, mai 1999

[7] http://www.industrie.gouv.fr/

[8] " chiffres clés du bâtiments ", ADEME, 2002

[9] données Clim-info issues de Clim Pratique n°55, mai 2003

[10] "Batiment Relations Elec ", n°37, mai-juin 2000

[11] Clim Pratique n°45, avril 2002

[12] " Efficacité énergétique des systèmes de conditionnement d'air centralisés " , Julie Saba, Mémoire ingénieur, Ecole des Mines de Paris, Septembre 2000

[13] " Energy Consumption Characteristics of Commercial Buildings HVAC Systems. Volume II : Thermal Distribution, Auxiliary equipment and Ventilation ", Rapport DOE, Octobre 1999, http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/

[14] " Fan Demand and Energy ", Ashrae Journal, Juin 2000

Links

International Energy Agency - Key figures of energy

EUROPA - Web site of European Union - Atlas of energy

ADEME - French agency for environment and energy management

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