Air-conditioning is no longer just a topic for countries further south: Rising standards 

of living has resulted in a growing demand for comfort cooling in living and working 

spaces even across moderate climatic zones. The increasing need for energy also 

puts more focus on climate-friendly alternatives. Sigurd Schiller, eurammon member 

and Sales Manager for HVAC Germany South at Johnson Controls Systems & Service 

GmbH, explains the advantages of using natural refrigerants for air-conditioning 

systems and comments on future market potential.

 

1.  There is a growing trend to use natural refrigerants such as ammonia or 

hydrocarbons for air-conditioning. Which specific properties of these substances 

make them so attractive for use in air-conditioning systems?

Sigurd Schiller: On the one hand, natural refrigerants have the advantage of being 

available cheaply and at short notice in unlimited quantities, while covering many 

refrigeration applications. Natural refrigerants are also environmentally friendly and stand 

out because they are highly energy efficient and have no or only a very low direct global 

warming potential. Moreover, they do not come under the European Union's F-Gases 

Regulation and should therefore be the first choice for customers. Decades of 

experience has already been gained in handling and using these substances in many 

industrial applications. This experience and knowledge now needs to be transferred to 

the air-conditioning sector.

 

2.  There is also currently discussion about using natural refrigerants for mobile airconditioning. What potential do you see here?

Sigurd Schiller: By August 2015 in Germany alone, there were around 460,000 cars 

with the controversial refrigerant 1234yf used in their air-conditioning system registered. 

In the context of the further development of electro mobility, there are efforts to look into 

the possibilities for using natural refrigerants in combination with alternative refrigeration 

and heat pump systems. Natural refrigerants already offer great potential for mobile airconditioning, but just at the moment still higher initial investment cost being a drawback. 

 

3.  Shorter payback periods are often an argument in favour of systems using natural 

refrigerants with their energy-efficient operation. Even so, some operators are still 

put off by the frequently higher initial outlay. Which measures do you think are 

necessary to make natural refrigerants more attractive for air-conditioning 

systems?

Sigurd Schiller: The first step involved in enhancing the appeal of natural refrigerants in 

air-conditioning systems consists is reducing the system costs, for example by 

standardising products and installation conditions. At the same time, a change of 

approach is needed. Environmental awareness and sustainability must be given greater 

priority and importance in society at large and in the economy. Switzerland gives a 

positive example with its significantly stricter F-gases legislation that has driven the trend 

towards natural refrigerants.

 

 

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