Environmentally friendly supermarket air conditioning
Hybrid VRF system (HVRF) for the Budnikowsky drugstore chain
BambergSupermarkets, drugstores and many other retail outlets want to offer their customers a pleasant indoor climate – and at the same time endeavour to make their contribution to environmental protection with eco-friendly air conditioning. Read how the Budnikowsky drugstore branch in Bamberg, Germany, was able to noticeably reduce its energy consumption and make a significant contribution to CO2 reduction.
“Our customers should feel comfortable in the stores and do their shopping in a pleasant atmosphere. Therefore, we would like to make their stay with us as enjoyable as possible and help them to get an optimal shopping experience. This includes a comfortable indoor climate as well as socially and environmentally responsible practices in the stores.” // Olaf Birger, owner and store manager
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- Drugstore with eco-friendly air-conditioning technology
- Sales area can be heated and cooled simultaneously
- Strict environmental specifications are combined with comfort and safety
- Up to 50 % energy savings thanks to heat recovery
What were the requirements for the air-conditioning technology?
Requirements- On one hand, the air-conditioning solution for the Budnikowsky drugstore branch had to keep the sales area temperature as stable as possible. At the same time, different temperature profiles had to be taken into account to ensure that temperature-sensitive cosmetic products retain their quality and product properties.
- On the other hand, a pleasant indoor climate was to be created for employees in the staff and social areas.
- To avoid implementation of additional safety measures, the management did not want any refrigerant pipes in the sales area.
- These requirements were not to be met with a conventional solution, but with sustainable and environmentally friendly air-conditioning technology.
Which air-conditioning solution did the drugstore opt for?
To be able to optimally serve the different areas in their respective requirement profiles, Budnikowsky has decided in favour of two different systems:
- For the sales area, a City MultiHybrid VRF System (HVRF)with heat recovery was chosen, which allows simultaneous cooling and heating.
- The air conditioning concept is supported with a multi-split system that can be used to cool or heat the staff rooms.
Requirement: different temperature zones
Due to quite different temperature requirements within the shop, there are areas where cooling is required while other zones require heating. For example, rows of shelves with cosmetics need to be kept cool while the checkout counter requires heating. The HVRF system is a 2-pipe system for simultaneous cooling and heating with heat recovery. This functionality allows to use excess heat within the store for heating. Since the heat energy required for areas to be heated is already available, this energy no longer needs to be produced: Depending on the system configuration, up to 50 % energy can be saved in this way.
Requirement: no refrigerant in the sales area
The decisive factor in this specific case was that only non-hazardous water is used as a heat transfer medium in the HVRF system in the sales area. Thanks to separation into a refrigerant-based and a water-based section, the system can dispense with alarm functions, safety measures on the ventilation and special precautions on the valves. This rules out potential conflicts with DIN EN 378 or IEC 60335-2-40 in rooms occupied by people in the first place.
About the function: In the HVRF system, theR32 refrigerantonly flows between the outdoor unit and a central distribution unit (Hybrid BC controller). In this distribution unit, energy is transferred from the refrigerant to water, which is then forwarded to the indoor units.
“This is quite important for us as an operator, as the F-Gas refrigeration system leak test is much easier to carry out due to the use of water as a carrier medium, because the indoor units do not need to be checked.” // Olaf Birger, owner and store manager
Requirement: pleasant indoor climate for employees
A Mitsubishi Electric M series multi-split system is used for staff and social areas. This modern air-conditioning system is characterised by its compact dimensions and high energy efficiency. In cooling mode, the system works like a conventional air-conditioning system. In heating mode, it serves as a heat pump, i.e. the system can also be used for heating with a heating output of up to 8.6 kW in changeover mode. A wall-mounted unit is installed in the store manager’s office and in the kitchen, while a Euro grid ceiling cassette ensures pleasant temperatures in the staff changing room.
Requirement: environmentally friendly air conditioning
Both the City Multi Hybrid VRF system and the multi-split system use the R32 refrigerant with a low global warming potential (GWP). With a GWP of 675, it is more than two thirds lower than the GWP of the commonly used R410A refrigerant with a GWP of 2088. With a Hybrid VRF system using the R32 refrigerant, it is already possible today to meet the CO2 equivalent required by the EU for the year 2030. In addition, R32 is noticeably more efficient. This is because the volumetric cooling capacity of R32 exceeds that of R410A by around 20 % while its efficiency is higher by approx. 4.4 %. This also means that around 20 % less refrigerant is required.
Benefits for environment and store operations
Summary- No need for additional safety measures thanks to the separation into a refrigerant-based and a water-based system section
- Only water is used in indoor circuits
- No conflicts with DIN EN 378 or IEC 60335-2-40
low operating costs, no complex leak test required - With a GWP of 675, the R32 refrigerant is future-proof
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