Heat wave: fixed air conditioners subject to strict rules

Last month was the second month of June The warmest ever recorded in Switzerland. In Zurich and Bern, the thermometer exceeded 30 degrees for seven days in a row, while in Basel, this threshold was exceeded over a period of nine days. The forecasts indicate a continuous increase in these scorching episodes under the effect of global warming. For Marco von Wyl, director of the Swiss Cold Association, staying in many non -air -conditioned buildings is becoming more and more difficult in summer. For him, the increase in the use of air conditioning systems becomes inevitable.

Today, modern air conditioners are no longer de facto synonymous with pollution. The refrigerants used are now safe for the environment. In addition, the development of photovoltaic installations ensures sufficient electricity production during the summer.

The fixed installation of air conditioners in existing buildings in Switzerland remains almost impossible. This is why many people opt for mobile air conditioners, deemed ineffective, but not requiring any authorization.

Compulsory authorization

It is preferable to opt for fixed air conditioning systems, which offer better cooling of spaces while consuming relatively little electricity. This type of installation consists of two units: one fixed outside on the facade or the balcony, the other climb to the ceiling inside the accommodation. These two elements are connected to each other by a thin conduct.

To obtain a cantonal or municipal authorization, the installations of these “split” air conditioners must meet strict technical and energy requirements. The limitation of refrigeration power constitutes, according to Marco von Wyl, the main obstacle to their installation in Switzerland. For existing buildings, the maximum authorized power is 12 watts per square meter of cooled surface. This limit appears in the model directives of the cantons in terms of energy. Although it is only recommendations, they are generally adopted by most cantons.

According to Marco von Wyl, the 12 watts are not enough to correctly cool the buildings built in the 80s, because their thermal insulation is often insufficient. For constructions of the 1950s and 60s, this cooling power is even less suitable, unless additional insulation has been added later. In summary, in many situations, installing an adapted system is almost impossible.

Limit the power of air conditioners

The Conference of Cantonal Energy Directors (ENDK) is currently revising its prescription models. During the consultation, the Swiss Cold Association requested an increase in the power limit to 18 watts. The Endk maintains the current value of 12 watts, however. According to the energy directors, softening this prescription contradicts climate policy which aims to reduce energy consumption by renovating buildings.

However, a new exception will be introduced: the air conditioners with a higher power may be installed provided that additional electricity consumption is offset by a private solar installation. This rule is already applied in certain cantons, such as that of Bern.

The limitation of the power aims to ensure that air conditioners are only installed in buildings with adequate insulation. The objective is to prevent the summer heat as much as possible from invading the interior of the buildings. Consequently, several cantons have established strict standards for the envelope of buildings, essential conditions for the installation of air conditioning systems. Zurich, for example, requires effective thermal protection and good sealing. The majority of cantons also impose automated sun protection systems in order to prevent heat from entering unnecessarily through the windows.

In addition, air conditioners must comply with the federal prescription on noise protection. An installation fixed to the exterior wall may indeed bother the neighborhood.

“They will rather buy a mobile device”

These multiple regulations make it difficult to install fixed air conditioners. According to Marco von Wyl, the intention, although laudable, to encourage the renovation of buildings does not reflect reality: “It is illusory to believe that people will first isolate their house for 200,000 francs and install automatic blinds, then make the ambient temperature bearable thanks to an air conditioner. They will buy rather a mobile device.»

Consequently, the number of new fixed air conditioners installed each year remains limited. Marco von Wyl anticipates an annual growth of 2 to 4%. About 20,000 “split” air conditioners are installed annually, but this approximate estimate also includes the replacement of equipment already in place.

Greens respond to PLR attacks

The difficulty of installing air conditioners in existing buildings in Switzerland has aroused political debates. For the PLRcurrent regulations is an implicit prohibition on air conditioning, a situation it attributes to environmentalists. However, the current regulations are based on the directives of the Conference of Cantonal Energy Directors, mainly composed of representatives of bourgeois parties.

The president of the Greens, Lisa Mazzone, rejects the accusations of the PLR, calling them “lies”. She says she is in favor of the use of air conditioners where they are essential: in crèches, retirement homes, schools or hospitals. According to her, no environmental representative requests the prohibition of air conditioning, neither at the cantonal level nor at the federal level. In fact, in the Federal Parliament, only a premise of the Green National Councilor Christophe Clivaz addresses the subject: he wonders about the need to regulate mobile air conditioners, which he considers “ecologically absurd”, without however demanding their prohibition.

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