Global Solutions for Sustainable Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Systems and Their Suitability to the New Zealand Market

Abstract

This paper attempts to find alternative ways in which heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems can be made more energy efficient and sustainable at a global level. Eight technologies or solutions that either passively or supplementarily reduce the heating or cooling load required by a structure are detailed. These technologies or solutions were then presented to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry professionals in New Zealand to determine their viability and further establish market readiness towards integrating new, innovative, and sustainable solutions in New Zealand. A literature review was conducted to establish the performance of the selected solutions and understand their operational principles and the efficiency they provided. Qualitative research and data collected via semi-structured interviews provided the data for assessing the viability of the selected technologies in the New Zealand market. Following a thematic and hybrid-thematic analysis of the data, the technologies were ranked, and suggestions were made to help improve innovation and energy efficiency in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry in New Zealand. Of the technologies selected, airtightness, heat recovery ventilation retrofits, materials and design principles, and photovoltaic hot water heating were identified as the most viable. The New Zealand market was deemed not to be in a good position to adopt new or alternative solutions. The main issues affecting New Zealand’s market readiness to assimilate innovative and energy-efficient solutions are a lack of new technologies, poor standards of education throughout the industry, a lack of regulation, and a lack of government incentives.