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Must read: new handbook of best practices for room air conditioner installation

The Center for Environmental Energy Engineering (CEEE) at University of Maryland, the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), Centro Studi Galileo, and the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD) have released an open access handbook, co-authored by IIR expert Yunho Hwang, which explains how to appropriately install high-efficiency room air conditioners. 

Air conditioning is the main contributor to the impact of refrigeration on global energy consumption and carbon emissions. According to IIR, air conditioning alone accounts for 12% of global electricity consumption [1]. 

Optimal installation of energy-efficient room air conditioners is one way of mitigating this environmental impact, as proper installation significantly reduces refrigerant emissions during the appliance lifetime.  

 

The Center for Environmental Energy Engineering (CEEE) at University of Maryland, the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), Centro Studi Galileo, and the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD) have released an open access handbook which explains how to appropriately install high-efficiency room air conditioners (RACs) for the highest energy efficiency and lowest carbon footprint over the products’ lifetime [2]. This comprehensive, open-source guide has been created for HVAC professionals and their business, government, and residential customers. 

 

Co-authored by IIR expert Yunho Hwang, the handbook covers the following topics: 

  • Energy-Efficient Installation Techniques: Explains how the placement and setup of your AC unit can enhance energy efficiency, ensuring that RACs run at peak performance while using less power. 
  • Choosing the Right RAC Unit: Takes an in-depth look at selecting high-efficiency, eco-friendly air conditioners that are best suited for different climates and building types. 
  • Refrigerant Management: Reveals the latest developments on sustainable refrigerants that minimise harmful emissions and promote cooling with lower environmental impact. 
  • Smart Thermostat Integration: Provides best practices for integrating RACs with smart technologies to optimise cooling cycles for reduced energy usage. 
  • Maintenance and Longevity: Gives tips for maintaining RAC systems to ensure they remain efficient over time, helping to extend their life cycle and reduce the need for replacement units. 

 

The authors welcome suggestions from RAC experts regarding edits and additions as the Handbook is improved and made available for translation to other languages. 

 

The handbook is available in open access on FRIDOC and on the IGSD website.  

 

 

Sources 

[1] Dupont, J. L., & Oudart, L. (2024). CO2 emissions from air conditioning, 57th Informatory Note on Refrigeration Technologies. International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR). https://doi.org/10.18462/iif.NItec57.07.2024  

[2] Hwang, Yunho and Stephen O. Andersen (2025), Handbook of Best Practices: Room Air Conditioner Installation for the Lowest Carbon Footprint. The Center for Environmental Energy Engineering, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Emissions of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, Centro Studi Galileo, and the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development. https://www.igsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Handbook-of-Room-AC-Installation.pdf