Exposing refrigeration underperformance
22nd February 2026
BELGIUM: Eurovent Certification has exposed what it claims are instances of product underperformance in the gas cooler sector.
A new white paper, published by the independent product certification body, identifies discrepancies between manufacturer-declared data and measured performance, and assesses the accuracy of Eurovent Certification’s correction factors used to predict CO₂ gas cooler performance across different climate zones.
Entitled Beyond the brochure: Exposing the reality of refrigeration product underperformance, the white paper reveals evidence that the heat rejection capacity of some gas coolers could be up to 53% lower than declared in central and northern European regions and up to 37% lower in warm weather climates.
In addition to exploring the consequences of inaccurate performance data, including the risks of greenwashing, it addresses critical topics such as refrigerant performance and utilisation, the growing adoption of natural refrigerants, and the importance of independent third-party verification.
The white paper further investigates the impact of an underperforming heat rejection component on both HFC and CO₂ refrigeration systems through a series of simulations analysing energy consumption, operating costs, and carbon emissions. It concludes with an overview of product performance certification and its important role in supporting transparency, credibility, and trust across the industry.
Eurovent Certification encourages decision makers to look beyond the brochure and question if the performance data available is independently verified and appropriately adapted to the conditions relevant to their project.
Sylvain Courtey, president of Eurovent Certification said, “This white paper sends a clear message to the sector. When performance data is not independently verified, or adapted to different regions, the consequences may ripple far beyond the equipment itself. Energy bills may rise, emissions increase, and entire systems may be compromised. Certification exists to protect the market from these risks.”
Full results from the test campaign and whole system simulations are included in the white paper, along with insights into core industry topics. It is available as a free download in English, French, German, Italian, Turkish and Spanish. It can be downloaded at www.eurovent-certification.com.
