World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Star demonstrates EcoDesign compliant chiller

Star-factory-visit

Azanechiller-2.0UK: Guests from across the industry visited Star Refrigeration’s factory in Renfrew on Wednesday for the unveiling of the company’s brand new Azanechiller 2.0.

The visitors witnessed the first-built unit of the EcoDesign compliant chiller in operation, which is said to demonstrate energy efficiency figures 71% higher than the EU Directive Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEPS) requirement.

Guests were treated to a demonstration of the low charge ammonia chiller in action, plus an exclusive run through of current Azanechiller 2.0 installations, including East Kilbride Ice Rink and a number of chilled production facilities.

Dr Lewis Brown, sales engineer at Star Refrigeration, explained: “The benefits East Kilbride ice rink is set to receive from the upgrade to the new Azanechiller 2.0 include cost savings of £13,000 a year in electrical bills in comparison with other ‘best in class’ ammonia chillers, as well as carbon savings of 1,204 tons of CO2 over 20 years. When compared to their previous R22 plant, savings in the region of £30,000 will be expected.”

Star also laid on a CPD-certified EcoDesign Directive crash course to give guests a head start on getting prepared for the EU’s increasing energy efficiency requirements, the first wave of which comes into force next month.

From July 1, it will become mandatory for refrigeration manufacturers of MT and LT process chillers to declare performance and other technical details, in accordance with the EU-wide EcoDesign Directive Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEPS) requirements.

The EcoDesign Directive has emphasised its main goal to be the reduction of energy consumption (and therefore CO2 emissions) and other negative environmental impacts of chillers, particularly at the design stage.

It is expected that through the use of standardised, reliable and application–based energy performance ratios, end users will be able to make better and more informed decisions, which, by taking the total life cycle costs into account as opposed to focusing on capital costs alone, will have the potential to save users millions of pounds on energy bills.

Star’s Azanechiller 2.0 is said to exceed even the tightest MEPS of the directive, with efficiency figures that are up to 146% higher than the European EcoDesign Directive requirement for medium temperature chillers, up to 100% higher for comfort cooling chillers and up to 74% higher for high temperature chiller applications.

The regulations also make provision for each Member State to perform market surveillance checks. For example, any chiller placed on the market post-introduction of the regulations may be selected for testing by a body appointed by the Member State to verify that the chiller achieves the stated performance within an agreed tolerance.

Related stories:

https://www.coolingpost.com/uk-news/star-opens-doors-to-witness-chiller-tests/

 

Latest News

16th April 2026

HPA seeks support for non-domestic heat pumps

UK: The Heat Pump Association UK has called on the government to provide clear direction, aligned incentives, and sustained practical support to accelerate the deployment of heat pumps.
16th April 2026

LG expands Therma V heat pump range

UK: LG Electronics has expanded its Therma V heat pump range in the UK with two new residential and commerical additions.
16th April 2026

Nordic Climate expands Dutch interests

NETHERLANDS: Nordic Climate Group has acquired Ten Have Installatie BV, an Amsterdam-based company offering design, installation, and maintenance of air conditioning, heat pump, air handling, and heating systems.
15th April 2026

Guide to Building Safety Act compliance

UK: A new publication from the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) is designed to help companies demonstrate their competence and ability to comply with UK building safety legislation.
15th April 2026

ASHRAE signs MoU with naturals group NASRC

USA: “Natural” refrigerants body, the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) has entered into a new memorandum of understanding with ASHRAE.
14th April 2026

Haiti ratifies the Kigali Amendment

HAITI: The Republic of Haiti is the latest country to ratify the Kigali Amendment to phase down HFCs.