The energy performance of a cooling system is influenced by a number of factors. The main ones typically include the type of fuel used and the seasonal coefficient of performance (COP) of the cooling equipment. Other factors also include the type of refrigerant, the quantity of refrigerant used and the annual refrigerant losses. Refer to the Refrigeration Cycle Schematic for more information.

Software & Data
The RETScreen Software Cooling System Model can be used worldwide to evaluate the energy use and savings, costs, emission reductions, financial viability and risk for cooling system energy efficiency measures. The software can model a wide variety of air-conditioning as well as medium and low temperature refrigeration projects in residential, commercial and institutional buildings and industrial facilities ranging from fuel switching, to improving the seasonal coefficient of performance of the cooling equipment, to reducing refrigerant losses and replacing the refrigerant with one that has a lower impact on global warming and on the ozone layer. The software (available in multiple languages) also includes product, project and climate databases, and a detailed user manual.

Note that for a detailed analysis of cooling systems, the user should refer to the Heating / Cooling section to learn more about the comprehensive cooling models available in RETScreen.

Click here to download RETScreen 4 (44 MB).

Training material
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - UNEP - Presentation slides (2.02 MB)
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - UNEP - Speaker's notes (31 KB)
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - UNEP - Quiz (20 KB)

e-Textbook / Guides
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - UNEP - Guide (268 KB)
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - Guide (4.47 MB)
Refrigeration and Heat Pumps - Guide (3.27 MB)
Economizers for Packaged Air-Conditioning Units - Technical fact sheet (177 KB)

Case studies / Templates
Energy efficiency - Commercial - MNECB
Energy efficiency measures - Industrial - Heat recovery - Food processing
Energy efficiency measures - Industrial - Manufacturing - Plastic
Energy efficiency measures - Institutional - Ventilation - Library / Canada
Energy efficiency - Residential - MNECB