New funding program: improving the energy efficiency of commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems is rewarded.

On February 12, 2024, a new funding program of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) came into force. The aim of the program is to improve the energy efficiency of stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems in commercial environments. 

Integrated into the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Directive, the program supports the integration of climate protection technologies. Another building block for achieving the climate targets set by the German government.

The program includes increasing energy efficiency, reducing refrigeration requirements and reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Measures that improve the energy efficiency of refrigeration and air conditioning systems with non-halogenated refrigerants are supported.

The GWP value stands for "Global Warming Potential" and is based on the reference value of carbon dioxide (_CO2) with a GWP value of 1. 

Natural refrigerants are e.g:

Carbon dioxide (CO2), name as refrigerant: R744, GWP: 1 

Ammonia (_NH3), name as refrigerant: R717, GWP: 0 

Propane (_C3H8), name as refrigerant: R290, GWP: 3

All companies that own, lease or rent the property on which the refrigeration or air conditioning system is to be installed are eligible to apply. Private individuals are not eligible, even if the system is to be rented to a company.

The amount of funding is based on the calculation formulas of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Directive 2024. Subsidized companies must provide BAFA with operating data every year for three years after commissioning the system to enable regular monitoring.

Further information on eligible measures and calculation formulas can be found on the BAFA website under the section "Refrigeration and air conditioning systems".