Keep HVAC/R systems running stably in the face of climate change
Buildings cannot press the "pause button" when climate patterns change, and the same is true for HVAC/R systems. HVAC/R equipment is facing more severe challenges than ever due to rising temperatures, humidity changes, and frequent extreme weather. About 75 percent of the world's land area has become chronically dry over the past 30 years, according to a new report from Climate Central.
These changes aren't just statistics; they create real operational pressures: Increased uptime, increased equipment load, higher maintenance frequency, and higher life cycle costs. The good news is - with proper planning and proactive maintenance, systems can remain efficient, reliable, and cost-effective.
The key challenges brought about by climate change
1. Extreme heat
Hotter summers mean that HVAC/R equipment - especially compressors and condensers - need to run longer and at higher intensity. Higher condensing pressures, longer operation times, and increased thermal loads can accelerate equipment wear, increase the risk of leaks, and shorten service life.
Notes
Check and change your air filter regularly - dust and particles accumulate faster in hot, dry climates.
Keep the condenser coil clean and maintain proper refrigerant charging to reduce energy consumption and prevent overheating.
Outdoor units should have good shading, adequate space and proper insulation to reduce heat absorption and protect the equipment.
2. Extreme humidity (too high or too low)
Whether the humidity is too high or too low, it will bring challenges to the HVAC/R system. In high humidity environment, the dehumidification load will rise synchronously with the refrigeration demand. However, in dry areas, if there is no effective humidity control, indoor air quality and comfort will decrease significantly.
Best Practice
In high humidity areas: monitoring humidity accumulation, regular maintenance of air ducts, filters and coils; Use a dehumidifier of appropriate capacity; Make sure it is well insulated to prevent condensation.
In low humidity areas: Integrate humidification units in HVAC systems, maintain regular maintenance, and prevent dry air leakage through sealing and insulation controls.
3. Extreme weather events
Storms, floods, strong winds and power instability are no longer uncommon. HVAC/R systems must operate stably in a variety of environments, not just in "good weather".
System resilience strategy
Equip the system with emergency power, especially for critical facilities.
Work with building management team to enhance water, wind and drainage protection.
Timely check equipment after extreme weather, prioritize maintenance personnel safety, and coordinate with emergency departments if necessary.
Proactive maintenance: The lifeline of system resilience
Addressing the climate challenge is not a temporary fix, but a proactive maintenance. Studies have shown that in hot, dry or humid areas, maintenance costs can be significantly reduced, premature failure can be avoided, and service life can be extended by appropriately increasing the frequency of maintenance.
List of maintenance points
- Establish a regular inspection schedule, focusing on filter, coil, refrigerant charging and airflow.
- Track wear and leak trends and replace parts in advance rather than waiting for failure to occur.
- Develop climatological maintenance standards (e.g., increased frequency of maintenance during seasonal extremes).
- Integrating maintenance strategies with sustainability goals: preventing refrigerant leakage, optimizing energy consumption and extending equipment life are all part of environmental responsibility.
Designed for climate resilience
The key to making systems durable and efficient in a changing climate starts at the design stage. Design not just for "average" climate conditions, but for extremes, which are becoming the norm.
The key design points include:
1. Appropriately increase the coil heat transfer area or condensing capacity to cope with higher outdoor temperatures.
2. Select components that can operate stably in high temperature environments (such as chillers or condensing units under high ambient temperature conditions).
3. Improve the insulation, shading and ventilation design of outdoor units to reduce heat load.
According to the local humidity conditions, reasonable configuration of dehumidification or humidification function. Redundant, standby power supply and modular design ensure rapid repair or replacement in case of equipment failure. In this way, climate resilience is no longer an additional cost, but an intrinsic property of the system.
Why is this particularly important at present
Climate-related facility risks are no longer a future problem, but a present reality. Systems installed a few years ago may need to be re-evaluated, tweaked, or upgraded today to maintain efficient operation. If you wait until performance deteriorates or equipment fails, the price will be higher maintenance costs, lost downtime, and disrupted operations.
By designing and maintaining for resilience, rather than just meeting minimum specifications. Building owners, operators and consultants can ensure comfort, reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs, and create systems that will stand the test of time.
Summary
Climate change is exacerbating stress on HVAC/R systems - from high temperature loads, to humidity fluctuations, to extreme weather events. But the good news is that resilience is entirely achievable through smart design, proactive maintenance, and climate-conscious mindset.
When we see "climate resilience" as a core element of the system rather than an afterthought, HVAC/R professionals build systems that not only operate, but continue to perform well in changing environments.
Want to make your HVAC/R system more forward-looking?
Evaluate your design standards, maintenance schedules, and fault tolerance today, not tomorrow.
