Elibeth Espinosa of AseTUB: Plastic pipes play a key role in air conditioning and refrigeration systems

Elibeth Espinosa, director of the construction division of the Spanish Association of Plastic Manufacturers (ANAIP) and its plastic pipe sector group, AseTUB, explains how these solutions are particularly suitable for applications with fluids at different temperatures and, reducing thermal losses and improving the energy efficiency of the system. 

How important are plastic pipes in the air conditioning and refrigeration sector?

Plastic pipe systems play a key role in air conditioning and refrigeration systems because of their versatility, corrosion resistance, light weight and ease of installation. They are particularly suitable for applications with fluids at different temperatures, such as cold water, hot water or even coolants, thanks to their thermally and chemically stable performance.

Plastic solutions also reduce thermal losses and improve the energy efficiency of the system. Technologies like multilayer systems (PEX/AL/PEX) or cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) piping systems are widely used in underfloor heating and air-conditioning networks in buildings. 

What are the main pre-requisites to be taken into account in order to achieve resource efficiency?

In order to achieve an efficient use of resources in air-conditioning and refrigeration by means of plastic pipe systems, a number of pre-requisites. The first of these is the right technical design, as precise planning of the routing and dimensioning avoids oversizing, unnecessary load losses and improves the performance of the system. The second is a selection of materials with a low environmental footprint. It is a matter of choosing plastic pipes with environmental product declaration (EPD) or sustainability certifications. Plastic pipes have a low carbon footprint compared to other materials.

The third premise is the training of installers: ensuring professionals are qualified and trained in good practices to avoid installation errors that compromise efficiency. In addition to all of this, maintenance and control is also provided, incorporating digital monitoring and control elements to optimise energy use and detect leaks or failures. 

What regulations must be adhered to in this area?

Air-conditioning and refrigeration installations with plastic pipes must comply with a set of technical and regulatory standards, among which the UNE-EN standards stand out, most of which are specific European standards for plastic materials, such as UNE-EN ISO 15875 for PE-X, UNE-EN ISO 21003 for multilayer systems, etc. In addition to the RITE (Regulation of Thermal Installations in Buildings), which establishes energy efficiency and safety requirements; there is the CTE (Technical Building Code), and especially the DB-HE (Energy Saving) and DB-HS (Health and Safety); as well as voluntary quality marks, such as the AENOR mark.

What degree of sustainability and digitalisation is achieved in plastic piping systems?

Plastic piping systems have advanced considerably in sustainability and digitalisation. More and more manufacturers are incorporating recycled content into their products, applying eco-design principles and publishing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). There are also voluntary schemes such as ANAIP's Spanish Sustainable Plastics Industry Label, which certifies both the environmental performance of the product and the social and governance responsibility of the company. Progress is also being made in the integration of smart installation and control systems, use of BIM (Building Information Modelling) for design and project integration. 

Tell us a little about the technological development of plastic materials used in air conditioning and refrigeration.

In recent years, solutions have been developed with higher thermal and mechanical resistance, longer service life and better performance against pressure and oxygen diffusion, improving the efficiency and reliability of the systems. It is also important to highlight the role of plastic pipes in the drive towards decarbonisation of buildings. Their low weight and ease of installation allow energy consumption to be reduced, not only during production, but also during transport and assembly, helping reduce the environmental impact of the entire installation cycle.

In short, plastic pipes not only provide value from the technical point of view, but have become a strategic element for achieving more sustainable, efficient installations in line with the current challenges the sector faces.