Sergi Cantón (Airtècnics): Since C&R 2025, we have made progress on real-world modernisation projects

What solutions does Airtècnics offer the market, and what is its main focus at present?

At Airtècnics, we work to provide solutions that help the industry move towards more efficient, reliable and sustainable heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, particularly through the modernisation of existing installations.

One of our main areas of focus at present is retrofitting air handling units (AHUs) using our ECFanGrid solution. Many installations still use traditional belt-driven fans, which not only require more maintenance but can also have high energy consumption and lower reliability.

ECFanGrid makes it possible to replace these systems with an array of high-efficiency EC plug fans, tailored to the specific requirements of each installation. By operating several fans in parallel, each can run close to its optimum operating point. At the same time, the system provides redundancy, allowing operations to continue even if one of the fans fails.

Our aim is not simply to reduce energy consumption, but to offer a comprehensive solution that improves efficiency, reliability, maintenance and operational continuity. In the projects we have completed so far, we have achieved energy savings of at least 35%, exceeding 50% in certain cases.

What advantages and added value does the ECFanGrid solution offer?

For ventilation retrofits, we offer ECFanGrid, a modular, custom-designed solution for modernising existing AHUs.

Airtècnics supplies the complete system: EC plug fans, steel framework, adaptation and sealing components, electrical control cabinet, sensors, and control and regulation systems. The solution can also be integrated with the building's Building Management System (BMS) using standard communication protocols and signals.

However, we believe that our added value also lies in the service we provide. We offer a turnkey solution, beginning with an assessment of the existing installation and the collection of the data needed to size the system correctly. Using information on airflow, pressure, AHU dimensions and the actual energy consumption of the existing fans, we can carry out an initial assessment and calculate the potential energy savings.

We then take care of the technical proposal, planning, supply and support during installation and commissioning, as well as providing technical assistance and after-sales service.

The modular design of ECFanGrid makes it particularly suitable for retrofit projects. Its components are compact and can be transported through conventional access points, reducing the need for major structural modifications to the building. Maintenance is also straightforward and, thanks to the system's built-in redundancy, the failure of an individual fan does not necessarily mean that the entire system has to shut down.

How important will the modernisation and improved efficiency of ventilation systems be in Spain over the coming years?

We believe that one of the industry's greatest challenges in the coming years will be improving the energy efficiency of existing installations.

The transition towards more efficient equipment is not just about building new facilities. There is a vast installed base of AHUs and ventilation systems that can continue operating for many years but still use ventilation technologies that no longer offer the levels of efficiency, control and reliability achievable today.

That is why we believe retrofitting will become increasingly important. Modernising a ventilation system not only reduces electricity consumption and associated emissions, but also improves system control, reduces maintenance requirements and increases reliability.

Another important consideration is that efficiency must also be assessed from an economic perspective. Knowing the percentage of energy savings is not enough: it is essential to determine the installation's actual energy consumption, quantify the savings, calculate the payback period and explore financing options or mechanisms such as Energy Savings Certificates (CAEs). In this respect, the project itself can generate additional financial returns, making the investment even more attractive.

Ultimately, we believe the future of the industry lies in combining energy efficiency, electrification, digitalisation, intelligent control, reliability and the modernisation of existing installations. The goal must be to develop systems that consume less energy, are easier to maintain and, above all, deliver reliable performance throughout their service life.

What was your experience of participating in C&R 2025, and how did it help strengthen your business and position within the industry?

Our participation in C&R 2025 was particularly important because it allowed us to present ECFanGrid directly to industry professionals and showcase a solution that addresses one of today's most pressing needs: improving the energy efficiency of existing installations without necessarily having to replace the entire AHU.

Direct contact with installers, engineering firms, maintenance providers, specifiers and facility managers gave us a better understanding of the market's real needs while allowing us to explain the possibilities offered by retrofitting with EC fans.

For us, trade fairs such as C&R also provide an opportunity to establish new partnerships and identify potential applications across different industrial sectors. Since presenting the solution, we have made progress on real-world modernisation projects, including installations in the livestock, food and pharmaceutical industries.

These projects are allowing us to take the technology from the exhibition floor into real-world applications and demonstrate its potential for energy savings with concrete data. The initial results confirm that there is considerable room for improvement in installations using conventional ventilation systems: we are achieving energy savings of over 35%, in some cases reaching 50% or more.