RITE modifies key aspects for the air-conditioning sector

The Regulation of Thermal Installations in Buildings (RITE) has incorporated Royal Decree 178/2021, amending R.D. 1027/2007. This entails a series of modifications to key aspects for the HVAC sector.

As AFEC (Association of HVAC Equipment Manufacturers) reminds us, the RITE, which serves as the basic regulatory framework for energy efficiency and safety requirements that thermal installations in buildings must comply with to meet people’s comfort and hygiene needs, has incorporated changes derived from various European legislative texts. Among these are:

• Directive 2018/844, amending the 2010/31 Directive on Building Energy Efficiency and the 2012/27 Directive on Energy Efficiency.
• Directive 2018/2002, amending Directive 2012/27.
• Directive 2018/2001, promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

Additionally, the new RITE text adapts to:

• Various ecodesign regulations that have been approved in recent years, implementing measures from the Ecodesign Framework Directive (2009/125).
• Different Delegated Regulations regarding Energy Labeling.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THERMAL INSTALLATIONS

This Phase I of the RITE modification also introduces several requirements for thermal installations aimed at reducing primary energy consumption by 39.5%, as outlined in Spain’s PNIEC 2021-2030 (National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan).

Thus, the RITE is fundamental for achieving certain measures in the cited plan, such as residential equipment renewal, promoting energy efficiency in tertiary sector buildings and cooling systems, and large HVAC installations in public sector infrastructures.

The most relevant points for the HVAC sector include:

• Changes to the wording of regulations.
• Updates to the Technical Instructions (IT) and New IT sections in this RITE update, addressing:
  • Preparation of hot water for sanitary use, referring to the Technical Building Code (IT 1.2.4.1.2.4).
  • Ventilation units (IT 1.2.4.2.8).
  • Thermal emitters (IT 1.2.4.2.9).
  • Automation and control systems (IT 1.2.4.3.5).
  • Overall energy efficiency of the thermal installation (IT 1.2.4.8).
  • Consumption information (IT 3.4.5).
  • Independent experts (IT 4.2.4).
  • Independent control system (IT 4.2.5).
  • Inspection exemptions (IT 4.3.4).
• Changes to Appendices.
• Other provisions.

RITE: SUMMARY OF KEY CHANGES FOR THE HVAC SECTOR

AFEC, an association to which Borealis belongs, has prepared a summary highlighting the most relevant modifications and updates for the HVAC sector to facilitate a quick overview of recent RITE changes in connection with the new Royal Decree 178/2021, which amends R.D. 1027/2007 and approves the Regulation of Thermal Installations in Buildings (RITE).

This RITE update represents Phase I, and work is underway on Phase II, aimed at incorporating more technical adjustments to adapt the regulation to technological advancements and other EU regulations.

The summary document can be viewed here

In addition, the consolidated text of the Regulation of Thermal Installations in Buildings (RITE) is available on the association’s website.

Sources:

• https://www.climanoticias.com/texto-diario/mostrar/2856622/rite-modifica-aspectos-relevantes-sector-climatizacion
• https://www.afec.es/es/noticia.php?noticia=217