Insights from the Eurovent PG-RT Chairperson

Filip Konieczny is the Chairperson of the Eurovent Product Group ‘Rooftop Units’ (PG-RT) and the Development Director at Flowair. In this interview, he gives us an insight into the activities of PG-RT.

Could you tell us about yourself and how you got involved in the HVACR industry?

About 15 years ago, I faced a difficult choice. I was finishing high school and had to choose a field of study for my further education. The dilemma of which direction would be my future bothered me a lot. During one hot summer vacation, I got stuck in a traffic jam on a highway for several hours. While I was exposed to the sun, it made me realise that this difficult situation could be a clue for me. I thought: “People will always need to stay comfortable in an environment with a good temperature and breathe fresh air. There will always be a demand in the labour market for specialists in related fields.” I decided to look for a field of study that would allow me to develop in the HVAC industry.

After the holidays, I started higher education at the Gdansk University of Technology in Poland. A few years later, I graduated with a master’s degree in Power Engineering, specialising in Heating and Air-conditioning Technologies. Over ten years ago, during the last year of my studies, I started cooperating with FLOWAIR. I have gained experience over the years in various company areas. I started by working in the Sales Department, learning about customers’ everyday needs. I then went deeper into the Project Support Department, which specialises in working with designers and specifiers. Then, it was time for a more ‘product area’, which resulted in me starting as a Product Manager responsible for fan heaters and, later, for rooftop units. At a similar time, I became involved in the Export Team, where we did everything to develop export markets with my Marketing and Export Department colleagues. Recently, I was responsible for business development and the Business Unit of HVAC products.

Today, I still work at FLOWAIR as a Development Director. Together with the Product and Project Managers teams, I am responsible for developing the company’s product portfolio and managing future projects. I am also involved in many side activities such as projects, lectures, fairs and events related to the HVAC industry. In 2020, I was elected Chairman of the Eurovent PG-RT.

These experiences allowed me to use the acquired theoretical and practical knowledge and contribute to developing HVAC projects. I hope I managed to save a few people from the terrible experiences I had myself many years ago on the highway.

What are the main focus points of the Product Group ‘Rooftop Units’, and could you tell us the current challenges in the sector and how the Product Group is tackling them?

PG-RT encompasses many aspects related to rooftop devices. In our regular meetings, we address topics related to European and national legislation, issues concerning the development of standards and recommendations, and matters of market promotion of rooftop technology.

Our current focus is mainly on the revisions of the Ecodesign and F-Gas Regulations, which are also the main challenges facing rooftop unit manufacturers and the industry. The upcoming restrictions will require producers to technically adapt their devices or change some application areas.

Rooftop units are complex constructions containing various components, such as compressors, fans, heat exchangers, and filters. That’s why our area of interest also includes all legislative changes and requirements related to the components. What would a rooftop unit be without a building? Discussions on EPBD and the impact of rooftop units on the buildings and sustainable development are regular items on our agenda.

Another challenge and goal for our group is promoting rooftop unit technology in the market. There is enormous market potential for rooftop units. Especially nowadays, with the popularisation of heat pump technology, rooftops (which can operate as year-round comfort – IEQ maintenance units) are finding increasingly broader applications in new market segments. As a Product Group, we take initiatives to further increase awareness about rooftop units even further. One example of such initiatives is the comprehensive Rooftop Units Guidebook, which familiarises clients and decision-makers with rooftop unit technology.

Could you elaborate on what the prEN 17625 consists of and focuses on and who could benefit from it?

The existing standards for air conditioning devices covered a much more comprehensive range of products than just rooftop devices. Because rooftop devices are functionally and structurally different from other air conditioning devices, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has started developing a new standard that will be more suited to this type of product.

The prEN 17625 standard, with its comprehensive methodology and precise conditions, defines the parameters for testing rooftop units. It is designed for units that ensure thermal comfort by heating and cooling the measurements. The standard encompasses various configurations of rooftop devices and includes features specific to these devices, such as free cooling. It also specifies partial load conditions and calculation methods based on the EN14825 standard, maintaining aspects related to rooftop devices and ensuring a thorough and reliable standard.

Introducing the new standard will undoubtedly allow for better reproduction of natural conditions in the tested performance. It will primarily benefit decision-makers, who will be able to make more informed choices when comparing technologies and estimating their impact on operational issues. The new standard will also positively impact the development of rooftop devices, which will be directed towards a path closer to actual environmental conditions. After the publication of the standard, it is planned to apply to the European Commission for harmonisation of the standard for Regulation (EU) 2016/2281. Eurovent Certification experts and participants of PG-RT actively participated in the development of the EN 17625 standard.