In many existing office buildings, fossil-fuel heating systems and separate air conditioning units are operated, often controlled independently of each other. These conventional systems are not only energy-inefficient but also contribute significantly to the CO₂ emissions of the building sector.

Given the urgent need to decarbonize the building stock and optimize energy consumption, the use of integrated heating and cooling systems is becoming increasingly important. Such systems can both heat and cool, offering a more efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional solutions. The choice of the appropriate system and refrigerant plays a crucial role, as the different options vary in both efficiency and investment and operating costs.

As part of this research project, a systematic analysis will be conducted to determine which heating and cooling systems and refrigerants are best suited to replace fossil-fuel heating and existing cooling generation for climate control in office buildings. To this end, a systematic comparison of three heating and cooling systems using different refrigerants will be carried out.