Energy-efficient humidification upgrade in Barcelona office building

The “Città di Granada” office building in Barcelona, owned by Inmobiliaria Colonial SFL, has undergone an HVAC system modernization aimed at improving energy efficiency while maintaining stable indoor environmental conditions. The initiative forms part of the company’s ESG and decarbonization strategy for its European office portfolio.

The project was developed in collaboration with CAREL and focused on upgrading the building’s humidification system while maintaining indoor comfort parameters of 21°C temperature and 50% relative humidity, essential for occupant comfort and air quality in commercial office environments.

Project context
As a major owner and operator of prime office buildings in Europe, Inmobiliaria Colonial SFL has been implementing energy optimization programs across its portfolio. The Barcelona project addressed the need to maintain high indoor air quality standards while reducing the energy demand associated with HVAC operations.

The modernization involved replacing an existing isothermal electrode humidification system with a high-pressure adiabatic humidification system, specifically the humiFog multizone Touch solution developed by CAREL.

Technical solution and implementation
The system was initially installed as a pilot project on one of the building’s air handling units (AHUs). A comparative evaluation was conducted between the new adiabatic technology and the previously installed humidification system to assess operational performance and energy consumption.

Adiabatic humidification systems operate by atomizing water into a fine mist that evaporates directly in the air stream, increasing humidity while consuming significantly less electrical energy compared with traditional steam-based humidification systems.

Measured results
Operational measurements indicated a 93.4% reduction in electrical energy consumption for humidification compared with the previous system. The results demonstrate the potential of adiabatic humidification technologies to reduce the energy demand of HVAC systems in commercial buildings.

The installation is integrated into the building’s Building Management System (BMS), enabling continuous monitoring of energy and water consumption and supporting data-driven operation and optimization of system performance.

The system is also VDI 6022 certified, ensuring compliance with hygiene standards for ventilation and air-conditioning systems and supporting reliable long-term operation.

Applications and sector relevance
The project provides a practical example of how HVAC modernization can simultaneously address energy efficiency and indoor air quality requirements in office buildings. By combining advanced humidification technology with digital monitoring tools, the system contributes to improved operational efficiency while maintaining stable environmental conditions for building occupants.

The “Città di Granada” installation demonstrates a model that can be replicated across commercial real estate portfolios seeking to reduce operational emissions and improve building performance.

Further technical details and project results will be presented by CAREL at MCE – Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, taking place in Milan Rho from 24 to 27 March, at stand A01/B10 in Hall 11.

Prepared with AI assistance and edited by an industrial journalist, Maria Brueva.

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