29 May 2025

Guests celebrate the opening of the expanded UL Solutions HVAC Laboratory on May 14, 2025, in Carugate, Italy. Pictured above left to right: Luca Maggioni​, mayor of Carugate; Mirko Bautz, regional vice president, Europe Central-East & South, UL Solutions; Alberto Uggetti, executive vice president and chief commercial officer​, UL Solutions; Alessio Dellanoce​, vice president and general manager, Appliances, HVAC and Lighting, UL Solutions;​ and Davide Atzeni, director and regional general manager, EMEA, Appliances, HVAC and Lighting, UL Solutions​.

 

UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science, has announced a major expansion of its HVAC testing facility in Carugate, Italy, reinforcing its commitment to support the rapidly growing European heat pump market. This investment responds to surging demand for comprehensive performance and safety testing as manufacturers face evolving regulations and rising consumer expectations for energy-efficient, environmentally friendly technologies.

The upgraded facility offers integrated testing for both performance and safety, serving manufacturers of residential and commercial heat pumps. It enables faster product development cycles and market access while helping clients meet the latest European standards — including those related to alternative refrigerants, energy efficiency, and electromagnetic compatibility.

UL Solutions: Enabling Global Trust in Evolving Technologies

With a legacy spanning over 125 years, UL Solutions has become a cornerstone of global product safety and quality assurance. The organization provides testing, inspection, and certification services across a wide range of sectors, including building materials, energy, consumer technology, and industrial automation. In the HVAC sector, UL is recognized for its comprehensive capabilities in product compliance, safety, and sustainability verification.

By expanding its Carugate lab, UL strengthens its presence in Europe at a crucial time for the heating and cooling industry, providing manufacturers with a one-stop solution for testing heat pumps using the latest refrigerants and design technologies.

Why Heat Pumps Are Gaining Ground in Europe

Heat pumps — which move heat rather than generating it — are becoming the backbone of Europe’s transition to climate-neutral heating and cooling. These systems extract heat from the air, water, or ground, and can provide both heating and cooling through an electrically powered cycle. Because they operate with significantly higher energy efficiency compared to fossil-fuel systems, heat pumps are seen as a cornerstone of the EU’s decarbonization plans.

According to the European Heat Pump Association, heat pump installations across Europe surpassed 3 million units in 2023, with sustained double-digit growth expected through the end of the decade. Much of this momentum is tied to the European Union’s Fit for 55 climate package and related policies like the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and Ecodesign regulations, which set higher standards for energy efficiency and emissions.

At the same time, the shift to low-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants such as R32, R454B, and natural refrigerants like R290 (propane) introduces new testing requirements for safety, performance, and regulatory compliance — especially due to increased flammability risks.

Advanced Testing Capabilities at UL’s Carugate Facility

The expanded Carugate lab is now fully equipped to address these market demands. New services include:

• Energy efficiency testing for air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps, including performance in standby and off modes, aligning with Ecodesign standards.

• Safety testing for systems using alternative refrigerants, with a focus on flammability and pressure behavior.

• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and wireless coexistence testing, ensuring heat pumps function properly in digitally connected environments.

• Sound power level analysis, a critical parameter for residential adoption and compliance with local noise regulations.

• Marketing Claim Verification and custom R&D programs, enabling manufacturers to validate and differentiate their products in a competitive landscape.

By providing these services from a centralized European hub, UL Solutions helps reduce lead times and streamlines the certification process for manufacturers looking to enter or expand in the EU market.

Supporting EU Climate Goals with Trusted Compliance

“Europe’s HVAC sector is undergoing a transformation driven by climate policy, market demand, and innovation in refrigerant technology,” said Alessio Dellanoce, Vice President and General Manager of the Appliances, HVAC, and Lighting division at UL Solutions. “Our expanded Carugate laboratory simplifies the path to compliance for our customers and allows them to get energy-efficient, regulation-ready products to market faster.”

The Carugate facility also supports compliance with major EU frameworks such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and it acts as a certification body for KEYMARK — the European quality certification for heat pumps and other HVAC equipment that meet EN standards.

Looking Ahead

As heat pumps continue to play a central role in reducing Europe’s building-related emissions — which currently account for 36% of the EU’s total CO₂ emissions — the importance of trusted, high-quality testing cannot be overstated. UL Solutions’ expansion in Carugate is a strategic move that not only reinforces its leadership in safety science, but also strengthens the supply chain for one of Europe’s fastest-growing clean technologies.

By offering an end-to-end testing environment for safety, energy performance, and compliance, UL Solutions helps manufacturers stay ahead in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape — and empowers a more sustainable, decarbonized future for the built environment.