In the face of the climate emergency and increasingly hot summers, a French start-up is overturning the codes of traditional air conditioning. CAELI Energie has unveiled a revolutionary solution that promises to cool our homes without the need for an outdoor unit or refrigerant gas, and with electricity consumption cut by a factor of 5.
Imagine being able to cool your home without refrigerant gas (which is very harmful to the atmosphere), while consuming 5 times less electricity than conventional air conditioning. This is the feat achieved by CAELI Energya French start-up from the CNRS that could well revolutionise the way we think about thermal comfort.
At a time when heat waves are intensifying and environmental issues are becoming crucial, this innovation comes at just the right time.
An innovation that plays with the laws of heat
"Our air cooling technology uses two natural phenomena: water evaporation and heat exchange" explains Boris Terrasse, Business Developer at CAELI Energie.
In plain English:
- The appliance uses the evaporation of water to create cold, as when your skin naturally refreshes itself through perspiration.
- This cold is then transmitted to the air in your room by a heat exchangerbut without the humidity penetrating the room, which means you can have fresh, comfortable air.
(For those in the know, CAELI is working on the concept ofindirect adiabatic with dew point).
This innovative approach is based on patented technology, initially developed in CNRS laboratories. "The technology has existed for longer and was pushed to the limit by one of our founders, who was a researcher at the CNRS," explains our contact.
The secret to this performance? A sophisticated system of evapo-exchangers that produces surprising results:
- A COP (Coefficient of Performance) of 16, while the best air-conditioning systems are limited to 3-4
- Minimum power consumption of 35-90Wequivalent to one LED bulb
- No refrigerantsunlike traditional systems
- A carbon footprint reduced by 80% over the entire life cycle of the device
- Refreshed air that retains its natural humidity
Technology that revolutionises the approach to cooling
The principle: simple but ingenious
The innovation is based on a clever combination of two natural phenomena. "Take a damp towel in front of a fan: the air coming out is cooler, but very humid. This is direct evaporation" explains Boris Terrasse.
" We use this principle, but indirectlytaking the process all the way to the dew point (the temperature at which the air becomes so cold that it can no longer retain its humidity). This allows us to obtain fresh air without changing its humidity level.
Performance that defies the norm
The tests carried out in real-life conditions are particularly impressive. " When it's 34 degrees outside, we're able to blow air at 15 degrees." says Boris Terrasse. "And all this while consuming only the equivalent of an LED bulb!
This effectiveness is maintained over time. Data collected during the summer of 2023 show thata CAELI ONE installation can maintain a comfortable temperature of between 24 and 26°C in a room of 25m².even during peak periods, with a total electricity consumption of just 54.9 kWh over the season.
The freshness delivered is even more important with a good thermal insulation housing.
A new design for the modern home
Unlike traditional air conditioners, which require an outdoor unit and a duct system, CAELI ONE comes in the form of a particularly elegant wall-mounted module.
The module is available in two finishes - classic white or light beige with a front in natural 100% resin and pearly French linen. The unit blends harmoniously into any interior.
"Installation is also much simpler," points out Boris Terrasse. "Just two 16 cm core drills in the outside wall, a standard power supply and a water supply such as an American fridge hose: half a day is all it takes to complete installation. "
Simplified, environmentally-friendly maintenance
Maintenance has also been redesigned to be as simple as possible. "Once a year, we check the evapo-exchangers, fill the tank with biocide, and that's it," explains our contact. Water consumption is kept particularly under control: " We use around 1.5 m³ over the four months of summer use. That's the equivalent of about fifteen showers. to ensure thermal comfort for an entire summer.
A smart, connected solution
CAELI ONE also incorporates connected functions to optimise its use. Via a Bluetooth mobile application, users can control their device and choose between different modes:
- SMART mode : totally autonomous, it automatically adjusts power output according to ambient temperature
- ECO mode : favours energy savings with a moderate airflow rate
- BOOST mode : delivers maximum power for rapid cooling
- Standby and wintering modes for periods of inactivity
"Our Smart mode is particularly popular," notes Boris Terrasse. "It automatically optimises comfort according to the ambient temperature, guaranteeing efficient cooling while minimising energy consumption."
Multiple applications and accepted limits
Well-identified use cases
CAELI Energie is transparent about the ideal applications for its technology:
"Our system is particularly suited to temperate zones such as mainland France" explains Boris Terrasse.
"It's ideal for rooms of between 15 and 30m² with a wall overlooking the outside. It's the perfect configuration for fully exploiting the capabilities of our technology."
Recognised technical limitations
Nor does the company hide the limitations of its solution. " Our technology is not effective in conditions of high humidity" acknowledges Boris Terrasse. "It's a physical limitation that would prevent CAELI ONE from being used in certain parts of the world, such as South-East Asia. We prefer to be transparent on this point.
The future: constantly evolving technology
The start-up has no intention of stopping there. A second generation of the CAELI module is already in development for 2025, with significant improvements:
- Reduced noise level for use in bedrooms
- Optimising sizing
- Continuous performance improvement
"Our aim is to make the product ultra-quiet," explains Boris Terrasse. "We're also working on different sizes to meet every need.
Justified premium positioning
With a retail price of 3,300 excluding VAT, excluding installationCAELI ONE is positioned in the premium segment. A positioning that the company fully embraces in view of the advantages it offers:
- Substantial energy savings (consumption divided by 5)
- Minimal environmental impact
- Integrated design without an outdoor unit
- Simplified maintenance
- Healthier air because it's not dehumidified
A solution for the future of thermal comfort
"Our approach proves that it is possible to reconcile performance and ecology," concludes Boris Terrasse. "We're offering a credible alternative to traditional air conditioning that meets today's environmental challenges.
At a time when the energy transition is becoming a priority, solutions such as CAELI ONE are showing that it is possible toinnovating while respecting the environment.
To sum up...
The CAELI ONE cooling module is ideal for :
- ✅ 15-30m² rooms with exterior wall
- ✅ Temperate zones
- ✅ People sensitive to air quality
- ✅ Buildings with architectural constraints (preventing the installation of conventional air conditioning, for example)
However, it is less suitable for :
- ❌ Very humid climates
- ❌ Large volumes
- ❌ Rooms with no walls to the outside
- ❌ One-off intensive use
Here are some key figures to remember about this innovation:
- Average COP of 16
- Power consumption 35-90W
- Temperature delta up to 19°C
- 256 kg CO2eq over the lifecycle (compared with 1300 kg for an air conditioning unit)
- 1.5m³ of water consumed per season
- 3,300 excluding VAT, retail price
- Installation in 1/2 day