On hot summer days, the temperature in living spaces can quickly rise above 25 °C. This affects concentration, sleep quality, and general well-being. Cooling ensures that rooms remain comfortably tempered – whether in your own home or at the office.

Cooling is a process in which heat is removed from a space, object, or system. Technically, it is referred to as heat removal. The goal is to prevent overheating and create a comfortable indoor climate. In contrast, Heating is where heat is deliberately added.

Physically, Cooling operates according to the principles of thermodynamics: heat always flows from the warmer to the cooler place. To control this process specifically, technical systems are used – for example, water or air systems that dissipate the excess heat.

There are various methods to cool rooms:

A surface cooling system uses large areas – such as walls, ceilings, or floors – to absorb excess heat from the room. Cool water at a low temperature (e.g., 16–20 °C) is circulated through special pipe systems integrated into plasterboard or screed.

The room heat transfers to the cooler surfaces, creating a pleasant, draft-free indoor climate – without a fan or noticeable air movement. This process works silently and evenly, making it particularly comfortable.

The principle is comparable to underfloor heating – just the other way around. Instead of giving off heat, the surface absorbs heat. The combination with a heat pump, which can be used for cooling in the summer (so-called passive cooling), is particularly effective.

Cooling systems are considered particularly energy efficient and environmentally friendly because they operate with low flow temperatures and do not require energy-intensive cooling machines. This not only saves electricity but also reduces CO₂ emissions – especially in combination with photovoltaics or geothermal energy.

In new buildings, future-proof building cooling is already being planned. But even in renovations and old buildings, the topic is gaining importance – not least because of increasingly hotter summers. The good news: Surface cooling can now be easily retrofitted in old apartments – efficiently, quietly, and without major structural effort.

Ceiling cooling and wall cooling are particularly suitable for the renovation of old buildings. Systems in drywall construction allow for quick and flexible installation – even with limited space or unusual room geometries.

Attic apartments heat up particularly strongly in summer – effective cooling is essential here. Due to the sloping walls, installation often seems complicated. However, with wall cooling from Variotherm, surface cooling can be easily integrated into sloping ceilings. This way, you use every surface efficiently and ensure a pleasant room climate – even under the roof.