The potential energy of gas can be converted into refrigeration using efficient thermo-dynamic processes. Such processes present concrete fuel-saving and environmental advantages over conventional refrigerating systems using electricity as their source of power.  So it is hardly surprising that there has been substantial investment in gas-fired chiller appliance research and development in the industrialized countries where the greatest heed is paid to environmental conservation and fuel saving issues (Japan, the United States and northern Europe).
This drive has recently made for substantial progress in gas-fired chiller appliance technology in terms of both performance and reliability.  The industry has now matured to the point where it can offer the market an enormous range of components and systems for high-performance gas-fired air conditioning.

FUEL-SAVING, ENVIRONMENTAL AND STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES OBTAINABLE WITH GAS-FIRED AIR CONDITIONING
The fuel-saving, environmental and strategic advantages that a major spread of gas-fired air conditioning would bring may be summed up as follows:

SAVING IN PRIMARY FUEL
In conventional, electrically operated applications, the ratio between the refrigerating capacity generated and the primary fuel consumed generally stands at or around values lower than one unit, whereas the most efficient gas-fired systems are capable of higher energy / capacity efficiency ratios.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
a) In greenhouse effect terms, there is a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, partly as a direct consequence of the aforementioned fuel savings, and partly as a result of the fossil fuel (fuel oil and coal) replacement process in the thermal power plants. What is more, unlike conventional appliances, gas-absorption chillers do not use ozone depleting gases, which is what the old chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and to a lesser extent, the hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) were and are.  It is notable that HCFCs continue to be produced and used in very large quantities to this day.
b) In air quality terms, the lower electricity consumption brought by the spread of gas-fired air conditioning would make for lower emissions of the pollutants (NOx, SOx, CO2 and various particulates etc.) associated with thermal power plants. 

STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES FOR THE COUNTRY’S POWER GENERATION SYSTEM
a) Natural gas consumption follows a highly seasonal trend; an increase in gas demand during the summer season would make for more cost-efficient gas pipeline management, more effective use of reserves, and lower gas storage-related power consumption.
b) Fewer summer electricity consumption peaks: the constant (and inevitable) increase in demand for air conditioning makes for considerable electricity distribution problems, particularly on the medium - and low-voltage grids.  Even now, users are at times denied the chance to upgrade their power supply.  The gas distribution grid, on the other hand, which is tailored to winter consumption, is perfectly capable of meeting the demand for gas-fired air conditioning.

CLIMGAS
In view of the foregoing, the trade has felt the need to develop a concerted thrust that will bring synergic pressure to bear on the various factors that characterise the market. It has thus set-up CLIMGAS, the gas-fired air conditioning appliance distributors’ association.