ACHR News
search
Ask ACHR NEWS AI
cart
facebook twitter instagram linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ACHR News
  • NEWS
    • Breaking News
    • New HVAC Products
    • Featured Products
    • Manufacturer Reports
    • HVAC Data
    • Legislation
    • ACHR NEWS Centennial
  • RESIDENTIAL
    • Air Conditioners
    • Furnaces
    • Residential Heat Pumps
    • Ductless
    • Residential IAQ
    • Testing, Monitoring, Tools
    • Components & Accessories
  • COMMERCIAL
    • Air Handlers
    • Rooftop Units
    • Chillers and Cooling Towers
    • Commercial Heat Pumps
    • Boilers and Hydronics
    • VRF/Ductless
    • Commercial IAQ
  • REFRIGERATION
    • Refrigerants
    • Refrigerant Regulations
    • Leak Management
  • CONTRACTOR PRO
    • Geothermal
    • Homeowner Study
    • VRF and VRV Ductless
    • Unitary Trends
  • EDUCATION
    • Training and Education
    • Business Management
    • Service and Maintenance
    • Continuing Education
    • Market Research >
      • HVAC Brand Awareness Report
      • VRV, VRF, VRVZ Report
      • Unitary Trends Report
      • Water Heat Professionals Report
    • Webinars
    • Sponsor Insights
    • eProducts Info
    • White Papers
  • EVENTS
    • HVAC Contractor Forum
    • Industry Events and Webinars
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
    • AHR Expo 2025 Videos
    • Podcasts >
      • ACHR News Podcast
      • HARDI Podcasts
      • AHR Expo Podcasts
      • ACCA Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Quizzes
    • eBooks
    • HVAC Talkback
  • HVAC GROUP
    • ACHR NEWS >
      • Current Issue
      • Digital Edition
      • Subscribe
    • Distribution Trends
    • SNIPS NEWS >
      • Join SNIPS NEWS
    • Engineered Systems News >
      • Join ES News
    • HVACR Directory
    • Contests
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • My Account
HVAC Contracting

Embraco Unveils World’s First Oil-Free Compressor for Domestic Refrigeration

Removing Oil Circuit Opens Up Potential to Redesign Concept of Domestic Refrigerator, Says Company

By Andrew Gaved
November 17, 2014
Andrew Gaved
Andrew Gaved

Small compressor giant Embraco has unveiled the first oil-free compressor for domestic refrigerators in the world. The firm said it believes the new concept “will revolutionize residential refrigeration, expanding the possibilities in designing new refrigerators — from format to even additional smart features — while simultaneously meeting high energy efficiency levels and low noise.”

The Wisemotion compressor is the result of 10 years research by Embraco and involved approximately 100 engineers and researchers, who generated more than 80 patents for the project.

Roberto H. Campos, Embraco president, said, “We’re actually talking about revolutionizing the refrigeration industry. With Wisemotion technology, manufacturers will be able to think of innovative designs in the refrigeration systems production and to deliver practical benefits to their customers. We’re making our clients’ dream possible: developing the refrigerator of the future. The market for domestic refrigeration will take a technological leap with this new solution.”

According to Fabio Klein, research and development director of Embraco, Wisemotion will enable benefits such as better food conservation, better use of the space inside the refrigerator, and low noise. Furthermore, the reduction in energy consumption can reach more than 20 percent when compared to other high efficiency commercial compressors. “Wisemotion also innovates in the use of the latest generation of materials and new coatings applied to its mechanical parts, which enable its operation without the use of oil as well as a 50 percent reduction in raw material use,” said Klein.

The innovation also demanded research on precision manufacturing processes never used in the industry, which led Embraco to seek references in Swiss watch production.

With Wisemotion it will be possible to obtain minimal temperature differences inside the refrigerator, since it operates with controlled capacity according to the demand on the equipment.

Embraco also said that the Wisemotion doesn’t suffer from the usual “on and off” noise of traditional refrigerators either, and at only about the height of a 100 mm smartphone, saves space inside the refrigerator. For example, the firm said, it enables the addition of a 20 liter drawer for keeping products. Additionally, it uses approximately 20 percent less refrigerant when compared to traditional compressor-driven equipment.

Looking for quick answers on air conditioning, heating and refrigeration topics? Try Ask ACHR NEWS, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ACHR NEWS →

But Embraco said the benefits extend further than just refrigerator size: “Compressors which use this new technology can be installed in different locations within the refrigeration system. Therefore, in the future, the same compressor will be able to power simultaneously, the refrigerator, freezer, wine cellar, and mini-bar, optimizing the cooling process. Furthermore, new features and intelligent controls related to food preservation and energy efficiency will also be possible.”

Embraco said the Wisemotion compressor is designed using smart electronics and embedded with new materials and mechanical parts coated with a technology which enables the elimination of lubricating oils altogether. The refrigerant in the Wisemotion technology compressor will both cool and lubricate the system’s friction points. 

Content for the European Spotlight is provided courtesy of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Magazine, London. For more information, visit www.racplus.com.

Publication date: 11/17/2014

KEYWORDS: compressor technology refrigeration systems

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

 

Andrew Gaved is the editor of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Magazine. He can be reached at andrew.gaved@emap.com. For more information, visit www.racplus.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • HVAC-enrollment

    The Trades Are Back: HVACR Programs See Nearly 30% Enrollment Spike

    A new wave of future technicians is entering the pipeline.  
    Training and Education
    By: Matt Jachman
  • 2025 Top 40 Under 40

    2025 Top 40 Under 40 HVACR Professionals List

    The 11th annual Top 40 Under 40 list highlights those...
    HVAC Contracting
    By: Hannah Belloli-Oster
  • LG Ductless Mini-Split Systems

    The 9 Types of Heat Pumps

    As the U.S. moves toward electrification, heat pumps are...
    Heat Pumps
    By: Joanna R. Turpin
Subscription Center
  • Create an Account
  • Start a Subscription
  • Manage My Account
  • Sign Up for Newsletters
  • Visit Customer Service
  • Update Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to The News audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The News or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Piggy Bank
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Energy Prices, Inflation, and HVAC: What Today’s Homeowners Care About

  • Refrigerated Food
    Sponsored bySolstice Advanced Materials

    R-455A Refrigeration: A Cold Storage Solution for the Future

  • Airex Rooftop Units
    Sponsored byAirex Manufacturing Inc

    Consolidating Roof Penetrations: A Growing Trend in Multifamily HVAC Design

Popular Stories

Refrigerants-and-gauge.jpg

HVAC Industry Warns of Counterfeit Refrigerants Entering U.S. Supply Chain

U.S. Supreme Court building

95% Furnace Efficiency Rule to Get New Hearing

Data_Center_facility.jpg

HVAC Manufacturers Respond to Growing Data Center Backlash

Midea-training.jpg

HVAC Workforce Crisis Expands Beyond Technicians to Instructor Shortages

Lennox equipment

Platinum Equity to Sell Heat Controller to Lennox

View The ACHR NEWS
Centennial Anniversary Timeline

The ACHR News Timeline Chart
Submit a Letter
Submit a letter to our editors.

Events

November 6, 2025

Next-Gen Data Center Cooling: HVAC Innovation and Real-World Solutions

On Demand As AI workloads and high-density computing push traditional cooling methods to their limits, the data center industry is accelerating the adoption of next-generation HVAC technologies.

June 23, 2026

HVAC Duct Sealing Mastics: Why Selection Matters

In this webinar we will detail what HVAC material buyers and technicians need to know when selecting duct mastics, including matching mastic to substrate, alternatives to liquid mastic, and where UL 181 Listings fit into real world installations.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Summer Staff

Are you fully staffed for the summer season?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

BNI Mechanical/Electrical Square Foot Costbook, 2026 Edition

BNI Mechanical/Electrical Square Foot Costbook, 2026 Edition

See More Products
HVAC Duct Sealing Mastics: Why Selection Matters - Free Webinar - 6/23/2026

Related Articles

  • Oil-free compressors

    Why Oil-Free Compressor Technology Is an Appropriate Choice for Institutional Buildings

    See More
  • U.S. Navy Studies Oil-Free Compressor Technology

    See More
  • Aero-Lift Bearing

    Copeland Oil-Free Centrifugal Compressor

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Refrigeration Fundamentals for HVAC/R Technicians DVD

  • Troubleshooting Tips for Servicing Refrigeration Systems

  • Tech_CommRef_Guide_Small.jpg

    Technician’s Guide & Workbook for Quality Maintenance on Commercial Refrigeration Equipment

See More Products

Related Directories

  • Embraco North America Inc.

    Since 1971, Embraco has been a global reference in domestic and commercial refrigeration. The Nidec brand offers innovative, high-quality, and efficient solutions for the cold chain.
  • Carlyle Compressor

    Count on Carlyle. Carlyle compressors can be found around the world - from the first nuclear sub to your grocer's freezer to entire bus fleets.
×

Sign Up. Stay Informed.

The #1 trusted source for the HVACR industry since 1926

SUBSCRIBE
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Advisory Board
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Letter
    • Directories
    • Store
  • ACCOUNT CENTER
    • Create an Account
    • Start a Subscription
    • Manage My Account
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Visit Customer Service
    • Update Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing