Summers are for staying cool

Demand for air-conditioning is increasing in line with the construction boom.

Air-conditioning and heating systems have revolutionised the way we live - and where we live. Without air conditioning, some of our largest cities would have never grown to their present size.

The air conditioning industry has had a profound effect on population shifts, particularly in hot climates such as the Middle East. People are more comfortable, healthy, and productive than ever before, thanks to improvements in air conditioning equipment and system designs. These improvements have been brought on by a number of factors, including technical, market changes, energy and environmental concerns.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is at the centre of a real estate and property development explosion that has driven a massive expansion of the construction sector. Simultaneously, the population of the MENA region has doubled over the last three decades - it now stands at approximately 386 million and continues to grow at around two per cent (7 million people annually).

The MENA air conditioning market offers huge potential to manufacturers. "In the Middle East, no building is complete without air conditioning, and with systems operating around the clock, there is a continuous requirement for replacement, renovation and maintenance," says Bernard Walsh, Managing Director, DMG World Media, Dubai Ltd, organisers of the Big 5 Show.

Latest estimates

The latest estimates of the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA) shows continued growth in the AC segment, with over 2.7 million unit sales projected by 2008. "Sales of AC units have grown 56 per cent since 2000," says Walsh. "The JRAIA estimates show this trend continuing, although we suspect the projections through to 2008 may be a little on the conservative side, bearing in mind the scale of construction across the region."

The booming property development sector, coupled with the rapidly growing population, is placing unprecedented demands on power supply in the UAE, according to Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort systems and comprehensive facility solutions.

Efficient use of energy in buildings is now becoming essential and the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems is the first area that should be examined. "Heating, ventilation and air conditioning is estimated to consume up to 65 per cent of the power in any building which is why energy-efficient equipment, controls, service and facility solutions are increasingly imperative," says Didier Hardouin, Vice President and Business Leader, Trane.

Adopting energy-efficient measures will help solve the problem, reducing the need to build more power plants, as well as contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions from those plants.

He urged the employment of energy-efficient systems not only in new projects but also older properties. Thousands of old, inefficient systems - estimated to consume up to 40 per cent more power than newer, more efficient ones - are still working in the region, thus aggravating the situation.

The GCC's annual average power consumption of nine per cent is triple the global figure, according to industry analysts who estimate the GCC will have to invest $100 billion (Dh 367.28 billion) over the next decade to meet its energy needs. According to the World Energy Council, an additional 100 gigawatts of power generation capacity is needed before 2020 at a cost of $150 billion (Dh550.92 billion).

"Air-conditioning is a major factor in increasing power consumption in the region and immediate measures to ensure more efficient energy consumption in the region is the need of the hour," says C H Lee, President, LG Electronics Gulf FZE. "This includes following simple conservation steps to implement an energy design process that optimises the interaction between a building and its mechanical systems rather than relying on widely used construction and sourcing practices that are currently based on low material costs and low innovation levels. At LG, we are committed to playing an active role in conserving energy while satisfying the increasing cooling requirements of the region."

Market value

The market value of the comfort and process-cooling sector in the GCC is estimated at more than $1.2 billion (Dh4.41 billion) per annum in products/parts and possibly double that in terms of associated products and services.

"Many property developers in the Gulf are voluntarily using the latest technology in air-conditioning products that consume less power. The LG Multi Power System (MPS), for instance, is very popular as it reduces energy consumption when compared to conventional air conditioners. Its capital cost is 45 per cent lower and it operates on one kilowatt per ton of air-conditioning, while consumption allowed by regional regulation is higher. The maximum power that can be consumed needs to be lowered from its existing level."

MPS is LG's proprietary technology that combines multiple compressors in a single air conditioning system to reduce air conditioning energy consumption by a maximum of 70 per cent, compared to conventional air conditioners with a single compressor.

LG has incorporated an eco-friendly tool in its air conditioners that bans the use of environmentally destructive heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. LG air conditioners also feature ?Neo Plasma Plus System' that removes microscopic contaminants and dust, as well as mites, pollen, pet fur and other allergens.

Panasonic has announced the launch of a new range of air-conditioners incorporated with supersonic super alleru-buster and auto refresh DEO that decomposes odours caught by the filter, while effectively cooling and purifying the air. The range is fitted with a super tropical rotary compressor that guarantees high efficiency under high load conditions.

The tropical compressors also ensure better performance in hot climatic conditions by using the specially developed hermetic motor, which results in reduced heating.

The supersonic air purifying system incorporated in the indoor unit of the air-conditioners generates supersonic waves, which work in combination with the filter to trap dust and dirt in the air for faster, more efficient purification. The auto refresh DEO filter decomposes odour particles within 30 minutes after the blue LED illumination that lights up each time the unit starts operating.

Exclusive technology

The air conditioners are also equipped with the path-breaking blue fin condenser technology from Panasonic. The condenser uses a special anti-rust coating that withstands damage from exposure to salty air, wind, dust and other corrosive factors. The condensers are highly energy efficient and electricity consumption is very low.

"Consumers today expect their air-conditioners to provide more than the basic function of cooling and conditioning the air. Air purification and refreshing are important functions of modern day air-conditioners, which Panasonic's latest range performs with utmost efficiency and quality," says Takashimaru Yamamoto, General Manager-Home Appliance and Air Conditioner, Panasonic.

One most commonly overlooked problem is the humidity in the Middle East region. Both the deluxe and the basic models deliver advanced moisture removal, controlling dampness and preventing fungal growth while providing high comfort levels at any desired room temperature.

"This series of air-conditioners from Panasonic will deliver optimum performance even under high load and in fluctuating voltage conditions. One of the major benefits of this range of air-conditioners is the effectiveness with which it purifies the air and clears it of various allergens that have become a cause for concern from a health perspective," he says.

The 3-in-1 advanced air-purifying device also features the anti-allergen material called super alleru-buster. The super alleru-buster filter contains a strong anti-allergen material ( Phenotic Hydroxyl Polymer), which catches and inactivates allergens such as dead dust mites and their waste products, pollen and cat dander. This mode of inactivation is systematic: the allergens are caught by the filter - phenolic hydroxyl ions then cling to the allergens - the allergens are coated and inactivated. As a matter of action, 99 per cent of allergens are inactivated by the product.

Trane, recently introduced a comprehensive and unique heating, ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) maintenance service programme. Trane Select is designed to help developers and owners realise the benefits of maintaining reliable HVAC systems so that they provide better levels of comfort to tenants, contribute to improving office worker productivity and helping to bring more business. "We estimate that 75 per cent of a building owner's total cost of ownership of a building is spent on energy consumption and parts replacement," says Hardouin.

HVAC systems

"Trane Select has been designed to minimise this. As the construction boom moves into full swing, developers should realise the benefits of maintaining efficient HVAC systems. This is based not only on choosing the right equipment, but also involves deciding on a proper service programme to maintain long-term efficiency. Planned maintenance ensures that systems run at top efficiency and provide significant energy savings not to mention the impact on reducing CO2 emission," he concluded.

EFFICIENCY
Tips to building owners and developers

• Energy-efficient applications should integrate reliable compressors, heat exchangers and controls to attain the right efficiency levels.
• Such solutions reduce costs and impact on the environment without compromising comfort and productivity.
• Such applications require scheduled comprehensive maintenance in order to guarantee high performance.
• Adopting an integrated approach and a committment to maintenance will also help owners and developers bring about a reduction in the costs of ownership and make a positive impact on the environment, without compromising on comfort and the product.
• The quality of construction, improved technology, and attention to detail found in high efficiency HVAC products usually results in longer equipment life.

- Michel Farah, Regional Director UAE and Gulf, Trane Gulf