In 1902 Willis Haviland Carrier invented the first modern electrical air-conditioning. Designed to improve manufacturing process control in a printing plant, Carrier's invention not only controlled temperature but also humidity.
The Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America was set up to meet rising demand, and the brand, Carrier, is still a leader in air-conditioning systems around the world.
The air-conditioning industry is one of the most important industries in the Middle East and other warm climes of the world.
In the UAE, this major industry has several leading as well as small companies engaged in activities ranging from manufacturing, designing and installing different sizes and types of air-conditioning equipments to servicing them afterwards.
There is a close correlation between an individual's personal performance and the temperature of his immediate surroundings.
An environment that is too hot, too cold or too damp will certainly not contribute to higher efficiency at work or his comfort. In a climate such as that of the UAE, which is hot for almost nine months of the year with temperatures that can cross 45 degrees Celsius in July and August, air-conditioning is not a luxury but a necessity.
The perfect air-conditioning system
Different types of air-conditioning systems such as central AC, split AC, window AC and portable units are present in the market with major brands catering to each segment.
A truly complete and acceptable air-conditioning system must be energy efficient, economic to run, easy to install, flexible, reliable and user-friendly. Fresh air must also be supplied without increasing energy consumption.
Central management and control facilities have also gained in importance, particularly for medium to large sized buildings.
Various players
The Daikin VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) systems meet all these requirements.
VRV air-conditioning from Daikin can be found in offices, restaurants, theatres, hospitals, universities, museums, shops — in short, in any location where the provision of a balanced, pleasant working environment can improve an individual's comfort and lifestyle.
AC manufacturers such as York have adopted high technology in all aspects of their manufacturing and installation processes.
YORK works CE software is the latest version of the ultimate tool for HVAC-equipment specification.
With it, HVAC professionals can create selections, drawings, schedules and specifications for air-handling units, small-tonnage chillers, rooftop units, fan-coil units and coils. It also includes YORKCalc software that analyses chiller-plant energy costs.
York, with more than 130 years of experience in the field, has continued to grow and expand its global influence.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio Trane XL19i provides ultra efficient performance.
The XL19i's SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of up to 19.5 is among the highest energy efficiency ratings of air-conditioners available today. The XL19i has two compressors: one for milder weather and a second larger compressor for those extremely hot days.
It's like having two units in one. The other models from Trane also come with high and effective SEER ratings.
BK Gulf LLC, a leading contractor in electrical, mechanical, instrumentation and building services within the UAE and the Middle East market, provides complete contracting services including design, procurement, installation, project management, commissioning and facilities management services to meet specific client requirements.
Installation of HVAC is also a large part of the comprehensive services the company provides. "We do all the duct-work for air-conditioning and fit the units according to the needs of the client. In the three decades that we have been operating we have done a number of buildings including hotels, residential and commercial towers.
The most prestigious projects we are involved in right now is the Atlantis Project in Palm Jumeirah and various towers including the Index Tower off Shaikh Zayed Road," says George Shields, General Manager of BK Gulf LLC.
Several brands lead the market in the smaller AC segment of split, window and portable units.
Equipped with a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) and a host of other intelligent features, Hitachi Split AC is an intelligent buy. Hitachi window AC features Quadricool TM with revolutionary twin motor and twin turbo technology.
The room AC range from LG includes more than 115 models and features some of the most intelligent, energy-efficient and eco-friendly technologies. The unique LG IntelloEye feature is one such and gives unmatched cooling performance.
When the IntelloEye Mode is switched on, the inbuilt intelligent sensor automatically detects the room temperature and accordingly adjusts the setting temperature, fan speed and swing settings of the air-conditioner.
The new art cool ART from LG is also a fantastic concept as 'technology truly meets art' in this product. The easily replaceable painting frame on front of the AC means buyers can display their favourite work of art with ease, so the painting takes the limelight, rather than the AC unit, which can be obtrusive.
Nikai offers split, window and portable air-conditioners with anti-bacterial filter, grooved copper tubing and anti-drip features. Nikai air-conditioners come with a five-year warranty and are eco-friendly too.
Local brands
Local brands such as SKM and Zamil, specifically made for this market, are also experiencing commendable success.
According to a study conducted by Frost & Sullivan Research Service, construction business has thrived in the Gulf countries and this has translated into profits for the air-conditioning industry, with developers of high-end properties including air-conditioning in their package to attract more investors.
Major challenges
Despite favourable conditions for growth, manufacturers are increasingly facing competition from local manufacturers and unbranded products that have a price advantage.
Other challenges that they face include an increase in the cost of electricity, the need to maintain competitive pricing without compromising on product quality and the need to offer value-added features.
Research and development
In order to overcome these challenges and stay competitive, manufacturers are investing in research and development to come up with innovative, value-added and customer-friendly options.
As a result, consumers are offered air-conditioners, which, in addition to being energy-efficient, reduce odour and purify the air.
Apart from that, manufacturers are offering competitive package deals such as increasing the warranty period from one to five years.
The air-conditioning industry is set to grow further with more players coming into the market. "Competition is good for the industry and the market is so huge with all the construction going on here that there will be enough for everyone to share," says Sunil Nair, Project Supervisor at Ambient Middle East LLC, which installs air-conditioning systems in buildings all over the emirates. n
In 1902 Willis Haviland Carrier invented the first modern electrical air-conditioning.
Designed to improve manufacturing process control in a printing plant, Carrier's invention not only controlled temperature but also humidity. The Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America was set up to meet rising demand, and the brand, Carrier, is still a leader in air-conditioning systems around the world.
The air-conditioning industry is one of the most important industries in the Middle East and other warm climes of the world. In the UAE, this major industry has several leading as well as small companies engaged in activities ranging from manufacturing, designing and installing different sizes and types of air-conditioning equipments to servicing them afterwards.
There is a close correlation between an individual's personal performance and the temperature of his immediate surroundings. An environment that is too hot, too cold or too damp will certainly not contribute to higher efficiency at work or his comfort.
In a climate such as that of the UAE, which is hot for almost nine months of the year with temperatures that can cross 45 degrees Celsius in July and August, air-conditioning is not a luxury but a necessity.
The perfect air-conditioning system
Different types of air-conditioning systems such as central AC, split AC, window AC and portable units are present in the market with major brands catering to each segment.
A truly complete and acceptable air-conditioning system must be energy efficient, economic to run, easy to install, flexible, reliable and user-friendly.
Fresh air must also be supplied without increasing energy consumption. Central management and control facilities have also gained in importance, particularly for medium to large sized buildings.
Various players
The Daikin VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) systems meet all these requirements. VRV air-conditioning from Daikin can be found in offices, restaurants, theatres, hospitals, universities, museums, shops — in short, in any location where the provision of a balanced, pleasant working environment can improve an individual's comfort and lifestyle.
AC manufacturers such as York have adopted high technology in all aspects of their manufacturing and installation processes.
YORKworksCE software is the latest version of the ultimate tool for HVAC-equipment specification.
With it, HVAC professionals can create selections, drawings, schedules and specifications for air-handling units, small-tonnage chillers, rooftop units, fan-coil units and coils. It also includes YORKCalc software that analyses chiller-plant energy costs.
York, with more than 130 years of experience in the field, has continued to grow and expand its global influence.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
Trane XL19i provides ultra efficient performance. The XL19i's SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of up to 19.5 is among the highest energy efficiency ratings of air-conditioners available today.
The XL19i has two compressors: one for milder weather and a second larger compressor for those extremely hot days. It's like having two units in one. The other models from Trane also come with high and effective SEER ratings.
BK Gulf LLC, a leading contractor in electrical, mechanical, instrumentation and building services within the UAE and the Middle East market, provides complete contracting services including design, procurement, installation, project management, commissioning and facilities management services to meet specific client requirements. Installation of HVAC is also a large part of the comprehensive services the company provides.
"We do all the duct-work for air-conditioning and fit the units according to the needs of the client. In the three decades that we have been operating we have done a number of buildings including hotels, residential and commercial towers.
The most prestigious projects we are involved in right now is the Atlantis Project in Palm Jumeirah and various towers including the Index Tower off Shaikh Zayed Road," says George Shields, General Manager of BK Gulf LLC.
Several brands lead the market in the smaller AC segment of split, window and portable units.
Equipped with a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) and a host of other intelligent features, Hitachi Split AC is an intelligent buy. Hitachi window AC features Quadricool TM with revolutionary twin motor and twin turbo technology.
The room AC range from LG includes more than 115 models and features some of the most intelligent, energy-efficient and eco-friendly technologies. The unique LG IntelloEye feature is one such and gives unmatched cooling performance.
When the IntelloEye Mode is switched on, the inbuilt intelligent sensor automatically detects the room temperature and accordingly adjusts the setting temperature, fan speed and swing settings of the air-conditioner.
The new art cool ART from LG is also a fantastic concept as 'technology truly meets art' in this product. The easily replaceable painting frame on front of the AC means buyers can display their favourite work of art with ease, so the painting takes the limelight, rather than the AC unit, which can be obtrusive.
Nikai offers split, window and portable air-conditioners with anti-bacterial filter, grooved copper tubing and anti-drip features.
Nikai air-conditioners come with a five-year warranty and are eco-friendly too.
