The government feels there is an urgent need to upgrade air-conditioning plants in the commercial and industrial buildings. The objective is to reduce carbon dioxide emission with application of new technology and also to bring consumption of energy to optimum levels whiles still improving the internal environment.

To achieve these objectives it is necessary to measure the energy consumption with the help of sub-meters. One third of energy is consumed by the chillers in a building. Through sub-meters, energy data can be analyzed to identify and improve inefficient areas in the system. One can set targets and monitor performance regularly. The cost of the installation of sub-meters can be recovered by reducing consumption at least by 4 to 5 % through monitoring.

In order to provide different levels of cooling, air-conditioning systems are installed in set zones. The change of use of building affects cooling and results in loss of energy. It is therefore necessary to review zoning of system to achieve maximum efficiency.

As pumps, fans and motors used in the air–conditioning plant become older and inefficient this results in the loss of energy. These should be replaced to increase efficiency. The payback period will definitely be short for such useful replacements.

An upgrade is therefore needed urgently.

In the backdrop of a serious threat to the ozone layer and concern about global warming, the Refrigerant Legislation is enforcing the removal of the R-22 refrigerant system. All companies using R22 refrigerants in the process chillers and industrial refrigerant plants would be affected by the legislation uniformly. Many affected companies have already made their plans to comply with the new regulations.

In case of many old industrial units using R-22, the life span of the refrigerant system is only one third. Companies are therefore opting to replace the existing system with the modern environment friendly system, rather than spending on repair and maintenance at a later stage.

To comply with legislation, each new factory or extension will now use ammonia and R404A refrigerants in their systems. These refrigerants have zero ozone depleting potential. There is one big advantage of these refrigerants. These are more energy efficient than the R22 refrigerant and therefore more cost saving to the manufacturers and the users.

The companies affected by the R-22 legislation will incorporate in their purchase policy the specific mention of refrigerants required for complying with the new legislation. Ammonia, R404A and R407c will be the most preferred refrigerants.

The total enforcement of the legislation, when R-22 will be totally banned is supposed to be by the year 2015.

In the US, air conditioning manufacturers won’t be allowed to sell R22 equipment beyond January 1, 2010.

The UK Government signed the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty, in 1987 to protect depletion of ozone layer caused by harmful substances in the atmosphere. R-22 gas is one of those major substances posing danger to the ozone layer.

Before understanding the urgency to phase out R-22, one must know briefly what R-22 and Ozone layer are.

A layer in the earth’s atmosphere, which has high concentrations (90 %) of ozone (O3), is known as the Ozone layer. Ultraviolet light from the sun, which is highly damaging to the life on earth, is absorbed by this layer to the extent of 98 percent. It is located 15 kms to 35 kms above Earth’s surface. The ozone layer was discovered by French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson. Its properties were studied in detail by British meteorologist G. M. B. Dobson, who developed spectrophotometer to measure stratospheric ozone from the ground.

R-22 gas is hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) also called Chlorodifluoromethane or difluoromonochloromethane. It is also known under code names of HCFC-22, R-22, Genetron 22 or Freon 22. It is commonly used in air conditioning applications due to its relatively low ozone depletion potential.

This lower ozone depletion potential is no longer acceptable because R-22 also has very high potential to assist in global garming; 1700 times that of carbon dioxide.
The air conditioning systems at commercial places had been using R-22 as the refrigerant gas until 2004.

Due to the highly negative impact of R-22 on atmosphere the UK government has prohibited the use of it in refrigeration. R22 is also often used as a refrigerant by the manufacturers of food and drinks. The manufacturing and usage of the R22 is likely to be banned by the end of 2009 under the Montreal Protocol. It will be replaced by refrigerants such as propane (R-290) or R-410A, with zero ozone depletion potential.

The air conditioning market in the UK is on a climbing path. It has witnessed a gradual growth of around 6% in the last 5 years.

Weather has always been a major decider in the growth or decline of the air conditioning business. Global warming is already a subject of concern today. In UK, particularly in summer, the weather is becoming warmer and warmer. This is proving to be a blessing in disguise to the air conditioning industry. Company’s profits start soaring when the weather is warmer, lesser humid and more sunny.

UK market has passed through ups and downs in the years between 2002 and 2007. Years 2003, 2005 and 2006 were more favorable, while the year 2004 was most unfavorable for the market because it was wet and less sunny for most of the time. Year 2006 recorded the warmest period in July and September 2006, boosting the sales by 3% over 2005. The growth has sustained in 2007 and is likely to remain consistent in the next 2 to 3 years.

The user at large is gradually going to make up his/her mind that it is better to have an air-conditioning system installed than to predict whether weather is going to be kind or unkind. Use it when you want! This shift in users’ attitude will allow companies to forecast their sales more precisely.

Air conditioning is broadly used for comfort or for processes.

In the application for comfort, you aim to provide a relatively constant indoor- environment, independent of external weather, which is preferred by the humans occupying the space.

Various studies of time and motion have proved that people sitting in any working office give the peak performance at a temperature of 22 degree centigrade (72° F). A change of just 2°F results in decrease in performance by 1%. Larger people and also those doing work in standing position, give enhanced performance at lower temperatures. But in case of smaller people it is the other way round. They give better performance at slightly higher temperatures. The Hawthorne Effect theory is based on effects of indoor environment on the productivity of the people.

When you opt for natural ventilation, buildings are required to be constructed narrower, with light wells to provide passage for outdoor air. The height of the building also impairs the natural ventilation due to the high speed of the wind at higher altitudes. With air conditioning you can go for taller buildings with a deeper plan.

Air conditioning for comfort can be applied in the following cases:

Low-Rise Residential buildings - single-family houses, small apartments

High-Rise Residential buildings.

Commercial buildings - offices, restaurants, malls, shopping centers

Institutional buildings - hospitals, government offices

Industrial Estates

Air conditioning is also used in vehicles, trains, air craft ships etc.

Recently announced XOM communications network by North Building Technologies has been exclusively released for new procons by Mitsubishi Electric. IP50M and IP32M. XOM, an acronym for eXtensible Object Model, will run on these procons that boasts a simplified integration of both Mitsubishi Electric’s City Multi range and MrSlim air conditioning range.

Earlier the two systems were integrated through separate interfaces, namely, MitsCity for the City Multi system and JBus / MrSlim for the Mr Slim air conditioning system. Nevertheless, procon IPxxM can be integrated through either of these two air conditioning systems. With the introduction of new range of Procons and removal of their original interface units by Mitsubishi Electric, North Building Technologies also seeks to surpass the MitsCity and JBus / MrSlim with its new interface MitsubishiIP.

The XOM communications interface promises to connect with various indoor units through Ethernet, so that the Procon IP50M can talk to 50 indoor units, and the IP32M can communicate with 32 indoor units concurrently. The procon IP100M is a combination of two IP50Ms with different communication ports and should also be treated separately. An indoor unit supposedly consists of functions for monitoring, such as return air temperature and error status, whereas functions like temperature set-point, operating mode, fan speed and unit on-off are meant for both monitoring and adjusting of air conditioning systems.

Toshiba Digital Inverter air conditioners are a unique combination of economy and energy in a compact body. These air conditioners boast of state-of-the-art technology, flexibility, control system and quick installation that offer a natural comfort in even a complex business environment. Indoor units are available in different modes of cassette and ducted (in 2, 3, 4 & 5 hp) and in hi wall and console (in 2, 3 and 3 hp). The inverter air conditioners contain a unique inverter technology with high power and high efficiency. Besides, these units offer tremendous energy saving, economy and superb comfort. This enables a reduction in annual power consumption of up to 40% compared to conventional units.

Toshiba’s 7-in-1 filtration air conditioner is another amazing invention by the company that now not only promises a cooling environment to your home or office building, but also gives you clean air to breathe in and relax with. These air conditioners can deal with odours, allergens, bacteria and viruses, coupled with a self cleaning mechanism and other features, including super quiet and multiple airflow controls. Its unique double compact design has downsized the indoor unit by 24% and the outdoor unit by 28%, maintaining an optimum performance level in terms of space, discretion and style.

The Red House building in Chester is a formidable building on the banks of the River Dee. Toshiba air conditioning installed in the picturesque restaurant by local specialists Bostock Air Conditioning Limited gives it a complete dramatic effect that also contributes towards the success of the building.

The Red House was originally an architecturally designed pub and has now been refurbished as a 130 cover modern restaurant, most popular during lunch and evening hours. The cosmopolitan building has been stylishly decorated offering outstanding views. With heavy investment from the owner, it was obvious that even the air conditioning system had to be the best in every respect, to tackle high heat gains and losses arising out of the glazing on the building and roof. Toshiba’s VRF SMMS heat pump system of 28 KW was used for the main restaurant. Toshiba’s Digital Inverter twin cassette system was also used for the reception and bar area. About six Toshiba one-way blow ceiling cassettes were arranged in a row near the spine wall of the restaurant, with the outdoor units being set in a service area causing zero disturbances to the neighbouring residential buildings.

Mitsubishi Electric,  renowned as environmental control specialists, are delighted to launch an exciting new range of powerful R410A outdoor condensing units for energy consumption. These condensing units possess characteristics of being much smaller, lighter and powerful to be used in plant and buildings requiring very less space for their installation. With the Green Gateway Initiative, the company endeavours to work towards the reduction of overall energy consumption in the country’s built environment by 2016.

The City Multi YHM range by Mitsubishi Electric accounts for on average carbon emissions of 45% of footprint compared to previous models mainly for 14-18HP units. The new range boasts of a 16% weight reduction and is available in 13 different sizes in its line up. Downsized outdoor units can be installed via an 800 mm wide door and can also be taken inside an average 6-person lift. This way these systems are most ideal to be used in inner city areas where normally transport to rooftops by crane becomes difficult and is forbidden.

The latest models of the company brag about being the leading weight saving system in the industry offering brilliant performance and the highest COPs (Co-efficiency Of Performances). The City Multi YHM range also embrace exclusive ‘Replace’ models that further extends the Green Gateway Initiative by Mitsubishi Electric, offering the commercial building owners a choice of ‘Green’ products and a quick way of improvising plant performance with fewer carbon dioxide emissions.

Mitsubishi Electric has recently advocated the necessity of regular check ups for heating and cooling systems of air conditioning units for use by commercial buildings to ensure that no money or energy is wasted and the systems run perfectly during the winter season.

The company strives to attain maximum efficiency levels within its working environment and the performance of its staff during different seasons of the year, for which Mitsubishi Electric has hired facility managers and operators to check for the efficient working of air conditioning units and ensure that installed systems are working in conjunction with the performance standards set.

People generally do not much pay much attention to the working condition of their air conditioning system, until they encounter a problem. It is usually witnessed that filters clogged inside air handling units cause the entire system to perform inefficiently and due to which the energy also gets wasted. Besides, vents often blocked due to accidents or sometimes, even accidentally blocked, can result into poor performance of the air conditioning system. Mitsubishi Electric makes it a point that installed wide range of air conditioning systems are running to the optimal performance levels through its regular health check ups and system evaluation service for all City Multi systems for heating and cooling.