36 Energy Efficient Air Conditioning All the comfort of home
When improving the comfort of your home, for many, air-conditioning probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, as Marc Diaz, Panasonic’s country manager for UK and Ireland explains, despite the recent decline in the UK domestic market, air condition- ing systems can be both a cost effective and energy efficient way to ensure indoor comfort throughout the year.
FOR MANY, residential air conditioning was a topic deemed not relevant for the UK due to our mild and wet maritime climate, which negates the perceived need for cool air in our homes. However, according to Government research, summer rainfall in south east England could decrease by a fifth by the 2050s with average mean temperatures likely to rise more than 2°C across the UK by the 2040s.
If carbon emissions continue to rise, there is a 10% chance that temperatures in the south east of England could increase by 8°C or more by the 2080s. Under the high emissions scenario, the results suggest the hottest summer days could be 12°C warmer than today, with peak summer temperatures in London regularly topping 40°C.
With most of us becoming much more accustomed to the comfort of our air conditioned cars and offices and the ongoing threat of climate change, home air conditioning is increasingly on the wish list for many homeowners and developers. The true definition of an ‘air
conditioning system’ is one which has the ability to control temperature, humidity and air quality within precise limits, yet the term is often applied to systems which simply cool the space. There is a general reluctance by many homeowners to use air conditioning systems to heat, as well as cool their homes owing to the misconception that this is an inefficient and expensive method. But sized correctly, air conditioning systems can be an effective way of heating a particular space in the home.
Many Scandinavian homes have adopted the use of air conditioning systems to heat their home in winter and cool them in summer. Their well-insulated homes allow the systems to work efficiently and effectively whatever the climatic conditions. However, homes in some areas of the UK, notably those in off-gas areas, are now starting to install these systems to good effect too.
Homeowners who may not have previously thought about air conditioning should also consider the additional benefits they may provide. Bedrooms, conservatories and loft conversions which are typically too hot in the summer and difficult to keep warm in the winter, can then be enjoyed at a constant level of
ACR News February 2014
comfort throughout the entire year. The installation of an air conditioning system can typically be achieved with far less difficulty that other traditional heating systems.
Despite the recent decline in the domestic market, updates to air conditioning technology means that systems are now more intelligent than ever before with manufacturers looking for ways to improve the functionality and energy efficiency of their systems making them ideal for domestic installations. As well as technological changes, legislative changes are also impacting the market. The Energy Related Products (ErP) Directive that came into force last year gave the building services industry a better understanding of the real efficiency of air conditioning and heat pump systems. The directive has had a significant impact on the market.
The most efficient air conditioning and heat pump systems meeting the standard had nothing to fear, but the budget systems at the bottom end of the market did suffer. In our view, the VRF market will always offer stronger and more consistent growth than other traditional air conditioning products, such as splits and chillers. The big opportunity for VRF is in commercial projects, where this type of system will continue to prove a worthy alternative to chillers. However, VRF technology also fares well in the hotel sector and, to a lesser extent, in the retail market, where the benefits provided by simultaneous heating and cooling can offer the end-user significant advantages. At Panasonic, we have adapted our range to detect and reduce energy waste to maximise efficiency wherever possible. By using high-tech sensors and precise
control programs, our 2014 range of air to air heat pumps can analyse the conditions of the room and then adjust heating or cooling power accordingly. We have also introduced a new temperature wave function which offsets the air conditioners’ performance against thermo-physiological response.
This function is able to change the temperature in the room using a specific algorithm in order to reduce the consumption and to keep the comfort. This algorithm is patented by Panasonic. In addition, air conditioning units can work to purify the indoor air. The unit can filter the air and remove bacteria, preventing mould growth on surfaces and creating a healthier and cleaner environment. This is ideal for households with family members suffering from respiratory problems.
We have also extended the connectivity and control options across our full range of heating and cooling solutions. With a cloud-based monitoring system, users now have a range of flexible and intelligent solutions to monitor their energy consumption. A user can now plan and program the climate system during the year using the new weekly scheduler. They can configure that every working day the climate system would turn on before they wake, turn of just before leaving the house and turn on again before arriving home from work, maximising the efficiency of the system.
There is talk about the possibility of large public sector housing investment and any movement in this direction would be welcomed, but energy efficiency will continue to drive our industry. That’s something that’s not going to change in the near future.
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