AIR CONDITIONING
to human presence. Energy features allow periodic staged set back control to regulate, depending on occupancy, selectable to a range of between five and 60 minutes after no movement is detected, raising the set point temperature whilst in cooling mode and lowering it in heating mode.
The second trend we are seeing is for
increased connectivity. LG has a connectivity system called ThinQ, which works well when connecting air conditioning to smart systems. The choice for those installing air conditioning in their homes, is to select either a high-tech controller or a hard wired controller, with the high-tech controller being ideal for those wanting a system that is linked by the WiFi system in the property and controllable from a smart phone or other device from anywhere in the world.
ThinQ allows you to be connected to a range of equipment and appliances in the home and to remotely control their functionality, with intended design trends moving towards deep learning AI for home automation and the optimisation of energy savings.
While many people find this level of control complex and over the top, there are an
increasing number of people who are attracted by the ability to be in control around the home when they are away on business or on holiday. It is another trend that is taking hold here in the UK.
Trend number three is the attraction to space saving, smaller air conditioning units, resulting in the introduction of smaller VRF/ VRV systems across the UK. Many manufacturers have introduced these smaller units, and LG has introduced its new high efficiency Multi V S for this reason specifically. Ideal for apartment buildings, retail shops and small commercial properties, the Multi V S brings VRF systems into play where the size of other units has seen them discounted.
These units are highly flexible and offer a significant option where there is limited outdoor space for the outdoor unit. Because of the long pipe lengths capacity, the outdoor units can easily be located in areas where they do not impact the look of the building. Providing air conditioning and heating, these units are increasingly being used particularly in new build apartment developments.
A fourth trend that we are currently seeing is the desire to switch from R410a to R32
refrigerant. A question we would ask is, with the recent release of Honeywell’s A1 classified Solstice N41, or the provisionally classified R466A, is this a long-term solution or simply a short term response to the F Gas issue? Different refrigerants over the years have exhibited ozone depletion or global warming potential. We have moved from R22 to R407c to R410A, and now to R32. What next? One of the major air conditioning
manufacturers is responsible for the production of most of the world’s R32 and it is easy to be cynical if the market trend we are seeing in regard to the demand for R32 is as much a commercial drive as an environmental one. The competition that Honeywell has now created has halted the near monopoly on low GWP refrigerant and will prevent a potential increase in price like that which we have seen from R410a, once the R32 marke t is firmly established.
A ll air conditioning equipment man ufacturers are looking to switch to R32 systems at the moment, and while it may well be a good thing for the environment in one respect, it is worth being cynical and asking what the next great white hope will be in this field.
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