HVAC suppliers in focus

LG has been proactive in adopting environment-friendly R410a refrigerant in its inverter system (Multi V) and R407C in its ceiling-concealed units
[More Images]

MEP Middle East takes a closer look at some major suppliers in the HVAC sector, their main products and sustainability initiatives.

LG ELECTRONICS
Can you give us a bit of background on your commercial HVAC product range?
Dharmesh Sawant, senior sales manager: LG Electronics, the world’s largest air-conditioner manufacturer, has a wide range:

• Ducted split: This unit is supplied with eco-friendly R407C refrigerant (as well as R22 as an option);
• Single package: An economic and user-friendly model, designed for medium-sized houses and shops. Features include a number of operational modes, auto restart and a washable anti-bacterial filter;
• Ceiling cassette: This model is used mainly in commercial environments like restaurants, hotels, offices and meeting rooms. It features four louvres to circulate air in all directions, providing even large areas with an evenly-conditioned atmosphere;
• Floor-standing: This type blends in perfectly with its surroundings. Clean and fresh air-conditioning is ensured with a high level of cooling or heating performance and air-purifying operation.
  Multi V is LG’s premium-brand inverter system. This VRF air-conditioner uses a new eco-friendly refrigerant and high-efficiency inverter. The new inverter allows for optimal control of a single large compressor, which is based on multi-compressor technology comprising a DC inverter compressor and high-efficiency, constant-speed compressor. The adoption of this technology has enabled precise control dependant on the cooling/heating load , leading to ultra energy-efficient heating and cooling.

Story continues below

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT Please click here to comment on this article

What are some of your latest product developments?

Sawant: LG Electronics is currently focusing on eco-friendly air-conditioners, whereby the carbon dioxide emissions are controlled throughout the lifecycle from design and manufacturing to usage and disposal, thus allowing the products to be more energy-efficient. In the past few years, LG’s residential air-conditioner segment has witnessed enormous growth, together with an expanding market share in commercial air-conditioners, all due to its high energy-efficiency technology.

The latest development is Hybrid COGEN, which simultaneously generates electricity and heat, utilising liquefied natural gas (LNG). It uses 32% less energy, while also reducing the emission of environmental pollutants such as carbon dioxide gas. Hybrid XEO combines a highly-efficient, energy-saving inverter system air-conditioner with geothermal heat pumps. It reduces energy consumption by about by 30% a year.

What do you see as some of the major trends in the HVAC industry at the moment?

Sawant: The continuous increase in the number of supermarkets and shopping malls has provided an impetus to the growth of the market for commercial refrigeration and cold chain equipment. This certainly highlights the fact that the HVAC industry in UAE will undergo many changes and expansion within the next five to ten years. Thanks to pending regulations by the UAE authorities, developers are now considering the lifecycle cost of products.

How is the R22 phase-out expected to impact on your product range in the UAE?

Sawant: While the R22 refrigerant phase-out will be gradual, LG has been proactive in adopting environment-friendly R410a refrigerant in its inverter system (Multi V) and R407C in its ceiling-concealed units. This has helped to encourage developers to adopt ‘green’ products.