COOLING | NEWS Four years of growth for US air con market Voice control with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa has been introduced to Panasonics air conditioning portfolio. This functionality offers benefits for the commercial and residential markets. Once paired via an app, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa can be used for simple tasks, such as on/off, operating modes, temperature settings and checking operating status. In the commercial sector, users can pre-determine working environments. For example, settings on the app such as temperature can be activated by voice command to pre-cool an office before employees arrive. This service can be administered by any worker via Amazon Alexa, or by inviting them to join via the Google Home app. Smart tech keeps fans turning Schneider Electric has launched a ventilation system that monitors filter and airflow status for multiple control panels or electrical distribution enclosures. The ClimaSys system helps avoid downtime by automatically alerting maintenance personnel when filters or other ventilation parts need servicing or replacement. When ventilation system filters become blocked with dust or dirt, enclosures can quickly overheat and cause equipment failures or fire, said Josep Lopez, offer manager at Schneider Electric. Enclosures operating in harsh environments are particularly susceptible to filters becoming clogged, reducing internal airflow, he added. A central controller collects and analyses information from filter and fan sensors across one or more enclosures. A filter with an integrated dust sensor uses infrared technology and algorithms to determine the level of accumulated dirt. Sensors also measure air temperature passing through inlet and outlet grille locations, giving delta-T values for each enclosure. Additional sensors measure RPM, fan current, and temperature of the transported air around each fan. This enables measurement of fan efficiency and indicates whether internal temperature is exceeding fan capacity. iStock.com / Vchal Voice control for air conditioning Smart revolution has made an impact on the commercial market The value of the US central plant air conditioning market rose by around 6% in 2018, to reach US$3.2bn (2.6bn), BSRIA has found. Its Central plant air conditioning study showed the market experienced growth in residential, commercial and industrial applications. The central plant figures include the combined sales for chillers and airside products (AHUs, fan coils, VAVs and other terminal units). Over the past five years, product replacement has been fuelled by higher efficiency, green products and technology convergence. In 2018, the central plant market expanded on the back of economic growth and increased investments in renovation and construction. Growth, generally, did not exceed 5% in any product category, but prices were under inflationary pressure as a result of the trade war between the USA and China, the study found. Air conditioning prices are expected to continue to rise over the next few years, driven by a shift towards more energy efficient systems and the use of new refrigerants, the report said. The chiller market expanded modestly in 2018. Sales were propelled by higher efficiency systems, the use of new refrigerants, and add-ons from suppliers, such as remote monitoring. AHUs are expected to move towards increasing fan motor efficiency, more controls, and features to improve indoor air quality, the report added. PACKAGED MARKET LEAPT TO US$20BN IN 2018 The value of the US market for packaged air conditioning solutions rose by more than 14% in 2018, reaching US$20.4bn. The figure, from BSRIAs Room, packaged, unitary and furnaces air conditioning study, includes the combined sales for windows/throughthe-wall units, PTAC, moveables, minisplits, VRF, roof-tops, indoor packaged, US-style ducted splits, evaporative coils, furnaces, and close control units. There was more than a 6% increase in volumes, although prices increased above this level, driven by warm weather and a relatively healthy US economy. In 2019, BSRIA estimates further growth of just less than 4% in terms of volume, but more than 8% in value, to exceed US$22bn this year. New CPD programme for consultants and installers Toshiba Air Conditioning has launched a new continuing professional development (CPD) programme for consultants, installers and end users to update their technical and legislative knowledge. The free courses, certified by CIBSE, focus on improving their understanding of the impact of new legislation on air conditioning for buildings, improving system design and product application for energy efficiency, and environmental protection. In addition to courses on the fundamentals of air conditioning, there are modules on the latest F-Gas legislation, the application of existing and new refrigerants, an overview of Breeam and how it relates to air conditioning, and updates on the latest compressor technology and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems. 60 September 2019 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Sep19 pp59-61 Aircon News.indd 60 23/08/2019 16:30