RACA Journal April 2020 | Page 36

Associations Durban Chairman, Neeraj Ramkissoon and speaker, Wayne Muller. efficiency ratio (ESEER) which is controlled (among others) by the Eurovent Certification Company. Residential, retail, light commercial, shipping centres, industrial systems can all benefit from the energy rating tool. Muller then looked at different systems that offer different energy ratings like variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems which offer a saving of between 40 and 45%. He further broke down 34 RACA Journal I April 2020 how such a system works. Other systems he looked at where chilled water / hot water system and thermal storage which he called ‘a game changer’. Thermal storage provides off peak cooling, it reduces the size of chillers, and has the advantage of using off peak electrical rates. “Thermal storage has a four- to six-year payback on capital cost, its maintenance free, easy to install and monitor, and can be added to existing plant chiller,” he said. Capitec in Stellenbosch, Novartis South Africa in Midrand and La Mercy Beach Hotel in Tongaat are a few of the projects that installed some of the systems he shared. To end off, he shared some pointers that professionals should consider when choosing an HVAC system: • Professional assessment of the building or area’s needs • Holistic approach to selecting the system • Benefits for the client in the short- and long-term • Possibly changing the system in a few years • Life span of the plant and service and maintenance • Capital cost and return on investment • Cost of running the system – tenant, developer, user • Select the right system for the application • Put yourself in the client’s position and give them the options • Integration of different systems and services. RACA www.hvacronline.co.za