www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I February 2025 29
Feature
PROJECT TWO : PLOT C396 , ABU DHABI , UAE Following the success of their first project in Abu Dhabi , AHI Carrier embarked on another project , this time optimising HVAC solutions for a multi-floor residential building comprising 131 apartments . This project , also located in the UAE , showcases a different design approach aimed at maximising energy efficiency and sustainability though the requirements were the same : heating , cooling and water reduction .
The initial design for the building utilised Toshiba ' s VRF heat pump systems for space conditioning of the apartments and the common grounds ; FAHUs with DX coils and VRF CDUs for the air treatment of the apartments and the common grounds ; along with conventional electric water heaters for domestic hot water in the apartments .
AHI Carrier was called in to enhance the system ' s efficiency by integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices .
AHI Carrier proposed a comprehensive solution that included Toshiba VRF systems for space conditioning of the apartments and the common grounds ; air to water heat pumps and FAHUs for air treatment ; heating unit interfaces utilising heat captured by solar panels and the air-to-water heat pump for sanitary hot water during cooling cycles to supplement hot water requirements , ensuring efficient energy use throughout the year .
This resulted in annual power savings of 73.7 % compared to the standard solution in SHW on energy consumption and GHG emissions , for a return on investment of 6.7 years .
To further enhance sustainability , AHI Carriers incorporated passive solar systems atop the building ' s water storage tanks . Space limitations meant only 150m2 was available for solar panels , and simulations showed it would deliver only 20-23 % towards the building ' s hot water needs through solar energy , which was insufficient , which is why it went for the water reclamation heat pumps .
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Harris Prousalogou , product and solutions development manager at AHI Carrier Fzs .
The system design includes intricate piping systems that facilitate heat reclamation from the heat pumps and solar panels into the storage tanks . This stored energy is then distributed via manifolds to the heating liquid phases throughout the building . This holistic approach not only maximises energy efficiency but also minimises operational costs and environmental impact .
AHI Carrier navigated local regulatory challenges by utilising available technologies from Cairo and Riyadh , as specific products like the SHRM were not yet certified for use in the UAE .
This adaptive approach underscores their flexibility and expertise in tailoring solutions to meet regional regulatory requirements while maintaining high standards of performance and efficiency .
Central to the project ' s success is the implementation of a Building Management System ( BMS ) that monitors and controls all HVAC components , including chillers , heat pumps , VRF systems and hot water production units . This centralised oversight ensures optimal system performance and responsiveness to varying environmental conditions .
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Toshiba ’ s standalone VRF system .
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I February 2025 29