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RACA Journal Publication
www . hvacronline . co . za benjamin @ interactmedia . co . za
THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE HVACR SECTOR
For decades scientists and various lobbying groups have been hammering the drum around climate change with some fiercely behind shifting the ways things are done , while others have dismissed the subject alluding to statements around authenticity .
More and more evidence is emerging through studies that climate change is in fact a real-world risk that will have to be seriously negotiated in the near future , but more evident is the fastchanging conditions around extreme weather conditions actually seen around the globe with increasing cases from heat waves to flooding and extreme colds . Various reports over the last five years also show rain and snow in arid desert regions . Truly abnormal !
Reading some of the latest data around climate change reveals that the outcome of increased global temperatures is becoming more probable and by studying various graphs and imaging maps , these indicate that in Southern Africa the ultimate potential is that up to 8 ° C hotter temperatures could be added to our scales .
This thought , along with changing conditioning needs of the air that must take new humidity levels into account too , must leave an
open door for engineers that are set on future proofing systems . How is this achievable when parameters show such vastly different outlooks , or forbid , the opposite in that this region switches over to a cold climate ! We would not be ready for that by any means .
Either way climate change predictions will have an impact on all HVACR systems and possibly not only around negotiating temperatures and humidity , but the further conditioning required for ‘ dirty ’ fresh air from the environment that is overloaded or saturated with chemicals or mineral particulate that can no longer be absorbed by plant life .
When you sit down and actually start thinking about all of the challenges one would experience in design alone , dramatically increased or decreased regional temperatures will have a direct impact on energy consumption because new systems will be demanded and existing systems will be pushed to their capacity to meet the needs of their function . The strain on an energy generation system such as what we see locally can only spell bigger risks .
Climate change is happening whether one wants to admit it or not , and more so now than before it is every individual ’ s responsibility to act with the best interest of future generations . Leaders and governments can only urge people so far . The large scale action needed lies with the business sectors that contribute to a better or worse end .
In this issue we cover a number of local and international news topics . We were further deeply saddened by the news of the passing of industry stalwart and decades-long contributor Charles Nicolson . He will be missed greatly by the industry .
We further carry information on association updates , the recent SAIRAC AGM , our regular contributors and a technical peer reviewed paper on the use of UV as a disinfection technique . Our feature is on heat pumps that Lord Kelvin in fact already referenced in his early work and that may be a future single solution for both large scale heating and cooling for building comfort and functionality , as well as all industrial and processing applications . Our project is the ABSA Towers mixed-use re-development in Johannesburg city that has won multiple awards .
If you have any news to share , please feel free to get in touch with me directly . The same applies for any new technology , design concepts , technical articles or projects we can consider publishing in the Journal . I welcome your feedback as always too . I am happy to have your opinions regardless of compliment or complaint – we are all continually growing and learning anyway .
This month ’ s quote I love , because it speaks to me as a person and the way I think . We are not always in control of every aspect of our lives but what we do in each circumstance is what counts .
“ Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out .” - John Wooden
Wishing you a wonderful month ahead and don ’ t forget to update
your listings for the annual directory ! RACA
Ben
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I October 2021 1