Europe
Optimism in Spain
The air conditioning industry in general has begun to recover from the recession and 2014 was a year of growth in most sectors says Pilar Budi, director of the air conditioning equipment trade association, Asociacion de Fabricantes de Equipos de Climatizacion (AFEC). An exception was in sales of small air conditioning units for houses and flats - said to be the result mainly of the particularly mi...
Domestic Ventilation Analyzed
The rapidly growing industry in domestic ventilation packages revealed at the last ISH/Aircontec exhibition in Germany prompts the journal cci Zeitung to analyze the present status of the industry. The number of whole-house/apartment central systems with integral heat recovery and ducted distribution sold rose from 42,000 units in 2012 to 46,500 units in 2014 - a 10% growth. The market for decentr...
Baxi Launches AC Units in Spain
Well known for its domestic heating products in the United Kingdom, Baxi has entered the Spanish market for small split air conditioners with its Orion-brand range which is said to have operational and aesthetic advantages over most units currently on offer. In particular the DC inverter speed-controlled units have a much reduced sound level - stated as 20 dB (A) although information so far availa...
Humidity and IAQ
A two-year program of research into the effect of humidity on perceived indoor air quality (IAQ) has been completed by the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany. The results show the positive influence of humidity control on a variety of physiological effects and the perception of air quality. Moisture was added to the air using direct spray injection in the form of a ‘nano-fog’ - sub-micron aerosols - ...
Future in Absorption
The changing profile in energy conservation and recovery is reviving interest in the role of large absorption chiller/heat pumps in the United Kingdom. Latest development is the distribution deal signed between Klima- Therm and Korea-based World Energy who produces absorption units energized by direct fuel firing, hot water/steam, or waste heat. According to World Energy’s website, capacities of i...
Out-sourcing Air - A New Concept
Chiller leasing has become a familiar solution in air conditioning but relatively new is the concept of buying conditioned air as a kind of utility in the same way as gas or water. This is a service being provided by Jet Environmental in the United Kingdom who specializes in large volume buildings such as warehouses, leisure centers, factories, and exhibition spaces up to 40 meters in height. Sour...
