EDITORÊS VIEW
http://www.mepmiddleeast.com August 2019 | MEP Middle East 27
N
ew or alternative technology is often
handled with kid gloves, especially
when the established system is so
deeply ingrained in the traditional
method of working.
It can take a long time to change a mind,
particularly in this industr y, but attitudes
are steadily changing, and the usually slow
paced HVAC market is experiencing notable
disruption.
Conventional chillers have dominated the
Middle East market for decades, but are
yielding an ever-increasing share to variable
refrigerant fl ow (VRF) systems.
It’s a shake up that’s been a long time
coming, and one that consultants and con-
tractors are giving greater consideration to
each and ever y year.
In this MEP Middle East Special Report,
we explore some of the key factors that
have led to the rise in popularity of VRF
technology.
We’ve analysed the state of the market,
and taken a look at why the negative ef-
fects of climate change are a proving to be a
positive driving factor in VRF growth – and
of HVAC in general – across the Middle East
and Africa.
Utpal Joshi, head of VRF DX consulting
sales for air conditioning manufacturing
company Daikin, has provided us insight
into what the future holds, with particular
focus on growing aspirations for net zero
energy building.
Meanwhile, the head of mechanical
engineering for the UAE at Khatib & Alami,
Mansour Kharoub, notes the emirate’s
demand for VRF and the forecasts for the
local market, and explains why more robust
regulation is driving competitiveness on a
wider scale.
The continued emergence of VRF systems
as a legitimate, cost effective, and energy
effi cient alternative to conventional cooling
units is welcome in the GCC.
Whatever your personal preference, bur-
geoning competition is forcing consultants
and contractors into a stern evaluation of en-
ergy consumption and end user benefi t. Andat a time when effi ciency is paramount to
sustainable living, that can only be a good
thing.Tom Oxtoby
MEP Middle East Editor
[email protected]Variable refrigerant fl ow consistently challenges
conventional chillers for leading cooling solution crown
REVOLUTION & CHILL
VRF technology is being considered for an ever-growing number of project scenarios.