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http://www.mepmiddleeast.com August 2019 | MEP Middle East 31
over to the owner/facilities management
team, if there happens to be a problem or
malfunction in one of the VRF compressors or
an issue with the system, only the spaces fed
by the units will be affected, whereas with a
centralised system a complete or partial shut-
down of the AC system in the entire develop-
ment may result.
Moreover, VRF gives owners the fl exibility
of modifying or adding to their system with
minimal effect on the development.
And for multiple occupancies, the new
tenant billing feature has made it easier for
landlords to charge tenants for their HVAC
consumption and, therefore, it has also in-
creased the operational attractiveness of the
system.
The upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai is an
interesting case to look at in this debate, as
it is understood that around 80% of the pavil-
ions have been designed using VRF, as well as
many of the back-of-house areas.
As VRF technology evolves and the tech-
nical constraints that consultants deal withtion and of optimising the use of water. Other
GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
Oman and Bahrain have also got their acts
together when it comes to rating buildings’
energy effi ciency – whether by develop-
ing their own systems or following inter-
nationally recognised systems such as LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design).
These developments certainly bode well
for the HVAC industr y and the application of
VRF systems given their energy effi ciency
credentials.
Focusing on the UAE, where I am based,
P&S Intelligence estimates that the countr y’s
HVAC market is set to reach around $1.4bn
by the year 2024 and register a CAGR of 6.4%
during the forecast period.
Among all cooling types (room air condi-
tioners, split units, ducted split/packaged
unit, and chillers), VRF is expected to register
the fastest growth in the market.
On small and medium sized projects, for
instance, VRF allows engineers to take a de-
centralized and fl exible approach to HVAC
design.
This fl exibility is especially evident during
the operational phase of projects and is thus a
crucial consideration for designers when se-
lecting a system for the entire life cycle of an
asset. For example, after a project is handedExpo 2020 is an
interesting case, as it is
understood that around
80% of the pavilions have
been designed using VRF
Vision 2030, which encompasses ‘green’
buildings ratings system Estidama, has be-
come a catalyst for VRF adoption, particularly
for educational buildings where the specifi c
requirements for these projects would appear
to best be met by VRF.
For an educational facility we recently de-
signed in the emirate, VRF was easily the
most cost effective, sustainable and compli-
ant option for achieving the necessar y energy
effi ciency credits from Estidama.
Elsewhere in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah
in Januar y unveiled its own green build-
ing regulation, Barjeel, as part of a grand
scheme to achieve 30% energy savings, 20%
water savings, and 20% share from renew-
able energy by the year 2040, under the RAK
Energy Effi ciency and Renewable Energy
Strategy.
Prior to this, the emirate began on the road
to retrofi tting existing buildings, again with
the objective of reducing energy consump- Mansour Kharoub says he is being kept on his toes.
in their designs – such as pipe lengths and
fresh air units – are resolved, one can expect
the uses and application of the technology to
grow.
Having not so long ago participated in a
VRF conference in Ras Al Khaimah, it was
interesting to note that the delegates on the
whole agreed that VRF adoption is widening
regionally.
However, an area of concern was whether
older projects containing older VRF systems
would still be able to obtain spare parts as the
technology develops.
The feeling among experts was that this
concern would need to be addressed by sup-
pliers and manufacturers – perhaps through
them offering supply guarantees to custom-
ers.
One thing is certain though; the introduc-
tion of a fast-developing technology like VRF
into the notoriously slow moving HVAC mar-
ket is an exciting and refreshing change that
is starting to be embraced by countries and
clients, and keeping all of us working in the
construction industr y on our toes.The HVAC market should
expect disruption, according
to Mansour Kharoub.