Engineering News | Features

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Follow @EngNewsZA

Heating and Cooling

Wieland SA

26th June 2020 Wieland SA celebrates 45 years of supplying high-quality, semi-finished copper and copper alloy products to the local and export markets. Based in Edenvale, Johannesburg, Wieland SA specialises in producing high-performance low- and high-finned mono- and bi-metal tubes. →

Skills shortage plagues natural refrigerant sector

By: Darren Parker 14th February 2020 One of the most pertinent issues facing the local heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) industry is the lack of specialised skills needed for the systematic adoption of natural refrigerants in place of traditional synthetic refrigerants. Heightened pressure on... →

SNEAKY LEAKS Refrigeration systems charged with odourless CO2 need to be monitored with sensors to ensure leaks do not compromise air quality in enclosed spaces

Renewed call to ban disposable cylinders

By: Darren Parker 14th February 2020 Despite various heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) industry participants contesting the banning of disposable gas cylinders in South Africa for years, there is no indication of a decision on the matter being reached. South African Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning... →

TIME TO SCRAP THIS PRACTICE Disposed cylinders create about 3 150 m3 scrap metal and can explode if not thoroughly evacuated

Refrigerant recovery service set for expansion

By: Darren Parker 14th February 2020 Speciality chemicals supplier A-Gas South Africa is planning to expand its rapid recovery refrigerant service nationally this year. This follows the appointment of A-Gas business development manager Grant McGill in September last year. →

IT’S A GAS The Rapid Recovery service is up to ten times faster than traditional refrigerant recovery methods

Increase in vehicle sales driving HVAC demand

20th September 2019 Growing vehicles sales and inclination toward safety and luxury are the main factors which are driving the global automotive heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) market, according to a study released by global market intelligence and insights provider Fact.MR. The progression of the... →

MARKET DOMINANCE The Japanese automotive HVAC market has been estimated to dominate the market by value owing to the growing sales of vehicles

HVAC product manufacturing plant in Columbia expanded

20th September 2019 Indoor comfort solutions and services provider Trane marked a celebration last month to commend a significant expansion to its manufacturing facility in South Carolina, Columbia in the US, as well as highlight the company’s ongoing efforts in environmental, social and business sustainability. →

The Columbia facility expansion, in addition to additional workforce initiatives and community donations, are in line with the company’s 2030 sustainability commitments

HVAC-R system to be introduced to S Africa in Q1 2020

By: Cameron Mackay 20th September 2019 Diversified technology company Johnson Controls will introduce Verasys – the first plug-and-play control system that integrates heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) equipment and controls – to the South African market in the first quarter of next year. Johnson... →

Institute establishes drive for CO2 as natural refrigerant

By: Cameron Mackay 20th September 2019 Local heating, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) industry body the South African Institute of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SAIRAC) has established a drive to introduce the option of using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a natural refrigerant, referred to as R744, through technical talks... →

Versatile drives ideal for HVAC industry

By: Cameron Mackay 20th September 2019 Many features of the variable-speed drive (VSD) solutions provided by drive technology provider SEW-Eurodrive can be applied to projects in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) industries, says SEW-Eurodrive mechatronic sales engineer Paul Strzalkowski. He states that here VSDs... →

MIXING CONVEYORS The conveyor system consists of a central conveyor that is fed by eight smaller conveyors, each of which contain various frozen-food products to be mixed

AHR Expo showcases excitement at HVAC global market expansion

22nd February 2019 The latest advancements in technology and product advancement in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry were on display during the three-day 2019 AHR Expo that took place last month from 14 to 16 January in Atlanta in the US. For the first time since 2001, 1 824 companies... →

ENERGY FOR FUTURE OF HVAC The HVACR industry is in a exciting position at the moment and that energy was evident on the Show Floor this year

Johnson Controls pleased with market response to YZ chiller

By: Cameron Mackay 22nd February 2019 Multinational diversified technology and industrial leader Johnson Controls is pleased with the positive market response to its new YORK YZ magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller, after its global release last September. With energy efficiency and a low global-warming potential refrigerant,... →

ENERGY EFFICIENCY INNOVATION The YZ Chiller’s superior energy efficiency and low carbon footprint has meant it has really taken this industry by storm

BBE Group air-cooling consulting crucial to African mining prospects

By: Cameron Mackay 22nd February 2019 Consulting and engineering services business Bluhm Burton Engineering (BBE) Group’s air-cooling consulting and services are crucial to its involvement in several mining projects, with construction and delivery of design and build turnkey cooling solutions to mines across the African continent.... →

TRANSCONTINENTAL AFRICA FOCUS We’re not considering entering the HVAC industry locally we are staying in our market - where people fear to tread

Unregistered HVAC practitioners still a threat to industry – Saracca

By: Cameron Mackay 22nd February 2019 Despite improvement in the number of people who are obtaining training and qualifications to become registered refrigeration gas practitioners, the number of air conditioner installers without an authorised refrigeration gas practitioner registration licence, or with a fraudulent certification,... →

Photo by Hot Mustard
VITAL QUALIFICATIONS There are many employment opportunities for those trained and certified practitioners who are compliant

Increased investment in refrigeration model planned

By: Paige Müller 21st September 2018 Core energy utilities provider Energy Partners Refrigeration plans to invest a further R30-million this year still in its increasingly popular refrigeration outsourcing model. Energy Partners Refrigeration CEO Dawie Kriel tells Engineering News that the company’s two-year-old refrigeration... →

DAWIE KRIEL Businesses are operating refrigeration systems that are performing poorly and are expensive to maintain

First corrosionproof AHU developed

By: Paige Müller 21st September 2018 After significant research and development into a new air handling unit (AHU), Pietermaritzburg-based air conditioning contractor TROX South Africa now offers the market the non-metallic XeCube AHU, which has a high level of structural integrity, is impervious to corrosion and is significantly... →

SUN COAST CASINOS Four TROX XeCube air handling units, comprising 47 filters to 49 filters have been installed at Sun Coast Casinos

Coupling technology reduces costs, improves efficiency

By: Paige Müller 21st September 2018 Global mechanical pipe joining systems developer Victaulic says its grooved Quickvic coupling solutions offer significant cost savings to contractors working in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) market. Victaulic regional manager Marcel Ley tells Engineering News that the... →

MARCEL LEY The Victaulic Quickvic coupling solutions replace the welding and threading of pipes in the HVAC industry

Lifestyle diseases impact on HVAC industry employees

By: Paige Müller 21st September 2018 Occupational health services provider Working Knowledge International has raised concerns about the lack of market education pertaining to risks associated with lifestyle diseases which impacts on employees working in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry. Working... →

HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY Working Knowledge provides companies with professional advice based on legislative requirements for employees working in the HVAC industry

HVAC&R event breaks records

23rd February 2018 The international Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) set six all-time records, including more than 72 000 attendees and 49 995 registered visitors. The 70th edition of the world’s largest heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) marketplace... →

EXPO EXTRAVAGANZA More than 72 000 people attended the AHR Expo

Change of venue draws in highly targeted audience

23rd February 2018 With over 3 000 visitors attending throughout the course of the three-day biennial Heating, Cooling, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) Show, the new venue that organiser Datateam Business Media opted for proved to be a success. Having taken place from January 23 to 25 at... →

SKILLS TRANSFER The show offered over 20 highly-attended CPD accredited seminars

Company addresses ICT cooling shelters

23rd February 2018 Technology products manufacturer and services provider Tellumat has redeveloped its TK1 Positive Pressure System Air Handling Unit into a modular version of the revolutionary cooling system. The TK1 is a free air-cooling system specifically designed for information and communication technology... →

Photo by Bloomberg
COOL COMMUNICATIONS South Africa’s climate of temperature extremes presents a significant challenge to the cooling of ICT equipment housing shelters

Energy efficiency hot topic in HVAC industry

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 23rd February 2018 The biggest potential for growth in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry lies in energy efficiency, as a great deal of research and development is going into variable-speed drives (VSDs) because they can cut a chiller’s yearly energy use by up to 30%, says HVAC company... →

TIME IS MONEY Johnson Controls’ products can get up and running within 30 seconds

Engie acquires Southern African HVAC companies

23rd February 2018 Multinational electric utility company Engie has acquired air conditioning company Thermaire Investments as well as its sister company heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) products and services provider Ampair. This is a major step for Engie in developing its energy services in... →

DOING BUSINESS Engie is embarking on an acquisition strategy to grow its presence in the African market

Inferior imports likely to increase in refrigerant industry

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 23rd February 2018 Illegal inferior refrigerants imports will increase as the ongoing phasing out of hydrochlorofluorocarbon and the impending phase out of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases progresses, argues speciality chemical and gas supplier A-Gas South Africa national sales manager Michael Labacher. “These... →

Photo by Duane Daws
LAB INSPECTION A-Gas tests and inspects refrigerants to ensure that they are legitimate and meet global specifications prior to shipment to South Africa

Industries should prepare for increased use of HFO gases

By: Nadine James 22nd September 2017 As a result of the Kigali Agreement, countries will gradually start phasing out the use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases, replacing them with hydrofluoro-olefin (HFO) gases and natural refrigerants like ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons, says industrial gases supplier A-Gas South Africa.... →

MULTiFACETED OPERATION A-Gas offers a range of products to assist across a broad range of sectors, including shipping, refrigeration, air conditioning, automotive and mining

Manufacturer looks to strengthen position in HVAC sector

By: Nadine James 22nd September 2017 Automation manufacturer SEW Eurodrive is looking to strengthen its foothold within the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) sector, having entered into the market last year. SEW national sales manager Norman Maleka comments that at present, the company is building up its experience... →

ENHANCED CLIMATE CONTROL The improved functionality of the LTP-B Eco HVAC drive enures that managers can run a fan when needed, representing a major advantage in terms of energy-saving

New chillers, heat pumps launch next month

By: Nadine James 22nd September 2017 Multinational heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment producer Johnson Controls is launching its Amichi series of chillers and heat pumps for the South African market on October 1. Johnson Controls building efficiency Africa GM Neil Cameron explains that the series has... →

NEIL CAMERON The main driver of the mid-capacity sector is the type of construction currently favoured by South African developers

Product presentation showcases VRF technology

By: Nadine James 22nd September 2017 Last month, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) product distributor AHI Carrier South Africa – the official distributor for Japanese air-conditioning manufacturer Toshiba – hosted a product presentation and training event for the Toshiba SHRM-e variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system.... →

NEW & IMPROVED The SHRM-e series variable refrigerant flow system has various new features and improves on the shortcomings of previous systems

Water Diagnostic Consultants

By: Zandile Mavuso 22nd September 2017 Water Diagnostic Consultants (WDC) is a water-related consulting company that offers a broad spectrum of services to a range of clients. WDC is committed to quality assessments and service that will add value to any operation, while providing integrated solutions for the real needs of clients in... →

New VSDs in high demand

By: Sascha Solomons 24th February 2017 Following the launch of its Movitrac LTP B HVAC, or heating ventilation and air-conditioning, variable-speed drives (VSDs) last year, automation manufacturer SEW-Eurodrive says the demand from the HVAC industry has been high. →

VENTILATION ASSURED SEW’s HVAC VSD supply smooth ventilation to any given building

Company completes cooling system installation

By: Sascha Solomons 24th February 2017 Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contracting company 52 Engineering has completed the installation of a cooling system at tyre manufacturing company Bridgestone, in Brits, in the North West. →

COOLING SYSTEM FITTINGS 52 Engineering provides its clients with high-quality heating, ventilation and air-conditioning products

Quality offering in a competitive market key

By: Sascha Solomons 24th February 2017 Now is the right time to focus on supplying a high-quality offering while remaining relatively competitive, says South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors' Association (Saracca) director Barney Richardson. He highlights that it is not worth the profit, if anything, to work on... →

REMAINING POPULAR Businesses that offer a good service, reliability and value are often in high demand at significant cost

New training course offered on refrigeration units

24th February 2017 Transportation and logistics solutions company Eqstra Flexi Fleet has introduced a new training course at its training academy, specifically designed to equip qualified auto-electricians and diesel mechanics to work on refrigeration units fitted within cold chain vehicles. →

Japanese-manufactured variable refrigerant flow introduced into South Africa

By: Sascha Solomons 24th February 2017 Electronics and electrical products manufacturer Toshiba’s super heat recovery multi (SHRM) variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology for the air-conditioning industry has been introduced to the South African market by distribution company AHI Carrier South Africa. →

Keeping up with technology trends imperative for efficiency

By: Marleny Arnoldi 24th February 2017 With the growing woes of electricity costs in South Africa, engineering professional services consulting firm WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff believes that it is imperative to keep up with air-conditioning technology trends that promote energy efficiency and ease of maintenance. →

PIETER DE BOD Frequent upkeep maintains a standard of sustained energy efficiency

Demand for improved efficiency drives competition

By: Sebastian Whyle 16th September 2016 The demand for increased efficiency of heating and cooling solutions at affordable prices has created stiff competition for companies in the industry, says engineering professional services consulting firm WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff technical director Pieter de Bod, a registered professional... →

INVERTERS PLAY A MAJOR ROLE A major part of the increased efficiencies of heating and cooling solutions is the adoption of inverter technology

Automotive HVAC market set to garner higher revenue globally

By: Sebastian Whyle 16th September 2016 Syndicated market research provider Allied Market Research (AMR) projects that the automotive heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems market will garner revenue worth $22.8-billion by 2022. →

ASIA: A KEY PLAYER Based on geography, Asia-Pacific was the highest revenue-generating region, accounting for more than a 46% share in 2015

Cooling solution to negate need for owning refrigeration plants

By: Sebastian Whyle 16th September 2016 Leading energy solutions provider Energy Partners in June launched its new refrigeration solution, which enables clients to buy low-cost cooling without having to buy or maintain a refrigeration plant. →

Year-on-year 6% growth for local RLC segment

By: Sebastian Whyle 16th September 2016 The local residential and light commercial (RLC) segment of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) sector showed 6% year-on-year growth, says batteries, electronics, and HVAC equipment provider Johnson Controls GM Neil Cameron. →

‘FOLLOW ME’ FUNCTIONALITY A new feature has been developed through which a remote control becomes a temperature sensor

Editorial Insight

Good, sobering and bad

more

Business Leader

Jacques du Toit

more

Cartoon

WAITING TO EXPLODE

more

Photo of the week

TOWER TALKS

more

RSS Feed

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe