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Heating and Cooling

Association releases new training manual

By: Halima Frost 17th September 2021 Last month, South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (Saracca) released its updated training manual, which will be implemented, from this month onwards, by heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) training providers throughout South Africa.... →

Refrigeration system to cut energy costs available

By: Halima Frost 17th September 2021 With South African retailers looking for ways of recovering from the latest lockdown, as well as the looting and vandalism, an opportunity to decrease costs on the system that comprises the bulk of their energy spend, which is refrigeration, has arisen. “All food retailers rely on refrigeration... →

A large solar installation on a clients roof installed by EP Refrigeration, which is grid-tied and decreases the clients reliance on grid power

LIGHT WORK Adding a solar installation to a company's refrigeration unit deceases the cost of running the unit off grid power alone

New units installed at zinc mine

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th September 2021 Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) expert Booyco Engineering is installing the first of its “new generation” units at a South African zinc mine, later this month. →

COOL SPOT Booyco Engineering operates a world class HVAC assembly facility in Johannesburg

Booyco Engineering executives unpacks its extensive product design and testing process

Global citrus demand increases refrigeration demand

By: Halima Frost 17th September 2021 A global increase in demand for South African-grown citrus, as well as more export regulations, has resulted in a substantial increase in demand for refrigeration capacity, says local refrigeration manufacturer EP Refrigeration business development head Dawie Kriel. “We not only need to add... →

A roof top refrigeration system installed by EP Refrigeration at a produce packing house

FRUITFUL SERVICES An increased need for refrigerated storage and transport capacity in the citrus sector is being addressed by EP Refrigeration

Project aims to transform HVAC-R sector

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 12th February 2021 The Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection, together with the Bavarian Environment Agency, has entered into bilateral cooperation with the Western Cape government in what is known as the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) partnership project. The project being... →

Specialist installs humidifier at tobacco plant

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 12th February 2021 Humidification specialist Humidair, in collaboration with air conditioning contractor Fifty-two Engineering, completed a humidification project for a tobacco company in Edenvale, Gauteng at the end of last year. The project entailed the installation of large JetSpray humidifier systems comprising... →

Planned maintenance essential during pandemic

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 12th February 2021 With ventilation and filtration having become paramount in the prevention of Covid-19 infections, preventive maintenance for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment has become “vital” in ensuring that machines work optimally, says air conditioning specialist Flat Foot... →

Wieland SA

30th September 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. →

Rising data-storage demand calls for cooling systems

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th September 2020 There has been a surge in the construction of data centres in South Africa since 2017, and the centres need accurate and reliable cooling regimes to function efficiently, says pump manufacturer Grundfos. →

DRIVING OUT THE COLD A Grundfos TPE pump using the functionality from the onboard variable speed drive to provide pinpoint accuracy for a cooling application.

Company’s products ensure longevity

18th September 2020 Engineering components provider BMG’s portfolio of Fenner power transmission components includes a range of high-strength friction transmission belts that offer dependable performance in demanding heating, cooling and ventilation applications. →

ALWWAYS ON CALL BMG offers a technical advisory and 24-hour support service throughout Africa

Parallel compressor systems brought on by tech development

18th September 2020 In the past, individual or single compressor systems were used for most medium and low temperature applications. However, with continuous refrigeration technology development, multiple or parallel refrigeration systems were introduced into the industry. →

INSIDE OUT The multiple parallel compressor rack system may be designed for either indoor or outdoor use

Environmental concerns driving industry change

By: Mamaili Mamaila 18th September 2020 A disruptive change is currently underway in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) refrigerant market, global safety science company UL states. →

GOING GREEN Driven by environmental concerns, global promoters are advocating the phase-out of traditional refrigerants in favour of new alternatives with a lower global warming potential

Engineering collaboration assists local development

18th September 2020 Mechanical engineering contractor Brimis Engineering is working together with air conditioning contractor Blue Hemisphere on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) installation at the Middelburg Provincial Hospital. →

Heating solutions ensure energy efficiency

18th September 2020 Electrical and digital building infrastructure specialist Legrand South Africa’s smart Netatmo solutions, which are designed for convenience, safety and comfort at home, ensure energy efficiency and enhanced aesthetics. →

UNMATCHED CONSISTENCY Smart Netatmo thermostats ensure the home environment stays at the correct pre-set temperature – no matter what the outside weather conditions are

HVACR industry at a turning point

By: Mamaili Mamaila 18th September 2020 The heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry is at a turning point and it is up to all the innovators in the industry to take the lead and set a new standard for South Africa, multinational air-conditioning manufacturing company Daikin South Africa MD Koen Van... →

KOEN VAN WYNENDAELE Before the Covid-19 outbreak, the industry in general was under pressure owing to a sluggish economy with limited to no growth, a difficult political climate and a tough investment climate

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,... →

VITAL QUALIFICATIONS

There are many employment opportunities for those trained and certified practitioners who are compliant

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... →

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

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... →

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

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

Editorial Insight

Urgent solution needed

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Business Leader

Dean Thompson

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DUSTBIN OF HISTORY

South Africa simply cannot afford a repeat of 2021 this year. Further delays in dealing with the country’s big problems of load-shedding, economic and social crime, vaccine hesitancy and, most worryingly, a growth rate that is too low to make a dent into chronic unemployment will set the scene for the type of deadly instability that gripped the country in July last year. Decisive policymaking and diligent implementation are the only ways to confine 2021 to the dustbin of history.

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