Speakers at Daikin’s Towards a Sustainable Future Seminar 2023.
Daikin urges focus on air we breathe
The concentrations of some pollutants indoors are often two to five times higher than they are outdoors, leading to a range of health issues, stresses Daikin as it highlights the importance of indoor air quality and sustainable air-conditioning.
01 July 2023
Daikin Middle East and Africa, a leading global manufacturer of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) solutions, has released its first Art of Air survey findings that shed light on the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) amongst residents in the UAE.
Daikin collaborated with Censuswide, an independent market research consultancy, to conduct the study with the aim of increasing awareness of the importance of IAQ – enabling residents to take action to improve quality of life.
The survey concluded that while 90 per cent said the air quality around them impacts their quality of life and overall health, only half take action to breathe clean air.
Indoor air temperature and humidity have a strong effect on our comfort, sleep, and health at home. Studies show that indoor air can be several times more polluted than outdoor air. This is particularly relevant in the Middle East, where the region’s weather conditions often lead people to spend over 90 per cent of their time indoors, says Daikin.
Whether in homes, offices, shopping malls, hospitals or gyms, individuals are exposed to this potentially harmful environment. Consequently, it becomes imperative to prioritise and maintain fresh, clean indoor air quality, it adds.
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Alawiah ... committed to accelerating the transition towards sustainable cooling in the UAE. |
Apart from the impact the quality of air has on our health, investing in sustainable air-conditioning systems is key as air-conditioning accounts for as much as 65 per cent of the electricity consumption in the UAE, Daikin points out. Overall, well designed and high-quality air-conditioning and air purification systems are vital to our health as much as a healthy diet.
Unfortunately, concentrations of some pollutants indoors are often two to five times higher than they are typically outdoor, leading to a range of health issues, including allergies, respiratory problems, sleep, and reduced productivity.
‘‘When it comes to being healthy, people tend to change their lifestyle, eat healthy, and activate a fitness routine as part of their everyday life. However, people often don’t realise, nor give importance to the air they breathe indoors. Good air quality, humidity and temperature are important for overall health,” says Tuna Gulenc, Vice President at Daikin Middle East and Africa. “Our recent research proved that residents are, in fact, aware of the role their air-conditioning system plays. As many as 93 per cent agreed that regular inspection and upgrading of air-conditioning systems will help improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency. At Daikin, we are committed to developing innovative solutions that improve indoor air quality, ensuring healthier and more comfortable living and working spaces for individuals around the world.’’
Daikin’s mission is to provide its customers with technology innovation that will help improve the living and working conditions, health and comfort while taking the lead on limiting and reducing the impact on energy consumption. The company focuses on increasing energy efficiency, and manufacturing high-quality durable, and reliable products such as its inverter air-conditioners. In addition, Daikin also uses lower global warming refrigerants to reduce environmental and climate impacts, such as R32.
While the survey stated that only 46 per cent of the UAE residents use an air purifier to breathe clean air, more than half regularly service their air-conditioning system. Air-conditioners actually make an impact as the majority of the people in the region rely on it for increased comfort and to breathe fresh air indoors due to the changing climate.
‘‘It is important for people to understand that servicing and upgrading their air-conditioning system is vital for energy efficiency, prolonged lifespan, improved indoor air quality, enhanced performance, reduced malfunctions and overall comfort and safety of their family,’’ Gulenc adds.
Daikin recently hosted an event entitled “Towards a Sustainable Future”, where it showcased its latest innovative solutions for energy efficiency and IAQ.
The event, which was attended by more than 300 partners and customers of Daikin, also shed light on the UAE’s sustainability goals and how companies can contribute to building a sustainable future.
“As we approach COP28 and mark the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, companies and individuals need to collaborate and contribute equally to the government efforts of decarbonisation. We, at Daikin, being the leading provider of HVAC-R solutions are fully committed to accelerating the transition towards sustainable cooling in the UAE,” said Samer Alawiah, Managing Director at Daikin UAE. “With the cooling systems in the UAE accounting for 60-65 per cent of a building’s total energy consumption, building owners and operators must explore how they can reduce their carbon footprint, but it is also the responsibility of every household member to manage energy efficiently.”
By reducing HVAC energy consumption by 20-25 per cent, customers can save 13-18 per cent of their total energy bills.
Daikin says its hassle-free solutions include Esco models for total HVAC-R system replacement, subscription models for Cooling-as-a-Service, and bespoke models for industrial, commercial, and transport refrigeration. These solutions are designed to suit each customer’s specific needs and come with energy audits, comprehensive maintenance contracts, and remote monitoring solutions as standard, with optional system operations, automation/controls, turnkey solutions, and Daikin-on-Site connectivity (DOS). They are also transparent, with low or no capex.
“Daikin understands the investment that goes into implementing sustainable HVAC-R system design practices, hence we make our solutions energy efficient to save on electricity bills, but initial financing is crucial too. To close the financing gap, we have introduced partners for hassle-free financing, a crucial step to influence and support the decision of adopting sustainable cooling solutions, serving the goal to decarbonise cooling,” Alawiah added.
