The fresh-up operation of the HRV.
Compact HRV unit ensures clean air
Daikin says that its HRV system recovers heat energy lost through ventilation and holds down room temperature changes, thereby maintaining a comfortable and clean environment.
01 July 2004
Abbar and Zainy, an exclusive dealer of Daikin air-conditioning systems in Saudi Arabia, says that the new VAM-FJ series offers several features that make it one of the most compact and energy efficient HRV (heat reclaim ventilation) systems available worldwide.
The new VAM-FJ series – nine models of which have been launched – is 30 per cent smaller than conventional models and yet incorporates the same performance and functions, says a spokesman. “In addition, the combined use of total heat exchange mode, linked operation with an air-conditioner, and pre-heat/pre-cool control, has helped achieve a total 28 per cent reduction in air-conditioning load,” he says.
Daikin’s HRV (heat reclaim ventilation) technology recovers heat energy lost through ventilation and holds down room temperature changes caused by ventilation, thereby maintaining a comfortable and clean environment and bringing about substantial savings, says the spokesman.
“The HRV system also curbs the load on the air-conditioning system and conserves energy. In addition, the HRV is interlocked to Daikin’s VRV (variable refrigerant volume) system, SkyAir and other air-conditioning systems and automatically switches over ventilation mode, further increasing the effects of energy conservation,” he adds.
The HRV operation has been centralised on the air-conditioner’s remote controller, allowing total control over air-conditioning and ventilation with a simple configuration.
New HEP element
The size reduction of the new models has been achieved through the use of a newly-developed high efficiency paper (HEP) in the heat exchange element and the optimised design of the fan and the airflow passages, says the spokesman.
“The HEP has superior moisture-absorption and humidifying properties. This heat exchange unit speedily recovers heat contained in latent heat (vapour). Its volume has been reduced significantly while maintaining the same heat recovery efficiency.
“The HEP element employs a material with superior flame-resistant properties; it is treated with an anti-moulding agent and has been safety-certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the US,” says the spokesman.
HRV for efficiency
Daikin’s new systems also include several features that have been significant improvements over its earlier models. The auto-ventilation mode changeover allows the automatic switching on to the ventilation mode (total heat exchange mode/bypass mode) according to the operating status of the air conditioner.
The pre-cool, pre-heat control, reduces air-conditioning load by not running the HRV while air is still clean soon after the air-conditioner is turned on.
Adds the spokesman: “Owing to its simple design and construction, maintenance and heat exchange element replacement can be performed on the units with ease through a single 450-mm square inspection aperture. The units can also be installed upside down according to the requirements of the location.”
With the HRV system, the user can select between two fresh-up modes using the remote controller – the supply rich mode or the exhaust rich mode.
The former raises the air supply to maintain proper room pressure and thus prevents back-flow of toilet/kitchen odours or moisture inflow, while in the latter raising exhaust air decreases room pressure to prevent the leaking of odours or floating bacteria into other rooms, says the spokesman.
Conventional total heat exchange units, which are independently operated using a dedicated remote controller, are directly connected by a duct. This can cause dust to fall from the air filter of the indoor unit when the air-conditioner is switched off. But in the case of HRV systems, even when the HRV is operating independently, the fan in an interlocked indoor unit continues turning, preventing dust to fall off from the air filter.
In addition, the remote controller also alerts the user when the air filter needs cleaning, he says.
SkyAir ceiling mounted cassette-type air-conditioning systems come with three types of fresh air intake kits which allow intake of fresh air from the outdoors – including two chamber types (without the T joint pipe and fan and with the T joint pipe and without fan); and the direct installation type.
Both chamber types require an inspection port for maintenance access. The kit with the T joint pipe is intended for dual intake duct installation only, with the other type allows single intake duct installation.
In case of the direct installation type of air intake kits, the fresh air intake kit may or may not be usable depending on the ceiling structure and the use of other optional items.
Says the spokesman, using the optional accessories produces an even higher level of comfort. When neither heating nor cooling is required, fresh air can be circulated by using only the fan. This is especially useful in buildings in which ventilation fans cannot be installed.
The air-conditioning system also offers the branch duct chamber option, which in addition to discharging air from the outlet on the decoration panel, allows the connection of a duct to the air-conditioner itself for an additional discharge outlet. The additional discharge outlet is useful for areas that tend to be crowded or near doors or windows where the temperature is affected by the outside temperature, says the spokesman.
Other optional features include a PC board adaptor for heater control kit and a direct expansion coil unit.
In cold climes, which require the installation of an electric heater, a PC board adaptor with an internal timer function eliminates the complicated timer connecting work that was necessary with conventional heaters, says the spokesman.
The direct expansion coil functions to heat or cool the supply air out from the HRV to make the outlet air temperature as close to the room temperature as possible to maintain comfort.
Daikin, which started operations more than 80 years ago, has been at the forefront of innovation – offering high quality products that provide customers a complete range of air conditioning solutions.
Abbar and Zainy has been in the Saudi market for over 20 years, selling, providing after sales service and spare parts of Daikin equipment. The firm deals with the whole range of Daikin products that include: split units (wall mounted, floor mounted, cassette and ceiling suspended); inverter, energy saving plus higher level of comfort for living; duct connections (low static pressure, middle static pressure and high static pressure); package units (heat pump/cooling only); twin and triple multi-application; multi-indoor units system on one outdoor unit (VRV), reaching up to a maximum of 24 indoor units; advanced air conditioning control system (intelligent manager); HRV and chilled water system (chiller).
Abbar and Zainy has put in place a wide network of eight branches – all of which offer sales and after-sales services – which are handled from its headquarters in Jeddah. The other branches are in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh (regional office for central area), Qassim, Al Kharj, Dammam (regional office eastern area); and Al Hasa.
