HVAC&R BEST PRACTICES

FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Presented by
Mr. Sagar Kulkarni
LEED AP, WELL AP, PQP, CEM, CEA
Managing Director, CEC
Need for Best Practices
Energy-efficiency is the cornerstone of sustainability

In the current scenario, unchecked use of energy is leading to a rapid increase in global
temperature

According to the Key World Energy Statistics Report, 2017 published by the IEA, Kuwait has one
of the highest per capita rates of electricity consumption 14951 kWh/capita/annum

As a member of the COP21 Agreement, substantial efforts need to be made to reduce energy
consumption and meet the requirements for reduction of carbon emissions

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Overview of Energy Consumption
According to the Annual Statistics Report published by DEWA, the Residential sector was
responsible for about 74% of the total energy consumed in Dubai, in 2016
79% of the total electricity consumed in residential applications was for cooling and air
conditioning systems
Annual energy end-use distribution
for a typical villa
Source: KAPSARC analysis

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Electricity Consumption by HVAC Systems in Middle East
Nearly 58% of the total energy is consumed by
HVAC systems.

However, the adverse climatic conditions of the

Middle East makes use of HVAC systems
imperative, especially in summer

The peak power demand in summer in the

region is nearly thrice the peak power demand
in the other months

Implementation of HVAC Best Practices

contributes directly to energy conservation and
hence, improved sustainability
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METHODOLOGIES TO REDUCE HVAC
CONSUMPTION
Implementing the Sustainability Principle

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1. Ensure Detailed Engineering (Avoid Thumb Rules)
Ensure Detailed Engineering Calculations and
use of the appropriate software.

Thumb rules are a yardstick for measurement

but should not be considered absolute

Selection of correct unit for application i.e. DX,

VRF, Package, Chillers, Evaporative Cooling etc.

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2. Appropriate Orientation of Glazing in Buildings (REDUCE)

Ensure glazing between East and North West

Orientation of glazing in buildings in a way to

obtain maximum natural light and ventilation

No additional cost

Energy savings up to 15%

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3. Use of Air Curtains to Seal Building Envelope (REDUCE)

Air curtains reduce thermal exchange

through an opening in the building envelope

Lack of transmission of ambient heat to the

interior of the building reduces load on the
air-conditioning system

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 Consider the example of power consumption in a mall with and
without the use of an air curtain:
Door dimensions: 3m x 3m

Average no. of people visiting the Mall = 3000 per day

Case 1: No Air curtain

Total Energy Consumed = Net energy Consumption

+ Energy Consumed due to Heat Infiltration

= 307 kWh/day

Case 2: With Air Curtain

Total Energy Consumed = 120 kWh/day

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4. Appropriate Selection of Material (REDUCE)
CASE STUDY FOR U - VALUE
Selection of
S.No Description Units CASE 01 CASE 02 CASE 03

appropriate material 1 U-External Wall W/m2.0C 0.567 0.43 0.3

2 U-Roof W/m2.0C 0.44 0.3 0.2

to optimize the heat
3 U-Glass W/m2.0C 3.3 2.1 1.7

transfer co-efficient 4 Shading Co-Efficient - 0.4 0.4 0.29

5 Air Conditioning area m2 59110 59110 59110

reduces the load on 6 Total Load (KW) KWR 8711 8156 7750

HVAC system 7 Sensible Load (KW) KWR 7798 7243 6837.4

8 Air flow rate (L/S) L/s 613212 584306 545978

9 External heat gain Load KWR 1841.9 1559 1180.1

10 Power Consumption kW 1758.6 1646.5 1564.6

11 Load ratio W/m2 147.4 138.0 131.1

12 Saving of electrical power in Case I & II % 6.4%

13 Saving of electrical power in Case I & III % 11%

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5. Use of FAHU with Heat Recovery System (RECYCLE)
Case 1: Conventional FAHU with cooling coil only.
Case 2: FAHU with dual heat recovery wheels.

Difference between Power Input = 197.5 159.3 = 38.2 kW

Total Savings in Annual Power Consumption = 267,705.6 kWh
Total Savings = 120,000 AED; Payback period 6 months
Total savings = 40,155.84 KD; Payback Period 1.5 yrs
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6. Directing the Extracted Air on Condensing Units (REUSE)

Directing the extracted air over condensing

units for improved condenser performance.

As the ambient is cooled down in

surrounding area of condenser; the
condensing temperature is brought down.

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7. Use of Inverter-Based Compressor
Inverter-based compressors have a small variation band
Power consumption is reduced due to lack of multiple start stops

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8. Use of Equipment Having High COP/EER

Better the COP, lesser the energy wasted

Use of equipment having a high energy

rating can reduce nearly 7-8% of the total
energy consumption

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9. Use of VFD for Pumps and Fans
Use of variable frequency drives can
reduce energy losses by nearly 40%
Soft-start and soft-stop motors help
to avoid surge in voltage for AC
motors, improving service life

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10. Precise Installation

Leak proof construction

Proper sealing of ducts and pipes during

construction

Replace temporary filters after pre-commissioning

Enough flushing of air during commissioning to

remove VOC (Volatile organic compounds)

Commissioning by qualified agencies

Use of leak detection systems

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 11. Regular Maintenance
Air Filter Clean Filters to remove dirt buildup

Refrigerant - Make sure there is a appropriate Refrigerant

pressure is maintained.

Air vents - Make sure there is nothing blocking the air flow

Coil Cleaning - Remove dirt from coils on condenser and

evaporator

Drafts and Leaks Have central air ducts cleaned yearly

for proper air flow
Insulate pipes, caulking windows and doors

Moving parts Lubricating moving parts to work

efficiently and easily

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Residential Project in Dubai

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Residential Project in Dubai
Project Overview

Total area: 125, 090 sq. m.

Function: Mixed Use Commercial & Residential

No. of Buildings: 4

Structural layout: Tower 01 and Tower 04 (3B+G+28),

Tower 02 and Tower 03 (3B+G+20)

Key Goals:

Implement Green Building Requirements in Design

Maximize energy efficiency

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Residential Project: Measures Implemented for Optimizing Energy Efficiency

75% of roof area insulated by material having solar reflective index 78

Orientation of 50% of the building as 150 degrees northwest from east for maximum natural lighting and
ventilation
Centralized Fresh Air Handling Units with Duel Heat Recovery Wheels used to treat fresh air provided to all
areas.
Apartments designed for optimal thermal and acoustic comfort as per regulations
Use of thermal bridges to reduce flow of external heat into the building
Airlocked lobbies with air curtains at entrances and exits to prevent loss of air
Use of centrifugal water-cooled chillers with high EER
VFD driven Secondary chilled water pumps.
Use of Treated Waste Water for make up of the Cooling Tower.
VFD Fans for Cooling Tower
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 Impact on Energy Conservation
14% energy savings with respect to green building standards, with proposed building design
Approximate energy savings with respect to normal buildings = 30%

Tower/Heat Total Electric

Lights Equipment Cooling Pump/Aux Fans Ext. Lights Ext. Equipment Total Energy
Reject Cost
Alternative
Kwh/Annum $/Annum

Base Case 0 deg 4,662,322 1,998,103 6,322,032 0 0 1,093,588 4,380 131,400 14,211,825 1,458,133

Base Case 90 deg 4,662,322 1,998,103 6,145,014 0 0 1,056,959 4,380 131,400 13,998,178 1,436,213

Base Case 180 deg 4,662,322 1,998,103 6,280,888 0 0 1,076,308 4,380 131,400 14,153,401 1,452,139

Base Case 270 deg 4,662,322 1,998,103 6,225,238 0 0 1,074,068 4,380 131,400 14,095,511 1,446,199

Base Case 4,662,322 1,998,103 6,243,293 0 0 1,075,231 4,380 131,400 14,114,729 1,448,171

Proposed Case 4,329,434 1,998,103 3,919,035 407,524 351,260 1,018,134 4,380 131,400 12,159,270 1,247,541

Preliminary Energy savings 14

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Sustainable Buildings

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The Future of Sustainable Buildings
Use of Occupancy Sensors

Use of high Surface Reflective Index materials

Use of Thermal Bridge

Use of evaporative cooling in areas having low Wet Bulb Temperature

Use of Condensate Drain water

Proper insulation for Ducting & Piping (BS 5422 )

Proper Installation (No Duct Leakages, proper Flushing, Commissioning by experts etc)

Proper Maintenance (Engineered maintenance team, monitoring regular performance etc.)

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 Move Away from
Verification and Compliance
to
Performance Based
Specifications

#Dubai Building Index

#Kuwait Building Index

THANK YOU

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