Temperzone books into
Airport "Hilton"* again.
* The hotel described in the article as the Airport "Hilton" is no longer part of the Hilton Hotel group and is now known as the Sydney Airport Mercure.
When the Airport "Hilton" in Sydney opened its doors 30 years ago, the air conditioning was everything the renowned hotel chain wanted. Compact, quiet and manufactured to the highest standards, the system performed up to expectations from Day One – and it’s still going strong. But sooner or later, even the best equipment needs replacing rather than updating – and once again, Temperzone has reserved its place at the Airport "Hilton".
It’s not often that mechanical equipment is still operational after 30 years – but that’s the case with the air conditioning installed at the Airport "Hilton" three decades ago. “It goes without saying that the system has been maintained and repaired correctly over the course of its life,” explains Temperzone’s NSW Branch Manager Gordon Stewart. He adds, “It’s still a viable proposition because Temperzone can still supply parts when they’re required. Added to this, the equipment was the latest technology available at the time, so it’s held its age well – and can still be repaired by our field service technicians.” Of course, dealing with a specialist air conditioning manufacturer with 53 years industry experience makes all the difference when long-term back-up is put to the test.
Why change the system if it’s still functional?
When assessing the functionality and suitability of their hotel for the coming decades, the hotel's management team identified several aspects of the building for reassessment. Not surprisingly, the 30 year-old air conditioning system was among them.
The new system will be a water cooled system, with a water cooled reticulation system installed, supplying condenser water to each unit. “Like motor vehicle design, air conditioning technology has come a long way since our first system was installed at the Airport "Hilton,” explains Gordon Stewart.
“Just as new cars are quieter and more energy efficient, modern air conditioning equipment has made great strides in these areas since 1979.”
New directions in energy efficiency
Temperzone is a leader in the quest to improve the energy efficiency of air conditioning installations. The company is Australia’s only 2007 MEPS (Minimum Energy Performance Standards) compliant manufacturer of in-ceiling water-cooled package units like those specified at the Airport "Hilton".
Gordon Stewart says that increased energy efficiency is the result of many advances in recent years. “There have been many major improvements in component design,” says Stewart. “The performance and energy efficiency of rotary compressors compared with older reciprocating compressors and the use of more energy efficient motors on fan decks are typical examples. Of course, the new refrigerant gas (R 410A) has also lead to greater efficiencies. When you add it all up, we can now supply units of any given capacity that use less power to run.”
As quiet as a… Temperzone
Pressures for quieter air conditioning equipment in sensitive environments such as the Airport "Hilton" have created special challenges for acoustic engineers. Building on years of investment in research and development, Temperzone offers a range of sound suppression options for both domestic and commercial air conditioning installations. “For example,” says Gordon Stewart, “we have developed high static condenser fans which overcome the difficulties of removing condensed air from equipment located in plant rooms, as well as remote and internalised heat reclaim options for our larger commercial products.”
When the Airport "Hilton"’s initial Temperzone system was installed, rigorous noise testing by an acoustic consultant and comprehensive evaluation of the new equipment’s performance was part of the picture. Gordon Stewart comments that the same applies in 2009. Quieter compressors and improvements in the acoustic attenuation qualities of insulation have all played a part in improving the acoustic capabilities of today’s air conditioning units. “Insulation materials have changed significantly,” says Stewart, “These days there is no fibreglass insulation, because it has been placed by superior closed cell poly foam materials.”
When should you replace rather than repair?
If, like the Airport "Hilton", you are wondering whether to repair or replace your air conditioning system, there are many factors to consider. Repairs may be the least expensive short term option, but installing a new, energy efficient system may be a better long term option in terms of performance and operational cost.
How old is the unit being evaluated… and who supplied it?
The AIRAH handbook estimates the economic life of a large packaged unit as 15 years. But in many cases, that can be a problem. It is sometimes difficult to source genuine replacement parts for equipment that’s only 10 years old, leaving a unit that’s expensive to repair and run. Temperzone, on the other hand, is one of the few manufacturers in Australia that still carries parts for systems more than 20 years old. So choosing the right brand in the first place can have a huge impact down the track.
The condition of the equipment is also important. There is a proven link between effective maintenance and energy efficiency. Gordon Stewart says that properly maintained plant and equipment is not only more reliable and cheaper to run, but also more energy efficient. “Poorly maintained equipment grows old before its time,” he says.
Another consideration is down time during repair. Many businesses can’t afford the kind of down time involved if parts can’t be supplied from stock. Old equipment can also absorb too much of the operator’s time coordinating maintenance.
“When your air conditioning has become inefficient, unreliable and expensive to run, it’s definitely time to look at replacement...”
If you would like to know about following the Airport "Hilton’s" example and install a new air conditioning system, Temperzone’s sales offices and technical support team are happy to help contractors, service companies and consulting engineers make the right decision on replacing or repairing existing systems.
