HVAC Trends 2024: An Air Conditioning Engineer’s Perspective

Air conditioning units are seen as staple features of many commercial and industrial buildings. From keeping staff and customers cool in the hot summer months to keeping them warm in the midst of winter, many people require HVAC installations to create an optimally comfortable environment.

Of course, just as the rest of the technological world, HVAC technology is ever-evolving. We’re seeing new trends emerge that will change the way HVAC units and companies operate for the foreseeable future. So, which of these can we expect to see in 2024, and what do they entail?

Read on as we tell all, updating you on the progressive evolution of HVAC technology, with reference to how we here at Ian Hobbs Technical Services adapt and innovate when it comes to creating effective and modern air conditioning solutions tailored to our clients.

What Are the Upcoming Trends in Aircon Installation?

With 2024 officially here, it’s time to look at the year ahead and predict the advancements we may see in HVAC technology. As an air conditioning company, we’re always looking to keep up to date with the latest news and trends in the industry, so here is what we think we’ll be seeing more of in the upcoming months.

Improved Connectivity

As with many appliances, we believe there will be large improvements in connectivity features linked to air conditioning units in 2024. Just as we see with modern heating systems, smart devices like smart thermostats, smart meters and sensors are starting to be incorporated into both domestic and commercial HVAC systems.

Incorporating these devices with HVAC technology not only offers the ability to connect all systems within a building, but allows them to then be remotely monitored and controlled from a single interface. There is even potential for these systems to be adjusted at various levels throughout different areas of the building to respond to changing temperature conditions, such as direct sunlight from outside the building.

Predictive Maintenance

The integration of the aforementioned systems into HVAC technologies means we may also see an increase in predictive maintenance measures. As well as generating real-time information on temperature, humidity and airflow, these systems have the ability to identify energy consumption patterns, which in turn helps it predict potential problems before they actually occur.

This allows technicians to schedule proactive maintenance, minimising downtime and avoiding costly repairs while they address potential malfunctions and optimise system performance.

Eco-Friendly Systems

Like many others, the HVAC industry is always looking for ways it can improve and implement green initiatives. With that in mind, there is sure to be a rise in eco-friendly air conditioning systems over the course of the next year.

Currently, there are two main focuses in this regard: energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. A type of system that addresses both of these, and one we think will see increased adoption rates over the next year, is the air source heat pump.

Air source heat pumps effectively draw hot air from the outside (cooling it down through the use of a refrigerant), pass it through a compressor (this changes it from a cold gas to a hot liquid), then transfers the hot liquid to your radiators or underfloor heating. This process also works in reverse when using an air-to-air heat pump, meaning they can cool a hot room.

These systems boast many benefits. Firstly, they use renewable energy, meaning they offer a low carbon solution to achieving optimum temperature comfort levels in your building. They are also up to three to four times more efficient than a traditional gas boiler, meaning less energy is being consumed.

They also offer lower long-term running costs, which is especially favourable given the high energy costs currently being faced throughout the country.

Reduced HFC Production

Following on from the incorporation of more green solutions, this includes the reduction of the use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. Although they were made to replace ozone-depleting substances, many if not most HFCs are potent greenhouse gases that, even in relatively small amounts, contribute significantly to global warming.

There is pressure, then, for the HVAC industry to adopt the use of alternative refrigerants with a lower environmental impact. This could include natural refrigerants, such as carbon dioxide, ammonia, water, air or hydrocarbons (HCs), which all have zero depletion potential and don’t form persistent wastes, since they are part of natural biogeochemical cycles.

Utilising 3D Printing

The potential applications of 3D printing continue to evolve across a range of industries. The HVAC industry is no exception; such technology allows for the precise and efficient production of complex parts – particularly ducting components. This can in turn reduce the production of waste, as well as lower production costs.

On top of that, 3D printing offers itself as an ideal solution for producing custom parts that respond directly to customer needs. Since these can be produced on demand, this reduces the need for larger inventories, reduces wait times and allows more customers to receive the HVAC solutions best suited to their needs and suitably incorporated into their building design.

How Do Ian Hobbs Technical Services Create Innovative Solutions?

Here at Ian Hobbs Technical Services, we always strive to achieve dedicated solutions tailored to each of our customers. This is evidenced through the previous work we’ve completed. One case study in particular that showcases our efforts is the work we completed for Platinum Motor Group, the leading car dealership in the South-West.

They approached us with a proposal to replace the heating and cooling air conditioning equipment throughout their Nissan, Renault, Vauxhall and Toyota dealerships in Trowbridge. The existing units had been causing daily issues; not only were the compressors requiring regular replacement (which proved to be very costly), the communication between the separate pieces of equipment was also malfunctioning, with the units only working on either heating or cooling only mode.

To approach this, we first decommissioned, removed and disposed of all the existing equipment, including all the pipe-work, interconnecting and all ancillary equipment associated with the existing installation. We then installed a completely brand new system.

This new system consisted of a City Multi Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system. This system offers simultaneous heating and cooling by distributing surplus heat from cooling operations (and vice versa) to rooms where it’s needed. This efficiency can result in energy savings of up to 30% over conventional systems, meaning we helped this client cut their running costs whilst meeting their temperature control requirements.

We also fitted an AE-200E central controller at each site, which utilises a large, back-lit display to enable the control of temperature, fan speed and airflow options. It also provides comprehensive energy consumption monitoring and comparisons with the previous year’s power consumption. This allows the staff at the sites to easily view and control the temperature according to their comfort, whilst Platinum Motor Group can monitor their energy consumption with consideration for their environmental policies and objectives.

One of the biggest challenges we found with this installation is that it had to be carried out whilst the sites continued to operate as normal. We were able to do so with minimum disruption, so that Platinum Motor Group could carry on with business as normal.

Having been impressed with the first-class job we did for them, Platinum Motor Group continues to rely on our services. Having undertaken a maintenance contract agreement, they rely on us to maintain and service their air conditioning installation.

Get in Touch

Are you looking for a reliable aircon installer? Here at Ian Hobbs Technical Services, we understand the importance of a comfortable working environment, which is why we’re proud to provide the highest quality aircon installation for businesses throughout the South-West.

Rest assured that our experienced air conditioning engineers will find a solution tailored to your needs, using only the best products and carrying out work with the utmost professionalism.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements.