Panel Discussion: Moving Towards Energy Standards

Emerson Climate Technologies organized a panel discussion with the theme: “Moving towards Energy Standards” last November 24 at the Fairmount Dubai Hotel. This dialogue aims to overcome the issues on setting standards in air-conditioning systems as well as to build consensus among the players in the air conditioning industry in the Middle East.

The discussion was supported by the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) led by Mr. Stephen Yurek – President, AHRI – USA . The discussion was attended by esteemed guests of regulatory bodies such Mr. Nabil Ameen Molla, Governor – Saudi Arabia Standard Organization (SASO), and Mr. Kamal M. Azayem Mechanical Engineering expert, Dubai Municipality (DM). Key air-conditioning manufacturers such as Carrier, York, SKM, Zamil other contractors also attended the event.

The evening was hosted by Mr. K. Jayakumar, Director – Sales & Marketing, Emerson Climate Technologies, who opened the discussions by emphasizing the need and importance of setting energy standards. Meanwhile, Mr. Yurek introduced AHRI as an organization develops standards and certifies the performance of HVAC&R products in the US and in other countries. AHRI extended its support to initiate standards in air-conditioning systems in the region.

The key manufacturers of A/C systems registered valuable inputs discussing the following key areas of concern: • There is a need to have a clear definition of energy standards, whether these are for air-conditioning equipments or the systems including ducts and pipeline. • Rating/testing conditions have to be defined in GCC as per the ambient temperature in the Middle East • Regulatory bodies should determine the standards to be adopted in the region. • Regulatory bodies should facilitate in detail the implementation and certification of these programs.

(From left) Mr. K.Jayakumar, Director – Sales & Marketing, Emerson Climate Technologies; Mr. Kamal M. Azayem, Mechanical Engineering expert – Dubai Municipality; Mr. Stephen Yurek, President – AHRI (USA) and; Mr. Nabil Ameen Molla, Governor – SASO were present in the panel discussion to talk about various issues in the region’s A/C industry.

The discussion concluded in the sharing of best practices that could be adopted in the region with regards to setting energy standards. Regulatory bodies such as SASO and the DM, as well as AHRI and the participating manufacturers, provided valuable inputs in the dialogue.