Air conditioning is one of the 20 greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century, according to research conducted by the National Academy of Engineering. And its roots go back to 1902, when American engineer Willis Haviland Carrier invented the first modern air conditioning system.
Air conditioning has come on a long way since then, with huge advances in vapour compression, diagnostics and controls, electronic sensors, materials and energy efficiency. And we are seeing them appear in more settings and locations today than our industry’s pioneers could ever have imagined.
Traditionally, air conditioning units were designed to be installed at ground-level with an outdoor unit, containing the compressor, condenser coil and expansion coil, and an indoor unit, comprising a cooling coil, a blower and an air filter.
But if space is tight at ground level, air conditioning units in the form of rooftop units (RTUs) can be neatly fitted up on the roof.
An effective use of space
RTUs are self-contained units that, once connected to ductwork, provide a defined route for delivery of conditioned air into the occupied space.
RTUs are particularly popular for retail, logistics, and other commercial applications because they are small and compact, and easy and cost-effective to install. Since all the components are enclosed within the unit, they free up valuable ground space for other purposes, allowing every square foot of internal and external space to be utilised.
Installation on the roof, coupled with optimised design, helps to minimise the intrusion of unwanted noise within the building as any sound emitted stays outside.
One of our latest ranges of RTUs, the Vectios™ on R-454B is as space-saving and quiet-running as the acclaimed previous generation. The units feature double wall insulated panels and electronic axial fans for low noise levels.
Built with the environment in mind
The Vectios™ range includes two versions, Vectios™ and the VectiosPowerTM, both operate on lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant R-454B, designed for optimum energy efficiency.
With a GWP of 466, R-454B's overall carbon footprint is more than 80% lower than HFC R-410A, the refrigerant commonly used in older RTUs. The combination of lower GWP, improved seasonal efficiency and reduced refrigerant charge with the new VectiosTM enables end-users to significantly reduce their carbon footprint by replacing high GWP R-410A-based RTUs.
Our Vectios™ units also make excellent use of the outdoor climate to heat and cool buildings and are available in cooling capacities from 23 to 91kW and heating capacities from 22 to 90kW. In addition, our VectiosPowerTMmodel further extends our range with cooling capacities from 98 to 273kW and heating capacities from 97 to 300kW.
As well as a significantly reduced environmental impact, the units also deliver higher efficiencies and lower operating costs for end users. With energy prices rising sharply, this is a crucial issue for customers.
Advanced indoor air quality options available on VectiosTM, such as high-efficiency filtration, fine airflow control and CO2 sensors, support the highest levels of comfort and wellbeing, and align with our #CIAT4life initiative to create healthier indoor environments.
Our equipment performance is certified under the Eurovent scheme, giving end users complete confidence in the cooling and heating capacities, airflow and efficiency claimed. In addition, VectiosTM and VectiosPowerTM – in both refrigerant versions – were the first rooftop units registered under the internationally recognised Ecopassport® program, which is based on the ISO 14025 Environmental Product Declaration standard.
Together, the VectiosTM and VectiosPowerTM R-454B ranges represent one of the largest offerings with the new refrigerant from a single manufacturer. VectiosTM units on R-454B also support Carrier’s 2030 Environmental, Social and Governance goals to reduce our carbon footprint by more than one gigaton.
To find out more about our new range of VectiosTM rooftop air conditioning units, please visit the product page on the new-look CIAT website: www.ciat.com/en/eu/products-systems/rooftop-units-and-packaged-systems/rooftop-units/vectios-r-454b.
