Air Conditioning | Ducted HVAC Systems | Polaris Technologies
NEWS
Australian Hydrocarbon HVAC Installation
By Tony Power (Polaris Technologies) , Feb 08, 2020
Natural Refrigerant HVAC Retrofit – A New Way
The redevelopment and modernisation of a building in the leafy suburb of Terry Hills has resulted in possibly Australia greenest building.
The HVAC equipment selected is all powered by natural refrigerants, resulting is a highly efficient systems with Ultra low GWP – a first for Australia. The equipment selected was supplied by Sydney based Polaris Technologies using ducted Hideaway units along with their retrofit Intelligent Series.
Natural refrigerants have a global warming potential of only 3. This compares with toxic chemical refrigerants of GWP from 600 – 2500. Most people don’t realise the serious greenhouse tragedy occurring when chemical refrigerants leak into the atmosphere.
The Site
321 Mona Vale Rd Terry Hills was built by Dick Smith and is the original headquarters for Dick Smiths Australian Geographic. Now occupied by Unisson Disability. The owners wanted to do their best to reduce the impact on climate change and requested low GWP natural refrigerant systems for their upgrade.
The Upgrade
The originally installed equipment were four very old 15 kW R22 packaged units along with four 36 kW ducted R22 split systems. These old systems were very hungry on energy usage and were extreme GWP levels. The contactor chose to install low GWP Polaris systems in keeping with the owners instruction to make the system low impact to the environment. Natural refrigerant (Hydrocarbon) volume in a system is 50% less than the equivalent chemical refrigerant.
The Site
321 Mona Vale Rd Terry Hills was built by Dick Smith and is the original headquarters for Dick Smiths Australian Geographic. Now occupied by Unisson Disability. The owners wanted to do their best to reduce the impact on climate change and requested low GWP natural refrigerant systems for their upgrade.
The Upgrade
The originally installed equipment were four very old 15 kW R22 packaged units along with four 36 kW ducted R22 split systems. These old systems were very hungry on energy usage and were extreme GWP levels. The contactor chose to install low GWP Polaris systems in keeping with the owners instruction to make the system low impact to the environment. Natural refrigerant (Hydrocarbon) volume in a system is 50% less than the equivalent chemical refrigerant.
Ducted Packaged Units
Polaris Technologies Hideaway packaged units were used to replace the old units. The efficiency of Polaris Hydrocarbon units was such that the replacement systems were actually of less capacity than the original units. The Polaris PAC units do not require an outdoor unit and roof line is now very tidy. Hydrocarbon systems can operate up to 60C ambient. The refrigerant will do zero harm to the atmosphere. Chemical refrigerants are known to pollute water sources.
Ducted Split Systems
The existing ducted systems had very large, unsightly outdoor units taking up a lot of space. The indoor air handling units were buried in ceiling space and replacement would have been very disruptive and expensive for the owners.
Polaris Technologies Intelligent Series was an ideal solution. The contractor noted that indoor units were still in excellent condition. Even though the R22 systems usually require complete replacement of pipe work and indoor units, with Polaris this problem was negated. No old equipment went to landfill and no demolition of ceilings meant that no builders rubble was left.
The Intelligent Series 16 kW outdoor units were retro fitted to each stage of cooling, matched to the existing fan coil units. These units are charged with Hydrocarbon M60 refrigerant supplied by Engas, an Australian company. There was no need to replace pipe work because of the inbuilt patented technology of the Polaris Intelligent Series. Energy Savings in excess of 65% have been realised on HVAC and along with Ultra low GWP of just three this is a great way to do reduce our footprint.
Finally a small 5 kW wall mounted split system was installed, this hydrocarbon split system is a Model GR 18 CH SA, 240 volt Inverter M60 refrigerant with cooling capacity of 5.0 kW. The project has been a win both financially for the owners as well as the planet.
Polaris units are engineered in Australia using patented technology and offer two years commercial warranty. No other manufacturer does what Polaris has achieved – the future looks very bright.
Polaris technologies have access to a range of natural refrigerant commercial HVAC systems. From very large 600 kW chillers running on Hydrocarbons down to small commercial packaged units and wall hung split systems. We also partner with low charge Ammonia HVAC systems specialists. Large capacity natural refrigerant HVAC systems have been installed successfully in Australia for many years and outperform at every level, polluting legacy chemical HVAC equipment supplied by the large manufacturers. All Polaris systems do zero harm to our planet with ultra-low GWP and are truly a Low Emission Technology.
The Intelligent Series 16 kW outdoor units were retro fitted to each stage of cooling, matched to the existing fan coil units. These units are charged with Hydrocarbon M60 refrigerant supplied by Engas, an Australian company. There was no need to replace pipe work because of the inbuilt patented technology of the Polaris Intelligent Series. Energy Savings in excess of 65% have been realised on HVAC and along with Ultra low GWP of just three this is a great way to do reduce our footprint.
Finally a small 5 kW wall mounted split system was installed, this hydrocarbon split system is a Model GR 18 CH SA, 240 volt Inverter M60 refrigerant with cooling capacity of 5.0 kW. The project has been a win both financially for the owners as well as the planet.
Polaris units are engineered in Australia using patented technology and offer two years commercial warranty. No other manufacturer does what Polaris has achieved – the future looks very bright.
Polaris technologies have access to a range of natural refrigerant commercial HVAC systems. From very large 600 kW chillers running on Hydrocarbons down to small commercial packaged units and wall hung split systems. We also partner with low charge Ammonia HVAC systems specialists. Large capacity natural refrigerant HVAC systems have been installed successfully in Australia for many years and outperform at every level, polluting legacy chemical HVAC equipment supplied by the large manufacturers. All Polaris systems do zero harm to our planet with ultra-low GWP and are truly a Low Emission Technology.
Technical Information
Polaris Ducted Hideaway Units
Five Polaris 10 kW inverter units were installed to replace five 35 year old Alcair R22 rooftop units. The old units had capacities between 12 kW and 15 kW the Polaris unit efficiency is achieving better results than the old units due to use of The Engas M60 Hydrocarbon refrigerant. These units were connected into existing ductwork so minimum disruption and building works within the building.
Polaris Intelligent Series
The existing ducted split systems were 35 year old R22 Alcair units. Each split systems was 36 kW cooling capacity. The existing air handling units and most of the pipe work were able to be reused due to Polaris patented technology.
The local contractor RCS-Air connected three 10 kW Intelligent Series inverter condensing sets directly to each stage of cooling. This meant that a total of 60 Kw of efficient Hydrocarbon cooling equipment was connected to 72 KW of air handling plant and performance is excellent. With some minor changed to pipework the original cooling only air handlers were changed to reverse cycle systems.
Operation after Commissioning
The systems were commissioned early December and have delivered comfortable 22 C conditions without fail. Ambient temperatures at the site in Sydney have reached up to 45C this summer and the hydrocarbon Engas M 60 refrigerants have just idled through that. Humidity’s in Sydney reached over 80% during the a same period.
The tenant has commented that during start up mode conditions pull down to a comfortable 22C within 30 minutes.
Energy Savings
The old Alcair systems were energy hungry electric heating. Now that the highly efficient reverse cycle Hydrocarbon systems are installed energy savings will be in excess of 65%. These energy savings and simplification of the installation process has resulted in win for the owners and the environment.
Polaris launches new hydrocarbon AC unit
By Andrew Williams, Apr 04, 2019, 01:45 GMT+10 • 2 minute reading
updated at: Apr 06, 2019, 01:31 GMT+10
Polaris Technologies, based in Frenchs Forest, New South Wales, has launched a ducted air-conditioning unit based on natural refrigerant propane (R290) in a hydrocarbon blend.
Polaris Technologies, based in the northern Sydney suburb of Frenchs Forest, New South Wales, has launched a ducted air-conditioning unit based on natural refrigerant propane (R290) in a hydrocarbon blend.
The first units – part of the HideAway Series – were delivered to Australia in March. Sales have already begun, and the first installations were made that same month, in Melbourne and Sydney.
The Polaris HideAway series of air conditioners are ducted packaged units that do not require a separate outdoor unit. “This opens new possibilities for designers and architects who can now dispense with unsightly exterior units,” Tony Power from Polaris told this website.
The refrigerant used is engas M60, a special purpose hydrocarbon refrigerant blend specifically designed to replace R410A. Propane is its primary ingredient.
Hidden Heating and Cooling
Sydney-based Polaris Technologies has launched a new series of ducted packaged units that do not require an outdoor unit.
“This opens new possibilities for designers and architects who can now dispense with unsightly exterior units,” says Polaris.
“The Polaris Hide-Away is hidden away in the roof space. This is ideal for retro-fitting healthcare facilities, apartments, aged care, hotels and heritage buildings where external units (and noise) need to be avoided.
“Commercial buildings can now be zoned using independent multiple small systems. This can negate the need for single air-handling unit complex zoning or VRF installations. Condenser air is ducted from outside the building and simply requires two grilles on the building’s façade.”
There are two types of units: 10kW (410mm high) and 3.5kW (300mm high). Both have been designed to fit into small spaces. The condenser air path utilises acoustic flexible duct for low break-out noise.
The Hide-Away uses M60 refrigerant and has an operating temperature range of -15 to 48°C.
Go to www.polaristechnologies.com.au ■
Original article: Ecolibrium and HVAC&R Nation May 2019
Email: mark.vender@airah.org.au
HideAway units reach Australian shores
By Sandra van Dijk | 9 April 2019
Sydney-based Polaris Technologies, has launched a ducted air-conditioning unit based on natural refrigerant Engas M60 in a hydrocarbon blend.
The first units, which are part of the HideAway Series, were delivered to Australia in March.
Sales have already begun, and the first installations were made that same month, in Melbourne and Sydney.
CCN Articles
Phone: 1300 782 761
sales@polaristechnologies.com.au
www.polaristechnologies.com.au
Polaris Technologies Pty Ltd
Building No. 5
49 Frenchs Forest Road
Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
ABN 32 901 721 809