A high efficiency air conditioning system from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is keeping the heat out of a busy kitchen at the Mugen Japanese restaurant in the City of London. Investing in a new MHI Inverter Multi Split System was more cost-effective than repairing the kitchen’s five-year old air con unit, particularly in the light of the forthcoming ban on R22 refrigerant used in many older systems. Choosing one of the latest MHI split systems, which utilise eco-friendly R410a, also meant that existing pipework and wiring could be used - minimising cost and disruption for the restaurant.

Mugen combines the best of traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine and offers diners the choice of relaxing at a table or sitting at the sushi bar for ‘fast food’ with an oriental twist. When the kitchen’s existing air conditioning system broke down, the restaurant’s owner called in London-based air conditioning specialists, Melba Refrigeration.

As the parts required to repair the old R22 unit were no longer available, Melba’s MD, David Barreto, put forward the benefits of investing in a new, fully warranted replacement system from MHI. “By installing modern, more reliable and energy efficient equipment, the restaurant can reduce its maintenance liability and operating costs,” he says. Replacing its old R22 system ahead of the ban on the ozone depleting refrigerant was another benefit for the restaurant. Virgin R22 will be banned for maintenance and servicing refrigeration and air conditioning systems after 31 December 2009, and all HCFCs, including recycled R22, will be made illegal from January 2015.

More details are on www.MitsubishiR22.co.uk.

Melba Refrigeration has installed an FD Series Multi Split System from MHI in the restaurant kitchen, sourced through distributor FM Air Conditioning. The compact FDC125VN outdoor unit is located in the loading bay behind the restaurant and has a cooling range of 5.0kW to 12.5kW and heating up to 16.0kW, if required. The unit is connected to a slim profile FDT125V 4-way cassette indoor unit, designed by MHI for all-round air distribution and quieter operation than previous models. The FD is supplied as standard with a wired remote controller (RC-E3) featuring a 7-day/24-hour programmable timer.

An ideal solution for commercial applications such as restaurants, clubs, offices and retail units, MHI’s FD Multi Split Systems feature a cutting edge inverter controlled compressor that adjusts automatically to meet the precise demands of the indoor unit to save energy and reduce temperature fluctuations. MHI has also applied its advanced design technology to improve heat exchanger efficiency, enhance heat transfer properties and reduce refrigerant requirements - resulting in an impressive CoP (Coefficient of Performance) rating of 3.71.

A faulty motor bearing led to timely replacement of the aged R22 air conditioning system for a hospital server room with a new inverter split system from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), quickly installed on existing pipework. Unable to procure a replacement for the ageing bearing, Air Conditioning Economics (ACE) recommended that the Evington Centre in Leicester should take the opportunity to beat the R22 ban and install a new R410a system instead.

The Evington Centre, next to Leicester General Hospital, is a purpose built hospital providing inpatient and day hospital services for the assessment and treatment of older people with mental health problems. The £9 million hospital for the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust was opened in 2001 with 80 beds across four wards. It can also accommodate 40 day patients.

Alan Ball, Operations Manager for ACE, says the R22 replacement was a sensible choice.

"Spare parts for the old, non-inverter system were a problem and the indoor fan motor bearing was faulty,” he says. “And with the ban on virgin R22 for servicing after 31 December 2009 and a total ban on R22 from the end of 2014, the system’s days were already numbered.”

ACE installed a heat pump split system from MHI’s Ecolution range, sourced through distributor 3D Air Sales Ltd. It used existing pipework which was in a good condition and met the required specification.

“As a result, we were able to save costs for the client and complete the installation with minimal disruption in the server room – the pipework would otherwise have been very difficult to replace. I would certainly recommend this solution again, provided it saves time and costs for the client.” Before carrying out the installation, ACE engineers completed a training module specifically for ‘Installing MHI R410a onto existing R22 pipelines’.

The half-day course is run free of charge by 3D Air and HRP at the Technical Centre in Slough, at any HRP Service Centre or, by arrangement, at installers’ premises.

MHI Sales Manager David Lettis says Mitsubishi Heavy’s high efficiency Ecolution splits can be installed in place of most makes of old R22 indoor and outdoor units – without the need for new pipework or wiring. Using new MHI units on existing pipe runs is almost certainly the most cost-effective solution for dealing with the new refrigerant legislation, but engineers should check details on www.MitsubishiR22.co.uk.

Since 2004, when it pioneered high efficiency R410a split systems as an alternative, MHI has consistently underlined the benefits of the new technology which include higher CoP (Coefficient of Performance) ratings, enhanced heat transfer properties, reduced refrigerant requirements and reduced energy consumption – up to 38% less than older models.

Two leading retail chains are reaping the financial benefits of replacing their old, inefficient R22 air conditioning units with new high efficiency inverter systems from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), supplied through 3D Air Sales Ltd. A refit of selected Oasis fashion stores and Vision Express opticians has provided an ideal opportunity to replace equipment that uses the ozone-depleting R22 refrigerant ahead of the forthcoming ban.

Virgin HCFC is banned for maintenance and servicing refrigeration and air conditioning systems after 31 December 2009, and all HCFCs, including recycled R22, will be illegal from January 2015. MHI air conditioning technology utilises the environmentally-friendly refrigerant R410a, which has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP). The latest MHI systems also have much better heat transfer properties, reduced refrigerant requirements and reduced energy consumption – up to 38% less than older models.

Air Conditioning Economics (ACE) in Derby has installed new MHI R410a inverter climate control systems in a number of Oasis and Vision Express outlets. ACE Director Ian Adams says more and more companies are recognising the need to act now to ensure they comply with the new legislation. “And by converting to more energy efficient systems they can cut electricity costs and take advantage of Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs). Investing in new, more reliable, warranted equipment will also reduce their maintenance liability,” he says.

In addition to these benefits, new MHI equipment can usually be installed on existing pipe runs, making it a highly cost-effective conversion option. Ian Adams continues, “At the Vision Express in Dudley’s Merryhill Shopping Centre, we were able to replace the old R22 air conditioning units with new R410a models from MHI’s FD inverter range of split systems without the need for new pipework, so minimising cost and disruption for the client.”

Before carrying out these installations, ACE engineers completed a training module specifically for ‘Installing MHI R410a on to existing R22 pipelines’. The half-day course is run free of charge by 3D Air and HRP at the Technical Centre in Slough, any HRP Service Centre or, by arrangement, at installers’ premises.

Aurora Fashions, the company behind the Oasis fashion brand, has invested in new MHI inverter systems to replace R22 units when refitting a number of stores. The decision was a “no brainer” says Mike Shearwood, Chief Executive of Aurora Fashions. He comments, “We’re making the phase-out of our old R22 equipment work for us by tapping into financial incentives and making energy savings. This makes good business sense as well as being kinder to the environment.”

MHI offers a range of high efficiency R410a air conditioning solutions to meet the new refrigerant legislation. All feature energy efficient inverter controls which adjust scroll compressor output to meet the exact demands of the indoor units. Efficient control of refrigerant temperature, pressure and flow rates is achieved through new sensors at points throughout the system, with overall efficiency increased through new compressor and fan design.

In most replacement applications, MHI’s new R410a units may be installed on existing R22 pipework, but specifiers and installers should check with MHI. As a starting point, more information and advice about the new refrigerant legislation is now available at MHI’s new dedicated R22 website www.MitsubishiR22.co.uk.