Air-conditioners are becoming easier to use, maintain and operate, thanks to new intelligent control technology that also helps boost their efficiency, says Abbar & Zainy Electric and Air Conditioning Company of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi trader, which is the sole agent for Daikin air-conditioners in the kingdom, is promoting market awareness of the manufacturer's latest hi-tech integrated control networks for its range of ACs.

"Daikin is a top Japanese AC manufacturer, which has been at the forefront of the industry over 75 years," explains Abbar & Zainy general manager Toshiki Hayashi, who is also Daikin's chief representative for the kingdom.

"One of its newest technological developments is a range of intelligent controllers designed to control and operate an entire network of air-conditioners, either through touch-panel displays or a computer."

For its air-conditioners, Daikin offers four network control solutions: the Intelligent Touch Controller, the Intelligent Manager, AIRNET and DS-net.

Elaborating on the systems, Hayashi continues: "The Intelligent Touch Controller is designed to offer easy control for small and medium buildings.

"Its touch-panel display does not require a PC and provides easy monitoring and control of up to 10 outdoor units and 64 indoor units. This includes schedule control based on an annual calendar, the ability to proportionately calculate each individual tenant's electricity bills, and automatic monitoring via the AIRNET system.

"Building owners will benefit from better building management, and tenants will be satisfied with the comfortable environment the system provides."

The Intelligent Manager is a sophisticated management system that provides 24-hour remote monitoring and control of up to 160 outdoor units and 1,024 indoor units without the need for a special control room. It offers the same facilities of the touch controller with the added feature of an emergency stop control in case of a fire.

"AIRNET is a 24-hour online monitoring service that increases the quality of periodic inspection and maintenance. Local service centres are informed immediately if a malfunction occurs in an AC. Plus, as AIRNET eliminates the need for on-site troubleshooting, technicians can travel to the site to perform repairs before the tenants are even aware of the problem," says Hayashi.

"The monitoring system also helps detect parts that are approaching the end of their service lives so they can be replaced before any malfunctions occur. Reliable, periodic inspections will ensure that ACs perform at their best and deliver energy-saving benefits and AIRNET supports this by providing engineers with valuable diagnostic information.

"DS-net is a centralised Windows-based PC system designed to control up to 50 stores in a mall or shopping complex while maintaining cost-efficiency and keeping both tenants and customers satisfied.

"It offers the facility of remote control through a public telephone, while start, stop and sequential start facilities eliminate any chance of starting the air-conditioning too early or switching it off too late. Also the control of a set temperature prevents the air-conditioning from becoming too hot or cold. Its ability to control up to 50 adaptors, with each adaptor connected to up to three units, makes it ideal for chain stores."

As part of its market awareness drive, Abbar & Zainy highlighted the benefits of these control systems to consultants, contractors and HVAC engineers at a seminar in Riyadh, earlier this year. The event attracted as many as 250 industry professionals.