Demand for energy efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems is increasing, says air-conditioning manufacturer Daikin South Africa.

Segment manager for industrial and refrigeration products Ian Roelofse says expanding middle-class populations in developing economies and stricter environmental regulations are contributing to this surge.

“There is particularly strong demand for energy efficient systems that can deliver reliable performance in challenging climates,” he states, adding that developing countries’ governments are also increasingly incentivising the adoption of greener technologies.

The company has been advancing lower global warming potential refrigerants, such as R-32, which offer lower environmental impact and improved energy efficiency, compared with previous refrigerants such as R-410A.

It supports customers and contractors through technical guidance, training initiatives and regulatory compliance support to assist with refrigerant transitions.

Roelofse adds that building owners and contractors face several challenges when replacing older refrigerants, including compatibility issues with existing infrastructure and higher upfront costs.

Retrofitting systems often requires redesign work, pipework modifications and technician retraining, particularly when transitioning to next-generation refrigerants.

Another challenge is balancing downtime and business continuity during system upgrades.

Smart Systems

Roelofse says smart HVAC-R technologies and cloud-based systems are improving operational efficiency.

Operators can track performance, identify inefficiencies and adjust operating parameters remotely using connected systems, while facility managers use data visualisation tools to reduce energy consumption and improve operational efficiency.

He adds that Internet of Things (IoT) integration is changing HVAC-R system management, as the systems can continuously communicate performance data, “allowing for automated diagnostics, performance benchmarking and remote access”.

IoT-enabled systems reduce reliance on manual inspections, improve fault detection speed and support proactive maintenance strategies, notes Roelofse.

Predictive maintenance is also becoming increasingly important, with Daikin incorporating sensors, analytics and remote monitoring tools to identify potential failures before they occur.

Analysing operational data and equipment behaviour patterns enables systems to detect anomalies and trigger maintenance alerts, reducing unplanned downtime and lowering service costs.

“For industries reliant on continuous cooling, such as pharmaceuticals or food processing, predictive capabilities are particularly valuable in safeguarding operations,” Roelofse adds.

Meanwhile, integration with building management systems has become essential in modern HVAC-R design.

Daikin systems are designed to communicate with a range of protocols, allowing for centralised control of HVAC-R, lighting and energy systems.

“This integration enables holistic building optimisation, better energy management, and improved operational visibility,” he says.

Additionally, in response to growing demand from data centres and industrial facilities, the company is focusing on precision cooling systems, inverter-driven technologies and modular designs that support scalability and redundancy.

These systems are engineered for continuous operation with minimal energy waste, while innovations in heat recovery and liquid cooling technologies are also gaining traction.

Future developments expected to shape the HVAC-R industry over the next five to ten years include AI-driven optimisation, digital twins, advanced heat pump technologies and expanded IoT ecosystems.

“These developments will redefine how HVAC-R systems are designed, operated, and maintained, with a strong focus on sustainability, resilience and intelligent control,” he concludes.