Best HVAC Retrofit or Upgrade

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Airmaster was engaged to upgrade the BMS at Dumas House in Perth’s western business district as it became home to the Western Australian government’s COVID Crisis team. Two years later, as pre-pandemic occupancy levels returned, Airmaster completed further works on the building in conjunction with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).

As the central operations facility for the government, Airmaster Automation has achieved practical completion of the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of the mechanical services switchboards (MSSB), including all BMS and fire interfaces to bring the building up to current standards while mitigating the risk of electrical failure to key building services.

Valued at over $2.3 million, this project at the ESTA000 Call Centre in Mount Helen, Victoria, involved a comprehensive chilled and heating hot water system upgrade. Managed by Bridgeford Group, the project began with an options feasibility study. Ultimately, an external heat pump plant was selected for its net-zero alignment, green electricity offset, improved occupant comfort, enhanced part-load efficiency compared to VRV systems, and system redundancy.

The project has left a lasting legacy, by providing a best-practice example of electrification upgrades using heat pumps, and by setting a benchmark for similar facilities.

Commencing in 2020, the original Derwent Entertainment Centre in Tasmania was developed into a new high-end multi-function sporting arena. The design was undertaken by JMG, with installation by Degree C. The existing electric heat and vent system was replaced with new 100 per cent fresh air AHUs incorporating sensible heat recovery heat exchangers. New thermal plant consisting of air-to-water heat pumps with modulating valve changeover for simultaneous heating and cooling was installed, along with a new smoke exhaust system to serve the main arena.

The project also incorporated new commercial kitchen exhausts for the kiosk and corporate dining rooms, as well as new ducted FCUs to provide heating/cooling and ventilation to the ancillary and back-of-house areas.

Replacing legacy HVAC systems that were initially operating on ozone-depleting R22 often leaves the end-user with little choice as far as future-proofing their investment. Generally, water chillers for cooling and heat pumps for heating are specified, operating on synthetic greenhouse gasses.

There is a belief that the use of R744 (CO2) is limited to refrigeration and not suited for HVAC applications. However, Glaciem’s patent design delivered a system capable of direct expansion (DX) cooling, direct heating and combined cooling/heating (dehumidification) that offered the building owners a clear pathway to long-term sustainability.