< Previous40 MEP Middle East | March 2022 www.mepmiddleeast.com TECHNOLOGY TRENDS sensitive plants to thrive, within an ecologically sustainable environment. • Energy-Effi cient Paints Did you know there are wall paints and facade paints now available that deliver an energy- saving effect? Tiny hollow ceramic bodies used in these paints help create a “thermo-ceramic membrane” with which users can sustainably save energy. The advantages of this coating include refl ection, directed evaporation and anti- electrostatics. Additionally, the extraordinary material durability of these paints, which makes the coatings strong, are adaptable and highly durable. These water-based and solvent-free paints are an excellent way for developers to protect the environment and ensure that their surfaces are protected from the harsh effects of moisture, dust, UV radiation, air pollution, and fungi. • Sustainable and Optimised Garbage Management The amount of garbage that comes from homes daily is enormous – and it’s a massive problem if it’s not managed properly (which it is not in most cases). Developers can use eco-friendly automated machines designed especially for handling food and household waste effectively. Solutions are being developed that can convert all kinds of food waste and turn around 80 - 90% of it into organic compost that can then be used to nurture plants (to reduce the usage and emissions from chemical fertilisers). In some work-in-progress projects, we have installed machines that can complete the entire conversion of the bio-degradable waste into compost within just 24 hours, that too without any additives or bio-enzymes being added. Contrary to popular belief, this process is entirely free of odour and leaves no residue or dripping liquids behind. Embedding these technologies help developers reduce their carbon footprint to build a long term and sustainable living environment for generations to come. • Energy-Effi cient Glass Energy effi ciency glass is another great new solution that developers should take note of to help houses use energy more effi ciently by delivering the same level of comfort to inhabitants while consuming lesser energy. Improving the thermal performance of a window or a glass door provides an excellent and long-lasting fi nal energy savings solution. Almost a fourth of all domestic heat loss happens through windows and other openings. Installing energy-effi cient glass also helps developers and residents save money on heating bills compared to standard double- glazed frames. Energy-saving glass solutions are a signifi cant upgrade as they use an advanced metallic coating that refl ects the heat from radiators and fi res right back into the room instead of letting it escape through the windows. Moreover, it also allows free heat and light energy from the sun to pass through and warm March 2022 | MEP Middle East 41 www.mepmiddleeast.com TECHNOLOGY TRENDS up homes to improve energy effi ciency further. When people are spending most of their time indoors, it is essential to create comfortable places that are sustainable and affordable. • Smart Duct Sealing Leaky ductwork is one of the most unnoticed yet signifi cant contributors to energy waste in buildings across the globe, today. Developers can tackle this expensive problem with a relatively inexpensive solution - by sealing the air ductwork to reduce a building’s energy consumption. Duct sealing is, in fact, one of the most effective strategies for managing energy and costs. Over half of any building’s HVAC energy goes to its fans, and studies show that reducing leaks by just 15% can actually drop fan requirements by around 40%. Imagine how much money and energy can be saved every month with that. Duct sealing is a comprehensive and cost- effective solution that reduces energy waste by doing away with the cracks, holes, and other leaks in ductwork that allow unconditioned and adulterated air to enter the building. In addition, they provide considerable savings in energy costs by increasing the effi ciency of the same HVAC fans and combating excess ventilation loads. • Using Sustainable Building Blocks Sustainable building blocks use Insulated Concrete Form (ICF), which is a construction system wherein lightweight blocks made of Expanded Polystyrene Sheet (EPS) can be ‘stacked’ together (just like Lego) to build the desired walls and shapes. After this, these hollow blocks are fi lled with concrete - the EPS layers act as the insulation that makes the ICF blocks stay in place to combine several cumbersome steps of the construction process. ICF construction can be a game-changer for developers because it can substantially reduce the energy requirements as it provides dual insulation and minimises the heat exchange between the building’s interior and exterior. Moreover, both these blocks are inert and do not rot or decay, which means they make stronger buildings that last longer. ICF forms, in fact, can build a concrete wall with about twice as much comprehensive strength as that of conventionally poured walls. This makes the whole construction process more cost-effective, energy-effi cient, and low maintenance.The construction and real estate industry has the potential to turn around the future of any city by integrating environment- friendly buildings and spaces. The pandemic has highlighted the ugly truth that our unsustainable habits may render the biggest metro cities inhabitable for our future generations. Greener construction and sustainable real estate development practices can be the drivers of change for cultivating environment-friendly habits and lifestyles. At Fakhruddin Properties, we will continue to ensure the implementation of these technologies in developments to build a better sustainable tomorrow and enhance the real estate landscape. Yousuf Fakhruddin CEO of Fakhruddin Properties International42 MEP Middle East | March 2022 www.mepmiddleeast.com FINAL WORD Smart Cities is not a buzzword anymore. It is so much more than just something for every country to boast about. A report by Research and Markets states that the global smart cities market size is expected to reach $820.7bn by 2025, at a CAGR of 14.8%. In fact, according to UN-Habitat, around three million people move to cities each week, and it is estimated that, by 2050, nearly two- thirds of the world’s population will reside in cities. But the fabric of a smart city is dependent on many factors, one of the biggest being sustainability. While there are many factors related to making cities smart and sustainable, one of the biggest energy users in residential and commercial properties are the HVAC systems. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), buildings are responsible for 40% of global energy consumption and 33% of Smart HVAC is Key to Sustainability in Smart Cities greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Buildings are a critical piece of our shift to a lower- carbon future. Smart HVAC systems can signifi cantly reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption. Additionally, these systems can be key in reducing costs and building an effi cient system by reducing the workload on the personnel. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) transform the world, and its usage is key in achieving better energy consumption levels. For example, one of the ways is by ensuring the correct deployment of preventative maintenance. Instead of reactive maintenance, by connecting IoT sensors, HVAC contractors can take a more condition- based approach to preventative maintenance. Sensors play an important role in HVAC; strategically-placed thermal sensors can accurately detect temperature differences in every area of a building. In addition, smart HVAC systems can process human movement data to adjust temperatures automatically and signifi cantly reduce energy consumption. Smart HVAC systems are distinguishable from legacy HVAC systems as they are highly customisable. From being able to set the temperature, fan speed, heating, and humidity to doing all of this remotely, consumers can control the energy consumption in their homes and workspaces. Smart cities need to effectively manage the comfort of their residents and actively contribute to environmental challenges and build a case for themselves in society’s growth. Automation of HVAC is a signifi cant fi rst step in the green transformation of buildings. Dr Hassam Chaudhry, Director of Studies for Architectural Engineering at Heriot-Watt University Dubai By Dr Hassam Chaudhr y, Director of Studies for Architectural Engineering at Heriot-Watt University DubaiNext >