The future of residential air-con design

Discover what's new in air conditioning, from smart automation to near-silent design, as ArchiPro learns what homeowners expect to find.

George Nassar, Engineer at Epic Air, an air conditioning company specialising in high-end residential, commercial, and high-rise projects, shares the future of air-con design and technology.

George notes the innovation of smart home automation sets the standard for personalised comfort, with homeowners no longer satisfied with basic temperature control and are seeking remote and more customisable temperature management.

“The integration of Wi-Fi and smart home ecosystems is taking convenience to a new level. You can now activate your air con from your phone on the way home to enter at the ideal temperature,” says George. “At Epic Air, we’re seeing this level of control being requested in high-end residences.”

Traditionally, homes were fitted with ducted systems offering just two zones: one for upstairs and one for downstairs. George refers to this as “day and night zones”– day being the downstairs living areas and night referring to the upstairs sleeping zone. “Traditional two-zone systems have given way to individual room zoning, allowing family members to customise temperatures to their individual preferences without impacting the rest of the home,” he says.

George continues, “True Inverter Technology is an advancement that adjusts power consumption based on need. For instance, if only one bedroom requires cooling, the system runs at just 20 per cent capacity rather than full power, drastically reducing electricity costs and carbon footprint.”

Beyond power control, leading manufacturers are making a decisive shift to eco-friendly refrigerants such as R32, which boasts a significantly lower environmental impact than its predecessors. Sustainability isn’t just an option; it’s an expectation in today’s market, and the air conditioning industry is rising to meet the need.

Today’s air conditioning systems are designed to complement, rather than disrupt, the flow of the interior design; think sleek touchpad controls in sophisticated neutral tones, providing an intuitive yet stylish interface.

Beyond the visual appeal, George notes acoustic engineering is another major innovation, “Advanced soundproofing and insulation ensure that new aircon systems operate in near silence, preserving the peace of a home,” he says. “Some homeowners are even opting to relocate outdoor units to rooftops or custom plant rooms, using ventilation to eliminate noise disturbances entirely.”

For those seeking the pinnacle of efficiency and control, George predicts Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology as the next evolution in high-end climate solutions. He explains, “Unlike traditional ducted setups with a few zones, you have your own controller in your room. You can turn it on and off without bothering anyone, and brands have even modified their capabilities to suit this demand."

While this approach has a higher price point, Epic Air is finding homeowners recognise its value in providing a completely customised indoor environment.