NEWS AND PRODUCTS

Hitachi air365 Max solution

A new, top-flow variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning system called air365 Max (pictured) has recently been introduced by Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning Europe.

The air365 Max series comes as standard with both heat pump and heat recovery built in, and is available in two models – the standard air365 Max and the energy efficient air365 Max Pro. Both models are compatible with more than 64 Set Free indoor units. offering unbeatable versatility for all types of installation.

Featuring Hitachi’s innovative SmoothDrive 2.0 technology, the air365 Max and air365 Max Pro produce a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of up to 7.35 and 8.38, as well as a seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of up to 4.76 and 5.19 respectively.

Thanks to contactless near-field communication (NFC) technology, installers can now configure the equipment and customise its settings by 30% to 50% faster than before, saving both time and maintenance costs.

Varming’s new website

Profits continue at PM Group

PM Group achieved operating profits of €33.9m in 2023 while net assets increased to €164m. This was achieved with significant strategic investment in international expansion and acquisition, against a backdrop of increased costs and the impact of inflation.

PM Group’s total workforce across Europe, North America and Asia is currently 3,527 people, 1,363 of whom are employee shareholders in the business.

Last year represented the third year of PM Group’s 2025 strategy, Delivering Our Future Together, which is focused on continued growth in core markets as well as geographical/sectoral expansion. In 2023, 44% of PM Group’s activity was international, with 56% of overall activity undertaken for multi-national clients in Ireland.

The overall trading outlook for 2024 reflects market sentiment, which is strong in Ireland and remains cautious in some regions. In general, the 2024 outlook is that the business will remain steady overall, supported by a strong pipeline in major markets.

Varming has updated its website to feature a modern design that reflects

Varming’s commitment to innovation and client satisfaction. Visitors to the site will benefit from streamlined navigation, enhanced content organisation and improved accessibility across desktop and mobile devices.

See www.varming.ie

New chairperson for Renewable Energy Ireland

Renewable Energy Ireland, a partnership of the country’s leading sustainable energy associations, has appointed Jim Breslin as its new chairperson. He succeeds Dr Tanya Harrington who served in that role since 2021.

Mr Breslin has played a distinguished leadership role in public service over three decades, including as Secretary General of three different Government departments, most recently, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Energy balance for 2023

Ireland’s full energy balance for 2023 has been published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It details the breakdown of energy demand in 2023, and the associated energy-related emissions. The figures show that energy-related emissions were down by just under 8% in the last year, demonstrating progress towards energy decarbonisation in Ireland.

However, the patterns emerging of how we use energy across electricity, heat and transport show significant changes and even higher rates of reduction are needed to successfully bridge the gap between our current performance and achieving our binding climate commitments.

Residential use of coal, peat, oil and natural gas for heating and hot water all dropped in 2023, and the amount of renewable energy used in Irish homes from heat pumps increased by over 30%, albeit from a low base. Provisional 2024 data suggests a return to growth in gas and oil for home heating. Gas use is also up in the first half of 2024 for the industrial and services sector.

000 h LIFETIME

ENHANCED FEATURES, ENDURING PERFORMANCE: THE NEXT GENERATION OF FLOODLIGHTS

CORROSION RESISTANCE UP TO 150 lm/W BUILT TO LAST, LIGHTING THE WAY

THE NEW, ROBUST OUTDOOR FLOODLIGHTS FOR ANY WEATHER

The new standard for demanding outdoor applications: The FLOODLIGHT GEN 4 range is extremely efficient and very durable. Thanks to MULTI LUMEN, the brightness can be adapted to requirements. Sensor and Photocell versions add a further layer of versatility. Reliable even in the harshest conditions thanks to the waterproof cable gland, breather membrane, C4 corrosion resistance and up to IP66 and IK08. FLOODLIGHT GEN 4 are easy to install and come with a comprehensive 5-year guarantee.

Discover more! www.ledvance.com