From the 1st of October 2001, three phase ducted and non ducted air conditioners of the vapour compression type with a cooling capacity of up to 65kW manufactured in or imported into Australia and New Zealand, had to comply with the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) requirements. These requirements are set out in Australian and New Zealand Standard 3823.2-2001. Since then MEPS levels have progressively increased and from the 1st of October 2007, increased MEPS levels will come into force.

Today, developed countries like Australia are turning to MEPS to increase the number of energy efficient units in the marketplace.

All major Manufacturers including Carrier, Toshiba and Daikin Air Conditioning are committed to providing air conditioning solutions that are energy efficient, quiet, simple to use and reliable, ensuring units not only meet MEPS requirements but in most cases exceed the minimum requirements.

For more information visit:

http://www.energyrating.gov.au

Carrier Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, is providing internet-accessible thermostats to a pilot program for Connecticut Light and Power Company customers this summer. The program ? which begins later this month among 50 selected households in CL&P's Farmington Valley and Stamford service areas and runs through October 1 ? will allow CL&P customers to help reduce power demands during peak emergencies, while also helping them lower their monthly electric bills.

"Carrier thermostats were selected for this cutting-edge program because they have a proven track record for helping homeowners reduce energy costs through easy-to-use programming," said Jon W. Ayers, president, Carrier Corporation.

"Connecticut Light & Power's program also represents an important step in connecting homeowners with their homes through the Internet, while serving as a critical link for energy management between energy suppliers and their customers. By reducing demand during peak hours, utilities can realize substantial savings and homeowners can enjoy lower electricity bills. Reduced power consumption leads to a more reliable power supply and mitigates the need for increased production capacity, which reduces investment, preserves natural resources and lowers harmful air emissions."

Carrier and Silicon Energy, the leader in e-business energy enterprise solutions, have teamed up this summer to offer utilities the ComfortChoice program. The ComfortChoice program is an Internet-based, residential demand-side management solution that enables utilities to recognize peak demand savings without compromising homeowners' comfort and control. The program helps utilities reduce demand, save energy and the environment, and enhance customer value.

CL&P's test includes the installation of a new, high technology Carrier Energy Management Interface (EMi) an Internet-communicating 7-day programmable thermostat, in homes with central air conditioners or heat pumps. Using Web-based software developed by Silicon Energy, CL&P will communicate with the thermostats remotely over the Internet to increase the current temperature setting during peak demand periods.

The air conditioner may still run during this period, but it should operate less frequently because of the higher indoor temperature setting. The homeowner will have the ability to override the temperature setting via the Internet or thermostat if the home becomes too warm.

Using a Web browser interface, the CL&P operator accesses Silicon Energy's energy curtailment program to initiate a thermostat setback, specifying how many degrees and for what duration. At any time, the homeowner can choose to override the setpoint change directly through the EMi, and a message will be transmitted via the Internet back to the utility.

The customer also can remotely access the EMI from a Web browser to obtain status, adjust setpoints and perform overrides. Carrier's EMi uses emWare's device networking software to remotely monitor and control the thermostat. EmWare's software enables the communication and data transmission to and from the homeowner's EMi, the internet and CL&P. AT&T Global Network Services provide the network connectivity.

"This imaginative use of cutting-edge technology may yield another method to reduce demand when there is a power crisis," said Michael W. Townsley, CL&P's manager of Market Planning and Conservation Programs. "The initial research project will help us understand how customers use this technology so that an effective program can be designed that fits into their modern lifestyles without compromising comfort, health and the environment."

For more information visit http://www.carrier.com/

What's Up, Down Under

http://www.corp.carrier.com/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=28ce1d6b31c08010VgnVCM100000cb890b80RCRD&cpsextcurrchannel=1

September 16, 2002

Syracuse, N.Y. -- One of the Southern Hemisphere's most impressive attractions to both residents and visitors is its tallest building, Sydney Tower, Australia. The tower serves as a focal point for Centrepoint, an 11-story shopping and office complex and the retail center of Sydney. The Sydney Tower, along with the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, serves as a unique symbol of Australia's largest city.

This landmark building wouldn't be complete without Carrier air conditioning. Both the Centrepoint shopping and office complex and the unique turret on the tower are air conditioned by Carrier through its Australian company, Carrier Air Conditioning Pty Ltd.

Four hermetic centrifugal chillers which air condition the building are found in a large plant room in the basement of Centrepoint. Air conditioning for the turret is provided by a Carrier dual reciprocating compressor, direct expansion chiller. Each compressor has a separate refrigeration circuit so that 50 percent capacity is always available. Five operation floors can be found above the public floors. They include plant levels containing essential equipment.

Architect Donald Crone conceived Sydney Tower in 1968. Construction began in 1975 and was completed in 1981. However, building this tall tower was no small feat. Engineers had to overcome the potential problem of Sydney's winds on the structure. The tower was designed to withstand a "once-in a-thousand" year storm, bending in winds in excess of 162 mph, as well as an earthquake of a force never anticipated to occur in Australia.

Sydney Tower's turret has nine levels. Four of them are open to the public and can hold up to 960 people. They are home to a restaurant and two observation decks. From the observation deck, visitors can see sites up to 62 miles away, truly a "bird's eye" view. Sydney Tower also offers a view similar to that from an airplane-it is the only building high enough to penetrate the clouds. The two revolving restaurants exert forces that require pinpoint precision to ensure equilibrium. One restaurant revolves clockwise and the other counterclockwise, but at exactly the same speed.

The Problem

Daikin has discovered that there is the potential for the circuit board in the outdoor unit of the above model numbers to overheat. This overheating could produce smoke and possibly distort the cover around the unit. The overheating is a rare occurrence, with just six cases reported among approximately 24,000 units, but our first priority is the safety of our customers. In our customers' best interests, we have initiated a safety related rectification work programme to prevent this occurring.

The Fix

The rectification will be carried out, at Daikin's expense, and involves: