The residential light commercial segment of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning market is growing fast in South Africa. With the electricity crises easing off, RLC solutions are an increasingly attractive option – they are affordable, easy to install and deliver surprisingly long- term cost and eco benefits. This segment is prompting more homeowners and small and medium businesses to invest.
 
We are seeing a 6% year on year growth in RLC sales locally which is largely driven by South Africa’s rapidly expanding middle class, its growing number of small and medium enterprises and a buoyant construction segment. Quite simply, RLC solutions are an ideal fit for homes, small or home offices, and office buildings, with heating and cooling capacities designed to deal with bedroom to boardroom (9m2 to 1000m2) sized areas.
 
But there’s more to recommending them. Residential or light commercial air conditioning units are inexpensive to purchase, easy to maintain, fix, and move, and cost efficient to operate. In addition, technology advances bring improved aesthetics – the units, which include a range of options from high-wall to stand-alone, wheel-in console units and modular mini rooftop units, are smaller, aesthetically designed, pleasing to the eye, and quieter. In addition, wireless and integrated controls have improved programmability.
 
Rather than relying on a temperature sensor alone, users can make use of a ‘follow me’ function, switching the unit off when they leave the room or controlling the unit from anywhere in their home or office with a remote. Many RLC units can also communicate with building management systems.
 
How green and efficient are they? These units will heat and cool environments. And what many homeowners don’t realise is that they are three times more cost efficient than an electric heater. Modern design also means they use eco-friendly zero ozone depleting gasses. With units starting as low at R3,000, a return on investment can be realised in a few years, with the lifespan of well-maintained units now extending to 15 years.
 
Johnson Controls is a leader in the RLC segment globally, with brands such as York and, more recently, Hitachi. Johnson Controls’ recent acquisition of 60% of Hitachi’s RLC business is a direct reflection of our confidence in the growth of this segment. Technology advances have made these solutions more efficient, sophisticated and green, making them ideal for the cost and eco-conscious consumer and business owner.
 
As home automation continues to grow the RLC market will grow. With a significant portion of the RLC market share in South Africa, Johnson Controls is committed to delivering solutions that meet market needs, along with the service and support that make these solutions easy to use and own.