Eamonn Ryan
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Articles by Eamonn Ryan
Chillventa 2026: Rejecting heat – energy, water, noise and the data centre effect
By Eamonn Ryan Compressors and refrigerants draw the headlines, but some of the most consequential engineering at Chillventa 2026 sat at the other end of the plant, in the equipment that discharges the heat. Heat-rejection equipment affects energy use, water consumption, noise and maintenance, and its selection grows more critical as cooling loads concentrate.
Chillventa 2026: Natural refrigerants are no longer the question – how to apply them is
By Eamonn Ryan What stood out for me in Nuremberg was a change in tone. At Chillventa 2026, the discussion around natural refrigerants was far less about whether they work and far more about how to apply them efficiently, safely and economically. Compact, factory-built CO₂ packages were one sign that natural refrigerants are moving beyond the largest installations. © RACA Journal Carbon dioxide (CO₂), ammonia and hydrocarbons all featured, in different ways, across the technologies on show.
Chillventa 2026: Treating refrigeration as a heat source
By Eamonn Ryan Walk the halls at Chillventa 2026 and a pattern emerges: refrigeration and heating are increasingly being treated as one engineering problem rather than two. Industrial heat pumps can upgrade recovered heat for processes that need hot water or, in some applications, higher-temperature heat. © RACA Journal A refrigeration system removes heat from a space or process and moves it elsewhere.
Part 1: When people don’t speak up, risks stay hidden
By Eamonn Ryan This is part one of a four-part series adapted from a presentation delivered at Electra Mining. The presentation’s research and examples are of value to HVAC but as they came from mining and other industries; they should not be treated as HVAC-specific statistics. The presentation at Electra Mining emphasised that safety culture includes the way people experience management – not just formal systems and procedures.
FRIGAIR Cape Town 2027: Exhibitor line-up grows as free seminar programme takes shape
By Eamonn Ryan Ten exhibitors have confirmed for FRIGAIR Cape Town, to be hosted on 2–4 March 2027 at the CTICC. A free-to-attend SAIRAC seminar programme is being finalised. With less than five months to go, FRIGAIR’s first regional exhibition is filling up, and further bookings are expected. FRIGAIR Cape Town 2027 takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 2–4 March 2027, and the exhibitor line-up is growing. Who is exhibiting?
Part 3: Building refrigeration capability takes more than a course
By Eamonn Ryan This third of a three-part series adapts lessons from a discussion about careers and mentorship in mining, using mining as an analogy for skills development in refrigeration and HVACR. A capable refrigeration workforce is built by investing in people over time. Rawpixel | Magnific.com Training is essential to the future of refrigeration and HVACR, but capability is built through more than attending a course or collecting a certificate.
Part 2: Mentorship that opens doors – and keeps the conversation going
By Eamonn Ryan This second of a three-part series adapts lessons from a discussion about careers and mentorship in mining, using mining as an analogy for skills development in refrigeration and HVACR. Mentoring also requires a realistic commitment. Mego studio | Magnific.com Mentorship can be more than advice. At its best, it helps someone discover their own direction.
Part 1: A qualification opens the door – exposure helps you find your place
By Eamonn Ryan This series adapts lessons from a discussion about careers and mentorship in mining, using mining as an analogy for skills development in refrigeration and HVACR. Confident speaker talking and pointing at whiteboard. Group of employees discussing ideas during presentation of new project at briefing. Business meeting concept A qualification can help someone enter the refrigeration and HVACR industry, but it cannot show them every career path available. That takes exposure.
Keagan Keyser, Author at RACA Journal Publication
By Eamonn Ryan Following the resounding national success of FRIGAIR [...]
Sustainable cooling solution saves energy in pharmaceutical logistics facility
By Eamonn Ryan A cutting-edge cooling system has been installed at a 1 376m2 storage facility, providing an energy-efficient solution for the IMCD Group pharmaceutical company. The system, a Climate Wizard by Seeley International, was part of a larger project worth R7-million for logistics company C. Steinweg Chemical Logistics, tasked with maintaining strict temperature controls for sensitive pharmaceutical products.
Call to action as the transition to IE3
By Eamonn Ryan Starting June 1, 2024, South Africa will enforce critical changes to motor regulations that businesses must heed. The new mandate requires all new low-voltage motors to meet the IE3 efficiency standard. On June 3, 2024, a compulsory specification was Gazetted outlining efficiency requirements for electric motors (VC9113), which will take effect 12 months after the notice publication. These regulations impact motor importers and manufacturers.
Building smarter, not bigger with IoT and edge systems
By Eamonn Ryan There is a shift towards smarter, cloud-connected solutions that can seamlessly integrate smaller systems to a centralised Building Management System (BMS) more flexibly and cost-effectively. The BMS landscape has shifted towards more integration and comfort in spaces, where systems manage everything from HVAC to security and lighting.
SA’s 2025/26 Budget: A cautious approach lacking bold reforms
By Eamonn Ryan The 2025/26 national budget has landed with little fanfare, largely meeting expectations but failing to deliver a bold vision for economic growth. While allocations to social grants and debt servicing were anticipated, the budget lacks the kind of decisive expenditure control measures that could have reassured investors and set the economy on a stronger growth trajectory.
Grocers back US challenge to HFC phase-down: Is this the start of a rollback?
By Eamonn Ryan In a significant move, the National Grocers Association (NGA) has voiced its firm backing for a resolution that seeks to overturn the United States’ phase-down of HFC refrigerants. The resolution, spearheaded by Florida Congressman Neal Dunn, targets the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Final Rule on the Management of Certain HFCs and Their Substitutes under the AIM Act.
Ventilation on demand for underground mines
By Eamonn Ryan, editor RACA Journal | Cold Link Africa The current trend towards integrating systems marks a significant shift from traditional methods, where mine ventilation and cooling systems operated in silos.
ABB showcases ventilation on demand for underground mines solutions at Electra Mining
By Eamonn Ryan The current trend towards integrating systems marks a significant shift from traditional methods, where mine ventilation and cooling systems operated in silos.
CEISLAB SA to advance quality and efficiency in plastics testing across Africa Part 2
By Eamonn Ryan In a landmark announcement, CEISLAB South Africa has committed to elevating the standard of plastics testing in Africa. …continued from Part 1. To enhance its offering, CEISLAB SA has partnered with global certification body, ANAB. This partnership enables the laboratory to provide internationally recognised certifications, ensuring compliance with global standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and others crucial to the plastics and piping industries.
CEISLAB SA to advance quality and efficiency in plastics testing across Africa Part 1
By Eamonn Ryan In a landmark announcement, CEISLAB South Africa has committed to elevating the standard of plastics testing in Africa. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. With a focus on both local roots and global excellence, CEISLAB SA aims to become a leading force in the testing, certification and support sectors, delivering cutting-edge services to a wide range of industries.
SAPPMA's Venter stresses the need for quality and certification in SA’s plastics pipe industry
By Eamonn Ryan Jan Venter, executive director of SAPPMA (South African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association), highlighted the critical role that the plastics pipe industry plays in South Africa’s infrastructure development. Speaking at the launch of CEISLAB SA, Venter focused on the importance of maintaining high-quality standards and effective certification to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Safripol’s journey to global standards
By Eamonn Ryan George Diliyannis, senior application engineer at plastics manufacturing company Safripol, shared his company’s experience navigating international standards during the launch event of CEISLAB SA in South Africa on 4 February. Diliyannis reflected on the challenges and successes Safripol encountered while aligning its polyethylene materials with global norms, particularly ISO 4427, the international standard for polyethylene raw materials used in water pipes.
The opportunity for SA manufacturers
By Eamonn Ryan In recent years, the significance of conformity assessment frameworks in Europe has been growing, particularly in industries such as plastics and building materials. This is Part 2 of a two-part series. …continued from Part 1. Federico Muñoz, CEO of CEISLAB—a major European laboratory owned by the Spanish standardisation body UNE – noted that South Africa, as an influential market in the Southern African region, offers significant opportunities for local manufacturers.
Conformity assessment framework in Europe: Insights for the SA market
By Eamonn Ryan In recent years, the significance of conformity assessment frameworks in Europe has been growing, particularly in industries such as plastics and building materials. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. The use of certification marks, like AENOR certification, has played a central role in ensuring product quality and facilitating international trade.
Saved costs with CEISLAB SA's local launch
By Eamonn Ryan The AENOR certification process – with its emphasis on rigorous testing, continuous monitoring, and adherence to industry standards – are highly relevant to the HVAC&R sector, particularly when it comes to the use of plastic piping systems. This is Part 3 of a three-part series. …continued from Part 2. The Certification Committee, which meets eight times a year, reviews inspection and test reports to ensure adherence to the standards.
Sustainability and innovation take centre stage in CEISLAB SA's certification launch
By Eamonn Ryan The AENOR certification process – with its emphasis on rigorous testing, continuous monitoring, and adherence to industry standards – are highly relevant to the HVAC&R sector, particularly when it comes to the use of plastic piping systems. This is Part 2 of a three-part series. …continued from Part 1. AENOR CEO Ricardo Pascual emphasised the growing importance of sustainability in the European plastic piping industry.
AENOR certification drives global expansion for plastic piping systems, says CEO Ricardo Pascual
By Eamonn Ryan The AENOR certification process – with its emphasis on rigorous testing, continuous monitoring, and adherence to industry standards – are highly relevant to the HVAC&R sector, particularly when it comes to the use of plastic piping systems. This is Part 1 of a three-part series.
Flexible comfort: how VRF systems are changing the HVAC landscape
By Eamonn Ryan Known for their energy efficiency and versatility, Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems have quickly become popular worldwide as a highly effective solution for controlling heating and cooling in large or multi-zone buildings VRF systems were first developed in Japan in the early 1980s, with the technology making its way to Europe by the late 1980s.
What’s on at Frigair 2025
By Eamonn Ryan We speak to exhibitors to whet your appetite for FRIGAIR 2025. In this exciting FRIGAIR 2025 preview, we explore a number of exhibiting companies’ plans for the upcoming exhibition and highlight how their continuous growth and innovation work hand-in-hand with their participation in an exhibition which is reshaping the HVAC&R landscape in South Africa and beyond.
Natural shading and solar control
By Eamonn Ryan The following article is derived from an ASHRAE UK presentation on ASHRAE UK chapter’s upcoming Hot Climate Design Guide, by Frank Mills, FASHRAE and professional consulting engineer. This is Part 8 of an eight-part series. …continued from Part 7. Another important strategy that the guide explores is the use of natural shading and solar control.
The importance of surrounding landscape and car parks
By Eamonn Ryan The following article is derived from an ASHRAE UK presentation on ASHRAE UK chapter’s upcoming Hot Climate Design Guide, by Frank Mills, FASHRAE and professional consulting engineer. This is Part 7 of an eight-part series. …continued from Part 6. The guide explores how the surrounding landscape plays an important role in how a building performs in hot climates.
The Mahoney Tables and strategic analysis
By Eamonn Ryan The following article is derived from an ASHRAE UK presentation on ASHRAE UK chapter’s upcoming Hot Climate Design Guide, by Frank Mills, FASHRAE and professional consulting engineer. This is Part 6 of an eight-part series. …continued from Part 5. Another useful resource that the guide explores is the Handbook of Tropical Housing and Building Design.
The path forward: passive solar design and retrofit solutions
By Eamonn Ryan The following article is derived from an ASHRAE UK presentation on ASHRAE UK chapter’s upcoming Hot Climate Design Guide, by Frank Mills, FASHRAE and professional consulting engineer. This is Part 5 of an eight-part series. …continued from Part 4. In older cities many buildings are historic and listed, whereby achieving net-zero goals presents additional challenges.
Innovations in net-zero design
By Eamonn Ryan The following article is derived from an ASHRAE UK presentation on ASHRAE UK chapter’s upcoming Hot Climate Design Guide, by Frank Mills, FASHRAE and professional consulting engineer. This is Part 4 of an eight-part series. …continued from Part 3. To achieve true net-zero buildings, it is crucial to consider all energy consumption within the building.
Climate change and rising temperatures
By Eamonn Ryan The following article is derived from an ASHRAE UK presentation on ASHRAE UK chapter’s upcoming Hot Climate Design Guide, by Frank Mills, FASHRAE and professional consulting engineer. This is Part 3 of an eight-part series. …continued from Part 2. Tackling climate change requires more than just better building practices. It necessitates a collective effort to reduce carbon emissions across all sectors, which includes shifting energy production from fossil fuels to renewables.
Case studies and regional examples
By Eamonn Ryan The following article is derived from an ASHRAE UK presentation on ASHRAE UK chapter’s upcoming Hot Climate Design Guide, by Frank Mills, FASHRAE and professional consulting engineer. This is Part 2 of an eight-part series. …continued from Part 1. The guide will include case studies from diverse regions, such as Kuwait and the UK, to illustrate effective cooling strategies that have been successfully implemented.
The development of the ASHRAE UK Hot Climate Design Guide: emphasising low carbon and low energy solutions
By Eamonn Ryan The following article is derived from an ASHRAE UK presentation on ASHRAE UK chapter’s upcoming Hot Climate Design Guide, by Frank Mills, FASHRAE and professional consulting engineer. This is Part 1 of an eight-part series. The primary objective of the guide is to help architects, engineers and designers construct buildings in hot climates that are as close to net-zero as possible.
Digital certification
By Eamonn Ryan The Southern African Development Community Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SADC RAC) association held a workshop in Johannesburg in November. This is Part 7 of a seven-part article. …continued from Part 6. David Botha, the executive director of both the South African Qualification and Certification Committee (SAQCC) and the South African Refrigeration Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association (SARACCA), highlighted another innovation – the transition to digital certification.
E-Learning for a broader reach
By Eamonn Ryan The Southern African Development Community Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SADC RAC) association held a workshop in Johannesburg in November. This is Part 6 of a seven-part article. …continued from Part 5. The e-learning pilot is expected to be completed within the next six to eight months, after which SARACCA will reach out to associations and training providers to discuss how this platform can be implemented.
Future of technician training and certification
By Eamonn Ryan The Southern African Development Community Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SADC RAC) association held a workshop in Johannesburg in November. This is Part 5 of a seven-part article. …continued from Part 4.
Bridging the gap: navigating regulatory frameworks for the HVAC&R sector
By Eugene le Roux and Eamonn Ryan The South African landscape for gas practitioners, particularly in the HVAC&R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) sector, is undergoing significant regulatory changes. The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has tasked the South African Qualification and Certification Committee for Gas (SAQCCGas) with developing guidelines to regulate gas practice.
Assessing challenges and recommendations for HVAC&R training in SA
By Eamonn Ryan A recent presentation by Gift Molokwane of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) provided a comprehensive overview of a report on the state of training for refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC&R) technicians in South Africa.
The hidden world of data centres: secrecy, Bitcoin mining and the race for efficiency
By Eamonn Ryan Despite data centres’ growing ubiquity, these facilities remain shrouded in secrecy. Data centres are increasingly becoming the backbone of the modern digital economy, powering everything from cloud computing to artificial intelligence, e-commerce and cryptocurrency mining. One of the most striking aspects of data centres is the level of secrecy surrounding their operations.
The role of Certificates of Conformity (CoCs)
By Eamonn Ryan The Southern African Development Community Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SADC RAC) association held a workshop in Johannesburg in November. This is Part 4 of a seven-part article. …continued from Part 3.
The importance of classification in the industry
By Eamonn Ryan The Southern African Development Community Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SADC RAC) association held a workshop in Johannesburg in November. This is Part 3 of a seven-part article. …continued from Part 2. The South African HVAC&R industry has a well-structured classification system to categorise technicians based on their skills, qualifications and experience.
The second phase of expanding and strengthening the programme: SADC RAC Part 5
By Eamonn Ryan Speaking at the SADC RAC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) interactive workshop in November, Lutendo Ndhlovu, representing the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), outlined the programme. This is Part 5 of a five-part series. …continued from Part 4. Ndhlovu emphasised that, moving forward, the programme will work to empower and expand these networks.
SAQCC Gas and SARACCA’s e-learning model
By Eamonn Ryan The Southern African Development Community Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SADC RAC) association held a workshop in Johannesburg in November. This is Part 2 of a seven-part article. …continued from Part 1. The association works closely with the SAQCC Gas to maintain a registry of qualified technicians, ensuring that every individual in the industry is properly certified and equipped to perform their duties safely.
SAQCC and SARACCA: e-learning a proven model for SADC RAC
By Eamonn Ryan The Southern African Development Community Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SADC RAC) association held a workshop in Johannesburg in November. This is Part 1 of a seven-part article.
Consulting with TVETs to encourage female participation: SADC RAC Part 4
By Eamonn Ryan Speaking at the SADC RAC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) interactive workshop in November, Lutendo Ndhlovu, representing the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), outlined the programme. This is Part 4 of a five-part series. …continued from Part 3.
Mainstreaming gender policies in the industry: SADC RAC Part 3
By Eamonn Ryan Speaking at the SADC RAC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) interactive workshop in November, Lutendo Ndhlovu, representing the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), outlined the programme. This is Part 3 of a five-part series. …continued from Part 2. The long-term goal of the initiative is to mainstream gender policies in training activities across the entire sector.
Tools for empowerment and equipping technicians for success: SADC RAC Part 2
By Eamonn Ryan Speaking at the SADC RAC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) interactive workshop in November, Lutendo Ndhlovu, representing the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), outlined the programme. This is Part 2 of a five-part series. …continued from Part 1. The programme not only focuses on providing technical training but also issues tools to each participant to ensure they can apply their skills effectively.
PART 2: CONCRETE IN THE DESIGN OF A UNIQUE LUXURY HOME IN GEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA
By Eamonn Ryan In an exclusive interview, Justin Bien of OneRoom Design Architects shared insights with Concrete Trends into the design and construction of a unique luxury home in George, South Africa. The discussion revolved around the substantial use of concrete in the foundation and structure of this extraordinary family residence. This is Part 2 of a two-part series. …continued from Part 1.
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