DUBAI, UAE, 2 February 2026: LINQ Modular, part of ALEC Holdings, announced that it has signed a collaboration with SIBS AB (publ) to accelerate the delivery of large-scale developments across the Middle East. Making the announcement through a Press Release, LINQ said the agreement brings together SIBS’ global manufacturing capability with LINQ’s delivery expertise and ALEC Holdings’ regional construction experience.

LINQ said the collaboration aims to unlock the next phase of industrialised construction in the region with a focus on delivering what the company describes as faster, more predictable and more sustainable residential and mixed-use developments at scale. LINQ said the collaboration builds on its early work in prefabricated and modular construction since 2020 and added that it has demonstrated the commercial and technical viability of modular construction for hospitality, bespoke residential and complex urban developments.

LINQ said the next phase of the collaboration expands on these foundations and is guided by a shared ambition to deliver at least 1,500 modular units per year across residential, commercial and hospitality developments, subject to project awards and client approvals, through an industrialised and repeatable delivery model. LINQ said it will continue to lead market engagement, regulatory approvals and in-country delivery and added that ALEC Holdings will support on-site execution. LINQ said SIBS will provide industrial production capacity, design-for-manufacture expertise and factory-produced quality.

LINQ said the strategy is intended to address growing demand in the region’s residential sector where speed of delivery is critical but must align with quality, safety and sustainability requirements. LINQ said a key enabler of the collaboration is the modular licence granted by Dubai Municipality to the company, which it said allows it to deliver G+6 residential and commercial buildings in the Emirate. LINQ said that, combined with SIBS’ experience in delivering large apartment complexes internationally, the collaboration is, in the company’s view, positioned to respond to market momentum as residential supply struggles to meet demand across major Gulf cities. LINQ said clients will have access to SIBS’ experience in industrialised construction and noted that SIBS has delivered approximately 7,000 apartments globally. LINQ added that, according to SIBS, its modular systems typically reduce project timelines by around 40%, production costs by up to 30% and energy consumption by up to 50% compared with traditional construction methods.

Erik Thomaeus, CEO, SIBS, said: “This cooperation is a major step forward for modular growth in the UAE. LINQ and ALEC Holdings bring deep and proven on-site expertise across the region, while SIBS contributes industrialised production capacity and repeatable manufacturing quality. Together, we can provide clients with a faster, more predictable and scalable modular solution, from manufacturing through to project completion.”

Graham Petty, Operations Manager, LINQ, said: “This collaboration represents the natural next phase of a strategy we have been executing over several years – building market understanding, proving modular at the premium end of the sector and developing a strong pipeline of opportunities. By combining SIBS’ ability to manufacture at scale with our delivery capabilities and ALEC Holdings’ on-site expertise, we can now offer clients a full-spectrum industrialised construction solution that supports speed, certainty and long-term value.”

LINQ said the collaboration is already underway with multiple near-term project opportunities being progressed and evaluated.

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, United States, 2 February 2026: Johnson Controls announced the launch of the next generation of its Smart Ready YORK Chillers with factory-installed connectivity to harness real-time performance insights from the day of installation.

Making the announcement through a Press Release, Johnson Controls said customers using connected chillers experience faster identification of potential issues remotely, in many cases before they happen, 32% fewer unplanned service calls resulting in greater uptime and improved reliability with lower total cost of ownership.

Johnson Controls said Smart Ready Chillers empower operators to access critical data to set parameters at startup, validate performance baselines and monitor system health using fault detection and diagnostics. The company added that the connected solution streamlines commissioning while algorithms immediately begin to learn the chiller to detect even the slightest change in performance and flag potential issues as soon as possible to maximise uptime and operating efficiency.

Johnson Controls said centrifugal chillers will lead the rollout of the technology, with screw and scroll models to follow.

Tyler Smith, Vice President, Global Lifecycle Solutions, Johnson Controls, said: “Smart Ready Chillers mark a significant step forward in our commitment to being our customers’ service partner of choice by connecting all our assets from the start. Johnson Controls pioneered connecting assets in 1883 when Warren Johnson invented the first thermostat and we continue to lead the industry in leveraging connected insights to help our customers operate their buildings more effectively. Smart Ready Chillers help ensure that connectivity can be achieved on day one.”

Johnson Controls said Smart Ready Chillers enable digital service capabilities to meet diverse customer needs, adding that its standard digitally enabled services include the ability to remotely gain insights coupled with on-site support for customers seeking reliability, performance and reduced operational risks.

The company said Smart Ready Chillers provide over 200 data points immediately, far beyond what building automation systems typically offer, and deliver analytics enabled with AI to help operators identify issues early and optimise ongoing performance. Johnson Controls said even small deviations can increase energy costs over a chiller’s lifecycle.

Johnson Controls said the importance of real-time performance insights is central to the role of Smart Ready Chillers within building operations. Smith added: “Chillers are one of the most critical pieces of equipment in a building, and even small performance deviations can jeopardize uptime and drive-up lifecycle costs. Smart Ready Chillers give operators the real-time data they need to maintain peak efficiency, increase uptime, reduce operating costs and extend the life of their investment, while keeping occupants comfortable.”

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, 1 February 2026: ASHRAE said it honoured members whose leadership, innovation and service have made a lasting impact on the Society and the built environment during its 2026 Winter Conference in Las Vegas. Making the announcement through a Press Release, the Society said the recognitions highlighted the distinct ways ASHRAE members advanced building performance, sustainability and the HVACR profession worldwide.

ASHRAE said Chandra Sekhar, Fellow Life Member, ASHRAE, received the F. Paul Anderson Award. The Society said the award is its highest technical achievement given for notable achievement of outstanding services performed in the HVACR field and added that Sekhar is a professor at the National University of Singapore, College of Design and Engineering, Department of the Built Environment, Singapore.

The Society said Ron Jarnagin (1946-2024), Presidential Fellow Life Member, ASHRAE and Kenneth Loudermilk (1954-2023), Life Member, ASHRAE have been inducted into the ASHRAE Hall of Fame. ASHRAE said the ASHRAE Hall of Fame honours deceased members who have made milestone contributions to the growth of ASHRAE-related technology or the development of ASHRAE as a society.

ASHRAE said Darryl Boyce, Presidential Fellow Life Member, ASHRAE, received the ASHRAE Distinguished Public Service Award and added that the award recognises a member who has performed outstanding public service in their community and has helped improve the public image of the engineer. The Society said Boyce is the owner of Boyce Consulting Services in Kemptville, Ontario, Canada.

The Society said it has elevated 24 members to the grade of Fellow ASHRAE, which it described as a membership grade recognising members who have attained distinction and made substantial contributions in HVACR and the built environment. ASHRAE listed the new Fellows as Omar Abdelaziz, Amanda Bogner, Lianne Cockerton, Lorenzo Cremaschi, Abdel Kader Darwich, Steven J. DiFlora, Mahroo Eftekhari, Kenneth M. Fulk, Christopher Gray, Gregor P. Henze, Satish N. Iyengar, Amir Jokar, Tracey Jumper, Michael J. Langton, Phil Naughton, Alan Neely, Bruce I. Nelson, Clay Nesler, Daniel C. Pettway, Carsten Rode, Richard W. Trent, Thanos Tzempelikos, James W. VanGilder and Mack Wallace.

ASHRAE said Alekhya Kaianathbhatta received the YEA Inspirational Leader Award, noting that the award recognises a Young Engineer in ASHRAE member who has made considerable contributions to the industry and community. The Society said Kaianathbhatta is an Associate at The HIDI Group in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Society said Nasser A. Karimzadeh received the Milton W. Garland Refrigeration Award and added that the award recognises the designer and owner of a commercial or industrial refrigeration application that demonstrated innovation and advancement in the field. ASHRAE said Karimzadeh is the Chief Industrial Refrigeration Engineer at VaCom Technology in Oakwood, Georgia.

ASHRAE said John Constantinide received the John F. James International Award, which the Society said recognises a member who has done the most to enhance the Society’s international presence or posture. ASHRAE said Constantinide is a Range Mechanical Engineer with the U.S. Space Force at Patrick Space Force Base in Florida.

The Society said Carey Simonson received the E.K. Campbell Award of Merit. ASHRAE said the award honours an individual for outstanding service and achievement in teaching and added that Simonson is with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

ASHRAE said the Award of Engineering Excellence was presented to Kunita Shindo and Dr Shun Kawakubo in the new industrial facilities or process category for the OKI Honjo Plant H1 Factory in Saitama, Japan. The Society said the building is owned by OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

ASHRAE said its Technology Awards recognises achievements by members who have applied innovative building designs. The Society said Barry Lau received an award in the EBCx commercial buildings category for Citygate Outlets in Hong Kong, owned by Swire Properties Limited. ASHRAE said Eikichi Ono, Takamasa Hasama, Toby Cheung and Yuichi Takemasa have received an award in the new commercial buildings category for The GEAR in Singapore, owned by Kajima Development.

The Society said Ben Kleine-Kracht and Jess Farber have received an award in the existing educational facilities category for Buckley Elementary School in Manchester, Connecticut, owned by the Town of Manchester. ASHRAE said Grayson Woods, Ben Hobbs and Kyle Sprague have received an award in the new educational facilities category for Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in Washington, D.C., owned by the Department of General Services.

ASHRAE said Nolan Amos and Bill Sharp received an award in the new institutional category for Centre College Champions Hall in Danville, Kentucky, owned by Centre College. The Society said Jess Farber, Ben Kleine-Kracht, Thom Anderson and Kyle Smith received an award in the EBCx health care facilities category for Boston Medical Center: Brockton Behavioral Health Center in Boston, Massachusetts, owned by Boston Medical Center.

ASHRAE said Kevin Sharples, Kurt Monteiro and Peter Kastelic received an award in the new health care facilities category for New Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada, owned by the Government of Newfoundland. The Society said Austin Boone and Brice Watson received an award in the existing public assembly category for Stead Park Recreation Center in Washington, D.C., owned by DGS.

ASHRAE said Spencer Howell, Shruti Borle, BEMP and David W. Griffin II, BEMP received an award in the new public assembly category for Salt Lake County Daybreak Library in South Jordan, Utah, owned by Salt Lake City County Facilities Management.

The Society said its Student Design Competition focused on a new medical office building in Manchester, England. ASHRAE said first place in the HVAC Design Calculations category was awarded to Ain Shams University and added that first place in the HVAC System Selection category was also awarded to the same institution. The Society said first place in the Setty Family Foundation Net Zero Energy Design category was awarded to New Jersey Institute of Technology.

ASHRAE said the Setty Family Foundation Applied Engineering Challenge focused on the development of a carbon capture and utilisation module and that the first-place student team was awarded to Simon Fraser University. The Society said the first-place student team in the Building EQ Competition was awarded to the University of Washington.

CLEVELAND, Ohio, United States, 30 January 2026: The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) said credible corporate climate transition planning is becoming a critical requirement for mobilising capital in India, given the country requires cumulative investments of USD 10 trillion (INR 883 lakh crore) to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Making the announcement through a Press Release, IEEFA said transition planning in India’s corporate landscape remains fragmented and largely driven by compliance, according to its recent report.

IEEFA said the absence of dedicated transition plan disclosures within the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework, combined with limited guidance on financial materiality and forward-looking metrics, has resulted in disclosures that are difficult to compare, verify or use meaningfully for investment and lending decisions.

The Institute said its report examines transition planning practices across India’s corporate sector through an assessment of 33 companies operating in six high-emitting sectors, namely power, steel, cement, chemicals, commodities and oil and gas.

IEEFA said its analysis identifies three systemic weaknesses in India’s current transition planning landscape. The Institute said transition ambition rarely translates into quantified, time-bound and financially integrated pathways, with limited linkage between targets, capital expenditure, revenues and risk management. IEEFA said governance structures are present in form but weak in substance. The Institute added that disclosures are fragmented and backward-looking, reducing their usefulness for capital providers.

IEEFA said the assessment found that while most companies had announced net-zero or emission reduction targets, few explained how these targets would be achieved. Shantanu Srivastava, Research Lead, Sustainable Finance and Climate Risk, South Asia, said: “Only a limited number link their goals to capital expenditure plans, revenue assumptions or changes in business strategy, making it difficult for investors and lenders to assess the feasibility of transition pathways.”

IEEFA said financial disclosures remained a major gap, with companies rarely quantifying the potential financial impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities. IEEFA added that scenario analysis, where disclosed, was qualitative and lacked transparency around assumptions, time horizons or financial implications.

IEEFA said governance disclosures further weakened the effectiveness of transition planning. The report’s co-author, Tanya Rana, Energy Analyst, IEEFA , South Asia, said: “While most companies report board- or management-level oversight of sustainability issues, few provide evidence of clear accountability, decision-making authority or incentive structures linked to transition outcomes.”

IEEFA said the sectoral review revealed significant heterogeneity in transition plan disclosure maturity across India’s key emitting industries. IEEFA said a consistent pattern emerged in which a handful of large, listed or globally exposed companies demonstrated relatively advanced practices, while the majority remained at an early stage of transition planning.

Srivastava added, “Disclosures are strongest on high-level ambition statements, and weakest on lever-level quantification, financial integration and Scope 3 coverage.”

IEEFA said governance structures were often in place but that operational embedding, capacity building and climate-linked remuneration remained limited. IEEFA said engagement on workforce and community transition continued to be framed as Corporate Social Responsibility rather than Just Transition and that external assurance practices varied widely by firm size.

The Institute said the report outlined targeted recommendations to strengthen corporate transition planning and improve the decision-usefulness of disclosures in India.

IEEFA said that at the corporate level, the report recommends companies move beyond high-ambition statements and develop transition plans that clearly link emissions targets to capital expenditure, operational changes, financing needs and risk management processes. The Institute said this includes improving the use of scenario analysis, strengthening internal data systems and embedding transition planning within core business strategy.

IEEFA said that for regulators, the report recommends SEBI explicitly integrate transition planning expectations within the BRSR framework, including clearer guidance on forward-looking metrics, financial materiality and the linkage between climate targets and business strategy.

Rana said, “Strengthening corporate transition planning and disclosure practices will require coordinated action by regulators and corporates.” IEEFA said Indian corporates should invest in internal capacity building, scenario analysis, data systems and governance structures.

IEEFA said regulatory coherence will also be key, adding that alignment with the Reserve Bank of India’s proposed climate risk disclosure framework, sectoral decarbonisation roadmaps and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme could help ensure that corporate transition planning becomes part of a unified ecosystem driving India’s low-carbon transformation.

LAS VEGAS, United States, 30 January 2026: Hisense said it will return to AHR Expo 2026 with what it described as a clear message to deliver comfort with confidence today and for the decade ahead. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Hisense said the 2026 edition marks its tenth consecutive year exhibiting at AHR, which it said reflects its commitment to the North American HVAC market and to distributors, contractors and partners.

Hisense said it will showcase what it describes as its most advanced portfolio of residential, light commercial and VRF solutions to date. The company added that these solutions are engineered for efficiency, reliability and installation flexibility across all climate zones.

Hisense said it continues to expand its residential and light commercial offerings with a focus on universal compatibility, high efficiency and extreme-temperature performance. The company said its Hi-PRO HD, Hi-ULTRA HD and Hi-EDGE HD systems deliver up to 20 SEER2 efficiency, low-ambient heating down to -13 degrees F (-25 degrees C) and high-temperature cooling up to 125 degrees F (51.67 degrees C). Hisense added that compact side-discharge designs, 24V controls, broad AHRI match-ups and compatibility with existing coils, furnaces and line sets are intended to simplify both new installations and retrofits without sacrificing performance.

Hisense said its ductless single-zone and multi-zone systems offer SEER2 ratings up to 32 and ultra-low-temperature heating as low as -22 degrees F (-30 degrees C). Hisense added that flexible indoor unit configurations include wall mounts, slim ducts, cassettes, consoles and air handlers. Hisense said features including FrostClean self-cleaning technology, built-in Wi-Fi, A2L refrigerant safety logic and quiet inverter operation are, according to the company, intended to support comfort while managing energy use.

Hisense said its Hi-MULTI system enables whole-home comfort by connecting up to five indoor units to a single outdoor system. The company added that Hi-MULTI supports wall-mounted units, slim duct, ceiling cassette, console and air handler applications and is, according to the company, designed to perform in both extreme heat and cold. Hisense said its Hi-UNI universal 1:1 solution pairs one outdoor unit with multiple indoor unit options to simplify replacements and support fast, versatile installations.

Hisense said its Hi-PAK inverter packaged lineup brings inverter efficiency to 2–5-tonne applications. The company added that the range carries ENERGY STAR certification, compact form factors and cold-climate capability. Hisense said Hi-PAK is presented by the company as designed for ease of transport, installation and service and said it continues to gain traction as a versatile option across North American markets.

Hisense said it will also highlight its growing commercial portfolio, including VRF, air-to-water and applied solutions. The company added that its Hi-COMFORT Air + Water systems combine space conditioning and domestic hot water through heat recovery. Hisense said these systems deliver high efficiency and full heating capacity down to five degrees F (-15 degrees C) from a single outdoor unit.

Hisense said its VRF solutions support a range of applications with heat recovery, low-ambient operation, DOAS compatibility and flexible indoor unit options. Hisense added that these capabilities are intended to enable precise control and scalable performance for commercial buildings.

Hisense said it brings more than 28 years of inverter experience, nine generations of inverter technology and global production capacity exceeding 26 million HVAC units annually to the North American market. The company added that its customers benefit from what it described as warranties, contractor-focused programmes, training platforms and technical support.

Hisense said that in 2026 it will also serve as an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The company added that it considers this sponsorship as reinforcing its global presence and its stated commitment to connecting performance, innovation and trust on and off the field.

Those gaps do not have to do only with refrigerants. It is sad to say, but we are faced with gaping holes in almost every identified action point, be it relating to energy efficiency, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) or food security – inadequate cold chain-related food losses in the post-harvest stage and the consequential emission of methane from landfills. We are confronted with idiosyncrasies and numerous instances of numbing complacency, dithering, indecisiveness, being in denial, working at cross purposes, refusing to factor in indispensable interventions at the time of budgeting, wallowing in myths and jettisoning facts for sheer convenience – even when they are staring us in the face.

It is not just poor technician behaviour, but also poor leadership behaviour. Pulling out of multilateral agreements is just one example of leadership deficit. Failure to tighten codes that need urgent updating, failure in enforcement, failure in surveillance and showing a willingness to prioritise the superficial over the profound are all examples of a collective leadership failure and an unfortunate short-term mindset.

I could be inaccurate, but about the only area that draws a certain urgency is the data centre sector. There, we get to see intensity of thought and action and a greater political will and response, simply because that is where the money is. Indeed, a strong commercial interest and the knowledge that data centre equipment will carry out the threat of failing, if not treated properly, and taking down with them data worth millions, causes the most unflappable of leaders to break into cold sweat. And that’s because the stakes are too high – any disruption and its consequences will attract lawsuits and repercussion, with no escape door for accountability.

So, it is all about a real and perceived danger with an unambiguous, direct cause-and-effect equation that goads leaders into action. Which means, there has been a collective communication failure in firmly establishing this cause and effect in the realms of energy efficiency, IAQ and other equally mission-critical aspects. You may choose to argue otherwise – and you are entitled to your opinion – but temporary patching up won’t do. We need to see single-minded focus and a certain ruthlessness to pull society away from the abyss.

DUBAI, UAE, 27 January 2026: Empower has announced that it maintained the Emiratisation levels in its workforce by the end of 2025, reflecting its commitment to developing national human capital and empowering Emirati talent across sectors.

Making the announcement through a Press Release, the company said its learning and development programmes have contributed to strengthening the presence of UAE nationals across engineering, technical and administrative roles, adding that this has enhanced their contribution to the organisation’s growth and sustainability efforts. Empower said it has also reaffirmed its commitment to providing a work environment that supports diversity, inclusion and gender balance, noting that Emirati women now account for 46% of its national workforce compared to 54% Emirati men.

H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said: “This approach embodies the vision of our leadership, which places people at the forefront of development priorities, and reflects the company’s commitment to operating under a clear, long-term strategy focused on building and developing national competencies capable of effectively contributing to leading the future of the sustainable District Cooling sector. At Empower, we are keen to empower our national workforce and equip them with advanced knowledge and skills that support their professional growth and enhance their ability to innovate and contribute to achieving growth and sustainability objectives.”

H.E. Bin Shafar added that “Empower places great importance on strengthening the presence of national competencies across various technical, engineering, and administrative roles in the District Cooling industry, stemming from our belief in their pivotal role in achieving operational excellence. With qualified Emirati hands, we continue to consolidate Empower’s position as a leading model in investing in national human capital and contributing to supporting the country’s direction toward a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

Empower said investing in the development of national human resources is a core pillar of its strategic vision. The company added that it continues to implement specialised training and development programs aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Emirati employees, strengthening their readiness to keep pace with sector requirements and supporting the growth of the District Cooling industry in line with the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge- and innovation-driven economy.

Most HVAC systems are still managed reactively. Components break, performance drops or energy costs rise; and teams respond. By that point, comfort has already been affected, and money has already been wasted. Digital twin technology changes this approach.

A digital twin is a live operational model of an HVAC system built on real data. It continuously captures temperature, airflow, pressure, energy use and equipment condition. Instead of relying on static designs or delayed alarms, operators see how systems are behaving in real time.

This visibility allows problems to be identified early. Common issues, such as valve degradation, refrigerant loss, sensor drift or fan inefficiency, can be detected before they lead to failure. Maintenance becomes planned rather than urgent, downtime is reduced and asset life is extended.

Digital twins also reduce risk when changes are required. Seasonal demand shifts, control strategy updates and equipment upgrades can be tested virtually before being applied to live systems. Teams can see the impact on comfort, energy consumption and system stability in advance. This leads to better decisions and fewer costly errors.

Energy performance improves, as well. Setpoints and control logic can be continuously adjusted based on actual operating conditions. Buildings use less energy while still meeting comfort and sustainability requirements.

As HVAC systems become more connected, security becomes part of operational reliability. Integration with building management systems, IoT sensors and cloud platforms increases exposure. A compromised HVAC system can become an entry point into wider networks.

Darklake delivers HVAC digital twin solutions with security built in from the start. By combining accurate system modelling with cyber resilience, monitoring and segmentation, Darklake ensures intelligent HVAC systems remain efficient, reliable and safe to operate.

The real value of smarter HVAC is control you can trust.

The writer may be contacted at andrew.schumer@darklake.com.

Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) have come a long way since they were first introduced in the US market somewhere around the late 1970s. What used to be viewed as somewhat of an alien concept by many homeowners has grown more mainstream, and is expected to globally reach USD 12 billion by 2033, driven by sustainability mandates, incentives and consumer demand for energy efficiency.

In the US, ground-source geothermal heat pumps (GSHPs) remain a small but growing share of new construction, estimated at 2-5% of new homes in 2024. That figure was about 0.5 per cent 20 years ago. Many factors have contributed to the growth, including more consumer awareness of the benefits of geothermal, increased demand for energy efficiency and the need for reducing the carbon footprint among consumers, technological improvements, more experience on the part of dealers and installers, high-quality training opportunities and government incentives for homeowners.

Types of geothermal heat pumps

GHP efficiencies have gone up dramatically. Some of the technology improvements include variable-speed fan motors, variable-speed or two-stage compressors and advanced controls. These all have led to increased comfort, better dehumidification and quiet operation.

There are four basic types of ground loop systems. Three of these – horizontal, vertical and pond/lake – are closed-loop systems. The fourth is the open-loop option. Which one of these is best depends on the climate, soil conditions, available land and local installation costs at the site. All of the approaches can be used for residential and commercial building applications.

Horizontal system

This type of installation is generally most cost-effective for residential installations, particularly for new construction where sufficient land is available. It requires trenches at least four feet deep. The most common layouts either use two pipes, one buried at six feet, and the other at four feet, or two pipes placed side-by-side at two metres in the ground in a one-metre-wide trench. The proprietary Slinky method of looping pipe allows more pipe in a shorter trench, which cuts down on installation costs and makes horizontal installation possible in areas it would not be with conventional horizontal applications.

Vertical system

Large commercial buildings and schools often use vertical systems, because the land area required for horizontal loops would be prohibitive. Vertical loops are also used where the soil is too shallow for trenching, and they minimise the disturbance to existing landscaping. For a vertical system, holes – approximately 10 cm in diameter – are drilled about six metres apart and 30-120 metres deep. Into these holes go two pipes that are connected at the bottom with a U-bend to form a loop. The vertical loops are connected with a horizontal pipe (manifold), placed in trenches, and connected to the heat pump in the building.

Lake/water body

If the site has an adequate water body, this may be the lowest cost option. A supply line pipe is run underground from the building to the water and coiled into circles at least 2.5 metres under the surface to prevent freezing in cold regions and excessive heat in hot regions. The coils should only be placed in a water source that meets minimum volume, depth and quality criteria.

Open-loop system

This type of system uses well or surface body water as the heat exchange fluid that circulates directly through the GHP system. Once it has circulated through the system, the water returns to the ground through the well, a recharge well or surface discharge. This option is obviously practical only where there is an adequate supply of relatively clean water, and all local codes and regulations regarding groundwater discharge are met.

Benefits of GHPs

The biggest benefit of GHPs is that they use 25%–50% less electricity than conventional heating or cooling systems. This translates into a GHP using one unit of electricity to move three units of heat from the earth. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy consumption and corresponding emissions by up to 44% compared to air-source heat pumps and up to 72% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air conditioning equipment. GHPs also improve humidity control by maintaining about 50% relative indoor humidity, making GHPs very effective in humid areas.

Today’s geothermal systems, using the Earth’s natural energy, can heat and cool a home, and provide domestic water heating, as well. They also can be used in combination with radiant floor heating systems, including systems integrated with solar panels, and can also provide heating for snow-/ice-melting and pools. The US EPA touts GHPs as one of the “most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies currently available” and estimates that ENERGY STAR-qualified GHPs use about 30% less energy than standard heat pumps. How much a homeowner can save in energy costs by installing a geothermal system will depend on the type of equipment to which it is being compared.

Other considerations

Upfront cost: Geothermal systems in residential applications have higher installation costs, but the payback period is typically 3-7 years, due to energy savings and incentives.

Longevity: Geothermal systems last longer – 20-25 years for the unit, 50+ years for the ground loop – than conventional systems, which typically last 10-15 years.

High-ambient temperature (HAT) regions: Since GHPs are primarily used for cooling in HAT regions, they are constantly dumping heat underground. Therefore, it may be necessary to use larger trenches or a greater number of boreholes, as heat dissipation could become an issue, unlike in climates where both heating and cooling are required, and the system extracts heat from underground during heating, resulting in a more balanced thermal exchange throughout the year.

Key AHRI standards for geothermal

The main AHRI standard for geothermal heat pumps is AHRI 870 for “Performance Rating of Direct Geoexchange Heat Pumps”, and the related AHRI 871 (for SI units). These standards define the technical requirements and rating conditions for performance testing and certification of direct geoexchange (DGX) systems, which are used in programmes like ENERGY STAR. There are also standards for other types, such as AHRI 600 for Water-Source Heat Pumps and AHRI 1300 for Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters that use geo-exchange.

The writer is Managing Director of AHRI MENA. He may be reached at NShahin@ahrinet.org

DUBAI, UAE, 26 January 2026: Climate Control Middle East magazine appointed Sotirios Papathanasiou as an official Advisor to the Editorial Campaign, “IEQ & Fertility”. The campaign aims to bridge the gap between Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and reproductive health, highlighting how air quality impacts human life at its most fundamental level.

Papathanasiou joined the campaign with a distinguished background in electronics engineering and environmental advocacy. He is the founder of “GO AQS” and “See The Air”, and is regarded as a globally recognised voice in air quality education, and for the ability to translate intricate technical and environmental data into actionable insights for the general public.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sotirios to this vital campaign,” said Surendar Balakrishnan, Editor of Climate Control Middle East, and Co-Founder & Editorial Director of CPI Industry. “His unique blend of technical mastery in sensing technologies and his deep commitment to public health communication makes him an invaluable asset. As we explore the profound connection between the air we breathe and fertility, Sotirios’ analytical rigour and market foresight will ensure our message is scientifically sound and widely accessible.”

Papathanasiou’s involvement as an advisory expert in various international air quality initiatives further strengthens the campaign’s mission to advocate for healthier indoor environments across the Middle East and beyond.