In recent decades, investment in the built environment has transformed the landscape of the Middle East – quite literally. Between 1975 and 2019, the UAE alone witnessed a 1,000% increase in population growth. And now, with several mega-projects that are expected to house millions of people, well underway, Saudi Arabia is also laying the foundation for imminent urban population growth.

The rapid rate of urbanisation has created an interesting dichotomy. As cities in the region grow, so does the construction of residential, office, hospitality and leisure facilities – spaces that are all deeply intertwined with human behaviour. This surge in urban development has sparked a demand for human-centric design, with one key consideration in mind – occupant comfort.

At the same time, the rapid rate of urbanisation has also led to a surge in energy demand. Since 1980, energy consumption in the Middle East has grown faster than the region’s GDP. This phenomenon has been intensified by the onset of regional climate change, with temperatures in the Middle East rising twice as fast as the global average.

Now more than ever, regional governments are placing sustainability firmly at the heart of urban development. The UAE has outlined a strategy to achieve a 70% reduction in the country’s carbon footprint by 2050, and Saudi Arabia is aiming to reach zero net emissions by 2060.

So, the burning question remains: As an industry, how do we balance the demand for occupant comfort with regional sustainability goals? How do we create comfortable spaces in an eco-conscious way? The answer lies in energy-efficient solutions.

In increasingly hot and arid climates, a water heater may not be the first appliance we think of when it comes to optimising efficiency – however, on average, water heating accounts for nearly 20% of domestic energy usage, with figures for commercial energy usage varying based on the size and type of facility. After air conditioning, this is typically the second-largest expense. So, for developers seeking to produce more sustainable, energy-efficient buildings, the strategy for heating water is a crucial consideration.

In recent years, there has been a drive towards heat pumps across many parts of the globe.

Heat pumps use a vapour compression cycle to transfer low-grade heat energy into hot water. An air-to-water heat pump draws energy from the surrounding atmosphere. Therefore, the energy source is free, and due to the vapour compression cycle, the only energy consumed is that used to drive the electrical components of the appliance. This makes heat pumps an extremely energy-efficient solution, particularly across the Middle East, because both efficiency and performance increase with the ambient air temperature.

Utilising heat pump technology in both commercial and residential projects not only aids in conserving energy but also reduces the total connected load. By doing so, there is a subsequent decrease in the need for additional wires, control panels and transformers, resulting in significant cost savings during the initial procurement phase. This efficient approach ultimately benefits investors by preserving a substantial amount of capital.

In addition, hybrid water heaters, which leverage WiFi-enabled technology, help users control and monitor their water heater’s energy consumption through their mobile devices, empowering them to use energy more consciously. These systems can also deliver enhanced maintenance support, as they provide advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting for installers and maintenance engineers. This helps expedite service, address issues more efficiently and prevent small repairs from snowballing into larger and more severe maintenance concerns. The integration of smarter water heaters can help building owners and occupants make more informed decisions about energy consumption.

In commercial or residential applications, durable, energy-efficient solutions, such as heat pumps, often require a larger upfront investment, but in the long term, they deliver better ROI by saving costs on various levels.

Evidently, occupant comfort and energy efficiency should not be treated as two separate challenges. Rather, they should be considered as mutually beneficial opportunities for system optimisation. By investing in well-designed water products that benefit from cutting-edge technology and are built to last, building owners not only stand to save money and uphold their reputation but can also play a vital role in safeguarding the future of our planet.

The writer is Managing Director of Rheem Middle East. He may be contacted at Brian.Hempenstall@rheem.com.