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Haier gives French cultural centre a lift

FRANCE: Haier MRV5-H heat pump VRF units are meeting the heating and cooling requirements of a major cultural centre in the city of Nice on the French Riviera.

In 2008, the city of Nice began a project to convert a 18,000m2 former slaughterhouse into a contemporary cultural hub. Le 109 was the result – a centre for dance shows, art exhibitions, municipal workshops, and various artistic performances.

The old building came equipped with a ventilation system, but it fell short of meeting the centre’s stringent heating and cooling requirements, particularly for its 300m2 concert hall, named Le Frigo 16. This room, capable of accommodating up to 400 guests, urgently needed an efficient solution to maintain a comfortable indoor climate for both visitors and performers.

A local company CCE took the helm of the project, working closely with Tout Pour Le Pro (TPLP), Haier’s local partner, to devise an optimal solution. 

The chosen solution included two 12HP Haier MRV 5-H systems, which provide continuous heating and help avoid any indoor temperature fluctuations.

The MRV 5-H units feature an EVI compressor, which increases refrigerant circulation by 15% and enhances heating efficiency by 30% compared to standard compressors. These units are said to operate efficiently in temperatures as low as -27°C in winter and up to 52°C in summer, making them ideal for Nice’s varying climate conditions.

To complete the system, a combination of cassettes and ceiling-floor indoor units were installed.

In the concert room, nine 7.1kW ceiling-floor units were installed. A fresh air knockout feature, which is integrated directly into the unit chassis, enables fresh air to be introduced into the room at up to 20% of the unit’s nominal airflow. The Haier ceiling-floor range also boasts low noise levels and a five-speed fan.

Five compact cassettes, with capacities ranging from 2.8kW to 5.6kW, were installed in other areas of the centre. In addition, a smart central controller – the HC-SA164DBT – was integrated into the building to simultaneously control both MRV units and residential split units. 

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