Samsung and GBCSA Host Insightful Panel Discussion on Clean Air During World Green Building Week

As part of World Green Building Week, Samsung, in partnership with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), hosted a compelling panel discussion themed ‘Planet Shapers’ on Thursday, 12 September 2024. The event, held at the Samsung DQX store at Design Quarter in Fourways, served as a crucial platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and dialogue on the intersection of clean air technology, climate change, and environmental health.

The session, expertly facilitated by Abi Godsell, GBCSA’s Research and Technical Coordinator, brought together a distinguished panel of industry leaders and experts in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) field. The discussion featured Joseph Kaseke, HVAC Engineering Manager at Samsung; Annelide Sherratt, Head of Green Buildings Certification at Solid Green Consulting; Martin Smith International Professional Engineer and Design Director at Zutari; Matthew Marshall Co-founder and Partner at Redimension Capital; and Alex Varughese Senior Technical Coordinator at GBCSA.

The panelists addressed the profound impact of clean air technology on human health, productivity, and environmental sustainability. The conversation underscored that clean air is not only vital for well-being but also plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity across various building types, from residential homes and schools to hospitals, offices, and recreational facilities such as malls and museums.

When sharing his insights, Kaseke noted a World Health Organisation article published back in 2018, which stated that wildfires, climate change, city pollution, greenhouse gases, and pandemics were the biggest aspects that were detrimental to the health of our respiratory systems. He stressed the importance for manufacturers of air-conditioners to consider and ensure that when they build their products, they take into account all these factors and thus produce air-conditioners that create clean air which would be good for users’ health, while also being comfortable for them.

He also spoke about the latest advancements in Samsung’s HVAC systems designed to improve indoor air quality and said these innovations are crucial in mitigating the effects of pollution and creating healthier living and working environments. Kaseke shared four air-conditioners that have shown to be excellent in the provision of clean air.

WindFree™ 1-Way Cassette (Indoor Unit), which is Samsung’s best-selling air-conditioning unit globally, comes with prefiltration, deodorisation and PM 1.0 filters and its cooling helps maintain a comfortable level of coolness without the feeling of direct cold wind draft. At a height of only 135 mm, it is the thinnest indoor air-cooling unit in Samsung’s line-up. The compact, lightweight design makes installation and maintenance in your space easier than ever. These high-performing units are so subtle that they can easily blend into interiors of all types and styles. A quiet workplace is not only more comfortable for employees, but it also aids productivity.

The bigger capacity WindFree™ 4-Way Cassette also maintains a comfortable level of coolness as cool air is gently dispersed through 15,672 micro air holes, so you won’t feel too cold. It has a prefiltration filter, a secondary filter for dust electrification as well as the PM 1.0 filter that all work together to remove the air’s impurities. The 4-Way Cassette allows efficient energy saving of up to 55% and has a Motion Detect Sensor which enables customised air flow and energy efficient operation.

According to Kaseke, the best in the line-up in terms of design is the 360 Cassette, which has the most momentum in all these air purification categories and ideal for large open spaces. It also comes standard with all the filtration features. Its innovative circular design can match a multitude of interior designs, so it perfectly fits in everywhere. Its minimalist modern styling creates a sophisticated look, and its circular shape stands out beautifully. The AR9000 wall-mounted unit, which is the premium range of Samsung’s residential line-up also comes with that same technology.

The panel concluded with a call to action, urging attendees and the broader public to prioritise clean air in their environmental strategies. The discussion reaffirmed the necessity of collaborative efforts among companies, communities, and individuals to combat climate change and enhance the quality of life through improved air quality.

The session was a testament to the power of dialogue and collaboration in driving forward the green building agenda. It highlighted how technological advancements, and thoughtful strategies can collectively contribute to a healthier planet and more sustainable future.

Tested on Outdoor unit AC140MXADKH, Indoor unit AM140FN4DEH when running simultaneously. Individual result may vary depending on consumer usage.