Zamil Air Conditioners’ (ZAC) emphasis on research and development has resulted in a range of new products that are aimed at offering customers improved solutions that meet their changing lifestyles.

 It was among the first companies to introduce the anti-bacteria filter in the regional market for window and mini-split air conditioners. ZAC has now introduced the nano filter, which is a silver powder coated on the filter mesh. This strengthens the sterilisation function against most of the common bacteria.  The environmentally friendly and non-toxic filter also enhances the efficiency of the unit.
Research on energy saving air conditioners led to the introduction of the new WMC series of mini-split units which retain the operational “mobility,” a function that was pioneered by ZAC three years ago.  Now, all that customers have to do to remotely switch on or off their air conditioners or activate the heat/cool mode, or set their air conditioners to the right temperature is to “talk” to their units via their mobile phones. 
ZAC has also been working on improving its own coil technology. It has introduced new fin patterns and new designs that increase ‘free cooling’ and reduce energy consumption, leading to an increase in overall efficiency of the unit. Currently, ZAC is testing 7 mm condenser coils that lead to better heat transfer in both window and mini-split units. Once the testing is completed and approvals secured, all ZAC window and mini-split units will have the 7 mm condenser coils in the future.
Similarly, in the unitary and applied products category, ZAC has introduced Scroll technology that is aimed at improving overall efficiency of medium-size air-conditioning units. For packaged units and air handlers, the company has introduced the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) systems. Most ZAC units are now equipped with economisers that incorporate state-of-the-art controls, carbon-dioxide monitors to activate fresh air in case of increased presence of carbon-dioxide and UV light source to destroy bacterial growth inside the air conditioning equipment.
Continuous research has led to an improvement in the energy efficiency ratio (EER) of ZAC units. The ZAC screw-compressor chillers offer a package named Economiser for improving the cooling capacity by 8 to 12 per cent in the range between 40-500 TR, without any extra power consumption.

Air Conditioning Technology Centre (ATC)
ZAC’s prowess in engineering development is perhaps embodied in its Air Conditioning Technology Center (ATC), built at a cost of $10 million. Built by Intertek Testing Services (ITS), the 30,000 sq ft facility is the only one of its kind in the Middle East. The ATC makes ZAC the only air-conditioner OEM in the region capable of testing products to local and international certifications.
The centre’s capabilities include:
• Performance testing of consumer as well as commercial air conditioners with capacities ranging from 1/2 ton to 500 tons
• Ability to support finer research and development initiatives through implementation of state-of-the-art computational programmes
• Digital and online processing of tests, thus speeding up new product launches
• Offering local and international certification programmes such as SASO, ARI, UL and AHAM
• Ability to enhance the reliability levels of components used in ZAC products

Technology Initiatives
While IAQ and Energy matters remain at the heart of ZAC research, other initiatives are also being vigorously pursued.  For instance, new microprocessor controls and a new generation of programmable logic controllers have been added to ZAC’s unitary range of equipment and large packaged plants. These new controllers make it easy to monitor and control the air conditioning plants even from remote locations, or via GSM technology or Internet in some products.
After a successful introduction in Europe, ZAC is gearing up to launch GSM monitoring in Saudi Arabia as well.  The company has switched to environment-friendly refrigerants and regularly produces R134a Chillers and AHUs. It has also completed the design and testing of all consumer products up to five tons - including window, mini-split and ducted split air conditioners with scroll compressors - with R407C refrigerant.
In the Middle East markets, ZAC’s Rotary Compressor units have gained a leadership position. These units were developed three years ago in collaboration with Sanyo Compressors and they were the first of their kind for tropical areas. The rotary is now used in a wide range of products, thus enhancing the efficiency and performance of the units while making them cheaper for the end-user.
ZAC has introduced specially designed vertical package units for the telecommunication sector in 3-, 4- and 5-ton capacities for both 60 Hz market (the PV series) and 50Hz market (the PF series), complete with standard and lead lag controllers. To cater to the US market requirements, ZAC has developed a new RAC heat pump unit with an auxiliary heater. The unit is a heat pump unit with a resistance type electrical heater installed inside it. The heating is done normally through a compressor in the winter months. The PCB in the unit is programmed to enable automatic switching to electrical heater mode when the ambient temperature drops below -5 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the compressor is turned off.