How Hitachi makes green building retrofits possible

Old buildings have a way of telling a community’s story; its identity, heritage, and how it came to be. These structures stand as witnesses to historical moments, events, and milestones, connecting the community’s present to its past.

- By LEN AMADORA

So instead of tearing them down, many people choose to restore these old buildings. And why wouldn’t they? It is a way to preserve history while embracing modern needs. And it is not about being sentimental, either. In many cases, refurbishing is more cost-effective than rebuilding and it supports sustainable urban development.

However, refurbishing an old unit or building often presents modern day challenges, one of the most pressing being energy efficiency. Many outdated structures are equipped with aging infrastructure: obsolete electrical systems, poor insulation, and intrusive cooling systems that can compromise the building’s original aesthetics.

Hitachi addresses these challenges with its SideSmart Variant Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system, the world’s first slim modular VRF unit. Designed for space constrained environments like those with limited floor area, fixed layouts, or those with outdated infrastructures, the SideSmart combines energy efficiency with space optimization.

Given the 2021 Energy Conservation Award in Japan, the Hitachi SideSmart was awarded due to its delivery of high energy savings, where traditional systems fall short. It is designed to tackle real-world challenges, enhancing complex building conditions, space constraints, and evolving energy standards.