Join the FRIGAIR 2025 experience – register

As the buzz grows and exhibition stands are quickly filling, there’s no better time to get involved!

A selection of images from Frigair 2022. © RACA Journal

Be part of one of SAIRAC’s flagship events—the FRIGAIR expo, Africa’s largest dedicated HERVAC trade exhibition, happening from 4-6 June 2025 at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand.

Since its inception in 1980, FRIGAIR has been the go-to platform for industry professionals to connect, learn and grow. This year promises even more energy, innovation and expansion for the HERVAC sector. Join us to discover supplier stands featuring the latest products and seize these valuable opportunities:

• SAIRAC workshops (free)
• SAIRAC training seminars (free)
• A first-ever FRIGAIR Skills Development Hub where skilled artisans can test and hone their skills

Stay tuned for more details on SAIRAC’s upcoming workshops and seminars as they are revealed—don’t miss out! Reserve your spot today and be part of the most anticipated event in the industry.

Another highlight of FRIGAIR 2025 will be the FRIGAIR Skills Development Hub, where six contestants will compete head-to-head in the following challenges:

• Electrical – three-phase motor test and star/delta wiring
• Hand tools
• Refrigeration tubing – bending, flaring, swaging and compression joints
• Installation – pipework, electrical, pressure testing and evacuation
• Commissioning – charging, evacuation, superheat, including recovery

Visitors will have the opportunity to witness these competitors in action. As they work with hazardous gases and brazing equipment, the workstations will be carefully arranged to ensure safety and prevent any harm to onlookers.

Organiser Rory Macnamara is seeking volunteer judges with extensive experience in these tasks, along with contributions toward materials (a list is available upon request), as well as safety gloves and glasses. Training centres are also welcome to submit contestant names. For more information or to get involved, please reach out to Rory Macnamara on 079 436 1829 for further details.

Exciting workshops and seminars coming your way

The final details for the SAIRAC workshops and seminars are almost locked in—so don’t miss out on your chance to be part of the action. Reserve your spot today and get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with top-tier insights and industry-leading speakers.

Workshops organiser, Grant Laidlaw, has substantially increased the number of sessions, which will be finalised over the coming months. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store so far:

Stay tuned for more updates in the April/May issue of Cold Link Africa or the April issue of RACA Journal. This is one event you don’t want to miss—mark your calendars and be part of the future of HVAC&R!

We speak to exhibitors to whet your appetite for FRIGAIR 2025

In this FRIGAIR 2025 preview, we explore a number of exhibiting companies’ plans for the upcoming exhibition and highlight how their continuous growth and innovation work hand-in-hand with their participation in an exhibition which is reshaping the HVAC&R landscape in South Africa and beyond.

We speak to exhibitors to whet your appetite for FRIGAIR 2025

In this FRIGAIR 2025 preview, we explore a number of exhibiting companies’ plans for the upcoming exhibition and highlight how their continuous growth and innovation work hand-in-hand with their participation in an exhibition which is reshaping the HVAC&R landscape in South Africa and beyond.

Smarter, greener, more connected – Testo at FRIGAIR 2025

At FRIGAIR 2025, Testo is set to unveil its latest advancements in HVAC and refrigeration technology, with a particular focus on smart, connected solutions. A key highlight of the exhibition will be Testo’s new range of A3 and A2L connected smart vacuum pumps, designed to enhance efficiency and precision in system maintenance.

These pumps come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, enabling automatic connection to a vacuum gauge to measure both vacuum levels and vacuum decay. Additionally, an internal memory feature allows for data storage and retrieval, providing technicians with seamless access to critical information.

As the industry moves towards more environmentally friendly refrigerants, many of which are flammable, safety and compatibility have become top priorities. Testo is addressing this challenge by ensuring that its new vacuum pumps—and many other products in its lineup—are fully compatible with A3 and A2L refrigerants, supporting the industry’s transition to greener alternatives without compromising on safety or performance.

Beyond product compatibility, Testo is also responding to the growing demand for automation and efficiency in HVAC and refrigeration systems. Simply charging a system to a set pressure is no longer enough to ensure optimal performance. With rising energy costs, technicians require smart, connected tools that not only take precise measurements but also simplify data analysis and reporting. Testo’s connected smart tools allow for simultaneous measurement of multiple pressure, temperature, humidity and airflow points, helping technicians complete their work faster and with greater accuracy.

Digitisation and the Internet of Things (IoT) are shaping the future of the industry, and Testo is part of this transformation. Most of its latest tools now feature WiFi, Bluetooth, or both, allowing seamless integration with the Testo Smart App. This powerful application does more than just record measurements—it enables technicians to perform calculations, track trends and generate reports effortlessly. Reports can be sent directly from a technician’s phone to the client or office before they even leave the site, streamlining workflow and improving service efficiency.

At FRIGAIR 2025, Testo is reaffirming its commitment to innovation, delivering solutions that align with industry trends such as sustainability, automation, and connectivity. By equipping professionals with intelligent, digital tools, Testo is helping drive the future of HVAC and refrigeration—one smart solution at a time.

Innovative industrial refrigeration solutions by Energy Partners Refrigeration

At Energy Partners (Refrigeration), we deliver sustainable, energy-efficient cooling solutions for industrial and commercial clients, specialising in a Cooling as a Service (CaaS) model. Through servitisation, we manage the full lifecycle of refrigeration systems—from design and installation to maintenance and energy optimisation.

Our focus is on providing reliable cooling solutions rather than just selling equipment. Using advanced technology and expertise, we minimise energy use and costs through customised, innovative solutions and our flexible CaaS offering.

At this exhibition, we are showcasing our cutting-edge industrial refrigeration services, which use machine learning to improve system reliability and efficiency. Our technology enables real-time performance tracking, detecting issues early and proactively resolving them before failures occur. By predicting system failures, we help businesses reduce downtime, optimise maintenance and improve overall efficiency.

Our AI-driven solution transforms traditional refrigeration systems into intelligent, self-monitoring assets, ensuring peak performance and cost savings. Visit our stand to see how our innovation is shaping the future of predictive maintenance and smart refrigeration management.

Introducing the eZi-View Edge data visualisation by iLED

As iLED prepares to showcase its innovative solutions at FRIGAIR, Ivan Potter, founder and CEO of i4 Groupand MD of iLED, emphasises the importance of the Group’s advancements in shaping the future of HVAC controls. “We’re not just launching new products; we’re driving the industry forward with connected, secure and intelligent systems that will change the way building management works.”

There are exciting developments from both Distech Controls and eZiControl. Distech released their award winning Eclypse IP controllers with onboard display and Eclypse Connected Controller Platform with Atrius Cloud Applications. These products position Distech at the forefront of moving BMS into the future of connecting people with intelligent buildings through forward thinking technologies and services.

On the eZiControls front the group is releasing a range of displays and controls which will be formally introduced at FRIGAIR, where Potter will also present further details on the company’s plans and vision for the future of the HVAC market.

Potter reveals that i4 Group is gearing up to launch a new range of locally manufactured displays and controls at FRIGAR 2025. Three products have recently been released:

• Smart Edge input-output devices: These devices offer flexible configuration options to monitor and control various inputs and outputs, catering to diverse HVAC requirements.
• Smart Edge communication devices: Potter illustrates the significance of these devices with a practical example involving a hospital’s need to monitor oxygen levels in remote tanks. The smart communication devices enable data transmission through various methods such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or 4G, eliminating the need for costly cable installations, particularly in remote monitoring scenarios.
• Visualisation devices: Recognising the demand for graphical representation of data, iLED introduced visualisation devices designed to enhance data interpretation. These touchscreen displays provide intuitive visuals, allowing users to easily comprehend complex data sets and trends, empowering users to make informed decisions and take prompt actions as needed.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the eZi-View family of edge data visualisation products, designed to make your data insights clearer, faster and more intuitive. Whether you’re managing complex systems or monitoring environments, eZi-View delivers powerful, customisable visualisation tools that are as easy to use as they are effective,” says Potter.

“At the core of eZi-View is our innovative widget-based interface. These customisable graphic elements transform raw data into meaningful visual representations, allowing you to interpret information at a glance. From bars and sliders to LED indicators and meters, each widget has been designed with functionality in mind, highlighting normal and abnormal conditions through intuitive colour coding.”

What sets eZi-View apart is its flexibility. “With edgeUP, our free, user-friendly configuration tool, there’s no need for graphic design experience. Simply configure and customise widgets to match your needs. You can even configure widgets to control system values like setpoints, all with password protection for added security. Group related widgets together in screen tabs—think ‘Room 1’ and ‘Room 2’—for an organised layout that’s as functional as it is clear.

“Plus, with the eZi-View-SIM1 simulator, you can test your configurations in real time, ensuring your designs are perfect before deployment. The eZi-View family offers a library of resources to help you learn the ropes, and our technical support packages are always available should you need assistance. If you’d like to skip the design work altogether, we also offer professional design services to create your screens for you,” says Potter.

At its heart, eZi-View is all about simplicity and power. The visualisation system uses a register table to connect widgets, which can be easily configured via the edgeUP app. Data flows seamlessly through Modbus, allowing users to read, write and update values with ease, all while maintaining a clean, organised interface that makes monitoring and adjustments a breeze.

The eZi-COM-DSP platform, currently available in 480×320 3.5” display (eZi-COM-DSP-1) with more models to follow, provides the flexibility to fit unique application. Future models support even more display options and are adding a temperature sensor to the eZi-COM-DSP-1 in 2025, with a panel-mount option coming soon.

Key features at a glance:

• Customisable widgets: Visualise data in a way that makes sense with a variety of graphical elements
• Touch control: Set values like setpoints directly through touch-enabled widgets, with password protection for security
• Zero tech skill configuration: Build screen layouts with ease using edgeUP—no graphic design skills required
• Free tools: Get started quickly with the eZi-View-SIM1 simulator and the edgeUP configuration tool
• Flexible licensing: Match needs with a license that scales with application, including how many widgets, tabs and displays are allowed
• eZi-COM hardware: A range of displays, starting with 480×320, supporting Modbus RTU, with more sizes to come
• Future-proof: iLed is continuously updating and expanding the eZi-View family with new features, sizes and options

AERSA presents the GKY accessories range for ducted units

Rhuan Vivier, AERSA sales engineer, highlights the company’s showcase at FRIGAIR 2025, featuring the GKY Accessories Range Ducted Unit, designed for improved efficiency and easier maintenance. Unlike traditional systems, the GKY range eliminates common access hatch issues, simplifying planning and maintenance for architects and engineers.

Additionally, AERSA will present Oxycom’s Oxyvap Pads, offering enhanced cooling performance with marine-grade aluminum and hydrophilic coatings. These pads achieve 90% evaporation efficiency, providing up to 21% energy savings, 55% improved EER and 22% increased cooling capacity, as proven in recent case studies.

Vivier notes that these innovations address key industry challenges, including:

• Energy efficiency and sustainability: Eco-friendly refrigerants like R1234ze and R290, plus water-based solutions from Oxycom, align with green building standards for energy-conscious designs.
• Smart technology: The GKY Range enhances collaboration between architects and engineers, while Oxycom’s pads optimise performance and reduce energy use.
• “We’re proud to support eco-friendly and automated solutions, with IoT-enabled systems that adjust to seasonal and peak conditions for improved efficiency and reliability,” says Vivier. AERSA’s products also embrace IoT and AI integration, offering remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy savings, ensuring optimal performance for critical applications like cold storage.

TCL’s innovative technologies on display

At FRIGAIR 2925, TCL South Africa is launching and/or profiling its:

• R32 Midwall range
• Free Match R32 range
• VRV

Anthony Paul, TCL AC Sales Manager, shares, “TCL’s air conditioning products are crafted to adapt to the industry’s evolving needs, emphasising energy efficiency, sustainability and smart technology integration.”

TCL’s air conditioning solutions incorporate advanced technologies to align with industry trends, tackling challenges like energy efficiency, sustainability and the integration of smart systems. With advanced inverter technology, many models can save up to 50% more energy than non-inverter systems by adjusting compressor speed to maintain a consistent temperature. Several models also hold Energy Star certification, meeting international energy efficiency standards and reducing operational costs and carbon footprints.

Sustainability is a core focus for TCL, as seen in their use of eco-friendly refrigerants like R32 and R410a, which have a lower global warming potential, and recyclable materials in both the design and packaging of their units. Features such as Eco mode further optimise energy consumption while ensuring comfort.

TCL also integrates smart technology, offering smart home compatibility with systems like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for easy control via voice or smartphone. The AI-powered climate control adjusts settings based on user preferences and external conditions, while IoT connectivity via the TCL Home app provides remote monitoring and scheduling, ensuring convenience and energy savings.

For health and comfort, TCL air conditioners include multi-stage air filtration to remove dust, allergens and bacteria, and ioniser technology that purifies the air. 4D airflow ensures even temperature distribution, eliminating hot or cold spots.

Built for durability and adaptability, TCL’s units operate efficiently under unstable power conditions with wide voltage operation and are optimised for tropical climates, making them ideal for regions like South Africa.

The FRIGAIR exhibition is owned by the South African Institute for Refrigeration and Airconditioning (SAIRAC) and managed through organisers Interact Media Defined and Specialised Exhibitions – a division of the Montgomery Group.

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