Actia CoolSave Desiccant Wheel Based AC Energy Saving Solution

In tropical climates like Indonesia, HVAC systems do more than just lower temperatures; they must also manage humidity. Field data consistently shows that air conditioning accounts for 50–87% of a building’s total electricity bill in Indonesia—averaging 65% across 110 audited buildings—while HVAC systems are responsible for 74% of total operational emissions in commercial buildings. Actia Carbon offers a waste-heat or solar-powered desiccant wheel retrofit solution designed to drive energy savings and decarbonization. Actia CoolSave helps decouple part of the dehumidification process from conventional cooling systems, creating opportunities to optimize HVAC energy consumption without the need to replace the entire air conditioning system.
Check CoolSave Eligibility for Your Facility
In many commercial buildings, HVAC accounts for one of the largest shares of energy consumption. A benchmarking study of 33 office buildings in Indonesia reported that HVAC systems contribute approximately 64.7% of total building energy consumption. This figure highlights a key point:
  • Given the high energy consumption associated with HVAC, optimizing the air conditioning system offers significant potential for savings.
  • However, replacing the entire air conditioning system is not always the first course of action.
  • If the existing equipment is still viable, an HVAC retrofit can serve as an alternative to incrementally improve system performance.

AC Challenges in Tropical Climates: Heat and Humidity

Outdoor air in Indonesia has a high water vapor content. When humid air enters an HVAC system, the air conditioner must perform two tasks: cooling the air and reducing its moisture content. The process of removing moisture is known as dehumidification or latent load control. In facilities with strict relative humidity (RH) requirements or high moisture loads, this aspect presents a significant opportunity for energy optimization.

What Is a Desiccant Wheel?

A desiccant wheel is a rotating dehumidification device that uses desiccant material to absorb water vapor from an airflow. After the material absorbs moisture, the wheel is regenerated using heat so that it can be reused. Unlike approaches that rely entirely on cooling coils for dehumidification, a desiccant system allows the moisture-removal process to be carried out specifically.
  • Humid air
  • Desiccant Wheel
  • Air with lower humidity
  • Existing AC System
  • Room air that better meets the target
This approach opens up opportunities to reduce the latent load on the cooling system.

How Does Actia CoolSave Work?

Actia CoolSave integrates a desiccant wheel with the facility’s existing HVAC system. The heat source for desiccant regeneration can be drawn from energy available on-site, including:
  • waste heat,
  • boiler heat,
  • industrial process heat,
  • heat from specific equipment,
  • or solar thermal energy.
Through this approach, available thermal energy can be utilized as part of the dehumidification process. It is not just about adding equipment. We look at the entire system: HVAC + humidity + heat source + controls + energy consumption + performance data.
  • HVAC
  • HUMIDITY
  • HEAT SOURCE
  • CONTROL
  • ENERGY CONSUMPTION
  • PERFORMANCE DATA

What Makes CoolSave Different?

Retrofitting, Not Automatic Replacement HVAC systems that are still viable do not need to be immediately dismantled. CoolSave is designed to evaluate the feasibility of integrating dehumidification technology into existing systems. The final outcome is determined through an engineering assessment.

Utilizing Available Thermal Energy

If a facility has suitable waste heat, that source can be utilized for desiccant regeneration. This creates opportunities for heat recovery and improved HVAC efficiency. For locations lacking adequate waste heat, solar thermal or other heat sources can be considered.

Data-Driven Savings

We do not apply a single savings figure to all buildings. Potential savings are influenced by:
  • HVAC capacity,
  • temperature conditions,
  • relative humidity,
  • latent load,
  • airflow,
  • operating hours,
  • equipment efficiency,
  • electricity rates,
  • and the regeneration heat source.
Therefore, the CoolSave business case begins with your facility’s data.

How Much Savings Can Be Achieved?

The answer varies for each facility. Two buildings with identical air conditioning capacities do not necessarily share the same savings potential. Differences in occupancy, relative humidity (RH), outdoor conditions, operating hours, and HVAC configurations can lead to varying results. Therefore, Actia conducts an assessment to calculate: Energy Baseline What is the current energy consumption? Latent Load What is the magnitude of the moisture load that must be handled? Heat Availability Is there usable waste heat available? Retrofit Potential How can a desiccant wheel be integrated? Financial Potential What are the estimated savings, investment costs, and payback period? Savings of up to 40% may be achievable under certain conditions, but this is not a guaranteed figure for every project.

From kWh to Rupiah

Energy savings only hold business significance when translated into reduced operating costs. For illustration: 100,000 kWh in annual savings assuming an electricity rate of: Rp1,000/kWh translates to approximately: Rp100 million in annual energy savings. Actual figures will, of course, depend on the specific tariff, operational profile, and facility measurement data. For industrial customers, PLN tariffs vary by category and time period. Since tariffs are subject to change, project calculations should utilize the customer’s actual tariff at the time the business case is developed.

More Than Just Energy Savings

CoolSave for Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization When HVAC electricity consumption decreases, energy consumption from the power grid can also be reduced. This can form part of programs for:
  • energy efficiency,
  • carbon reduction,
  • sustainability,
  • ESG,
  • and decarbonization roadmaps.
CoolSave helps provide the data needed to link: Energy baseline → Measurement → Energy savings → Estimated emission reductions Emission calculations are performed based on project boundaries, methodologies, and relevant emission factors.

Monitoring Makes Savings Easier to Understand

Following the retrofit, system performance can be monitored via relevant parameters such as: Energy
  • kWh
  • demand
  • operating hours
Air conditions
  • temperature
  • relative humidity
  • airflow
System performance
  • HVAC operating conditions
  • desiccant parameters
  • regeneration heat source
This data helps the engineering team determine whether the system is operating according to design and identify where opportunities for optimization still exist.

What Types of Facilities Should Consider CoolSave?

Industry & Manufacturing Especially facilities with large-scale HVAC systems and process heat sources. Opportunities: Energy efficiency + heat recovery. Pharmaceuticals & Food Processing Facilities requiring strict humidity control. Opportunities: Dehumidification + RH control + HVAC optimization. Hospitals & Laboratories Areas requiring controlled air conditions and long operating hours. Opportunities: Humidity management + energy optimization. Hotels Buildings with high HVAC loads and round-the-clock operations. Opportunities: Dehumidification load reduction + energy cost optimization. Office Buildings Especially large buildings with dominant HVAC systems and long operating hours. Opportunities: HVAC retrofitting + energy monitoring.

When Should You Consider CoolSave?

CoolSave is worth considering if your facility meets several of the following conditions:
  • High HVAC electricity consumption
  • Long operating hours for the air conditioning system
  • High moisture load
  • Strict Relative Humidity (RH) targets
  • Availability of waste heat
  • Space available for installation and duct integration
  • Existing HVAC system is still in good working condition
  • The company has energy reduction targets
  • The company is implementing ESG or decarbonization programs
Not every facility requires a desiccant wheel. That is precisely why an assessment is the first step.

What Actia Does

1. Assessment

We assess the condition of the facility and the operating HVAC system. Data available for analysis includes:
  • electricity consumption,
  • AC capacity,
  • temperature,
  • RH,
  • airflow,
  • operating hours,
  • and heat sources.
2. Energy & Humidity We identify:
  • sensible load,
  • latent load,
  • dehumidification needs,
  • heat recovery opportunities,
  • as well as HVAC operating conditions.
3. Engineering Design If the assessment results indicate promising potential, the design can be developed based on:
  • desiccant wheel capacity,
  • airflow,
  • regeneration temperature,
  • heat source,
  • heat exchanger,
  • ducting,
  • and control system.
4. Business Case You gain an overview of:
  • estimated energy savings,
  • estimated electricity cost reductions,
  • investment requirements,
  • operational considerations,
  • and the estimated payback period.
5. Retrofit & Commissioning Once the design is approved, the system is integrated with the existing facilities and commissioned.
6. Monitoring & Reporting System performance can be monitored using energy data and operating parameters. This data can serve as a basis for performance evaluation and the documentation of savings.

What Do You Get?

For companies wishing to determine the feasibility of a retrofit.
  • HVAC system review
  • Energy consumption analysis
  • Temperature & RH analysis
  • Latent load identification
  • Heat source identification
  • Preliminary energy savings
  • Investment estimate
  • Payback estimate
For facilities that already have a positive business case.
  • Engineering design
  • Desiccant wheel system
  • Heat source integration
  • Control system
  • Installation
  • Commissioning
CoolSave Energy & ESG For companies requiring performance and sustainability data.
  • Energy baseline
  • Monitoring
  • Energy saving calculation
  • Emission reduction calculation
  • Reporting
  • MRV documentation
If third-party verification is required, the mechanism and verifier are determined based on the applicable standards or methodologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Actia CoolSave be installed on existing air conditioning units?
It is worth considering. CoolSave is a retrofit approach designed to evaluate integration with existing HVAC systems. Feasibility is determined through an engineering assessment.
Suitable for specific applications, particularly when humidity constitutes a significant portion of the HVAC load. Feasibility depends on the facility’s conditions.
The system requires energy for components such as fans, controls, and auxiliary equipment. However, the desiccant regeneration process can utilize available heat sources, thereby optimizing electrical energy consumption.
Yes, provided the temperature, capacity, continuity, and location of the heat source meet the regeneration requirements.
Solar thermal or other heat sources can be considered as alternatives.
Not necessarily. CoolSave focuses on retrofit opportunities for existing systems that are still viable.
There is no universal figure. Potential savings are calculated based on actual facility data.
Yes, hotels with high HVAC loads and dehumidification requirements can be candidates for an assessment.
Yes, especially if the factory has a significant HVAC load and a source of waste heat that can be utilized.
Yes. Energy-saving data can be used as part of emission reduction calculations and documentation, provided appropriate methodologies and emission factors are applied.
REQUEST COOLSave ASSESSMENT

Don’t Start by Purchasing Equipment

Start by Understanding the Potential Before investing funds in an HVAC retrofit, you need to know:

Is there an opportunity for savings?

What is its economic value?

Is a heat source available?

What is the required investment?

What is the estimated payback period?

That is why Actia begins the CoolSave process with an assessment, rather than with equipment sales. Check Your Facility’s HVAC Efficiency Potential If you face high HVAC electricity bills, humidity issues, or unutilized waste heat at your facility, CoolSave may be worth further analysis. Submit your facility’s baseline data. The Actia team can help evaluate:
  • HVAC
  • Humidity
  • Waste Heat
  • Energy Saving
  • Financial Return
  • Emission Reduction