Merck Philippines: Evaluating COOLNOMIX Energy Savings in a Commercial VRF System
A JLL Pilot Demonstrating the Potential for Reduced Compressor Electricity Consumption. This original narrative presents the reported measurements, published adjusted figures, tariff revaluations and practical implications for Philippine commercial facility owners.
Project Background & Measured Results
Commercial VRF System at Merck Philippines
In a published JLL evaluation presentation (dated April 25, 2023), COOLNOMIX technology was assessed on a commercial VRF installation at Merck Philippines. Baseline measurements ran from April 26 to May 26, 2022, and trial measurements ran from March 3 to March 31, 2023. Because the baseline and trial periods were not simultaneous, seasonal weather, operating schedules, building occupancy and equipment loading are essential considerations when interpreting the data.
- Industry
- Pharmaceutical / Commercial Office
- Country
- Philippines
- Equipment Scope
- 43 VRF indoor units, 8 outdoor compressors
- Device Quantity
- 8 AC-01 units (per COOLNOMIX management confirmation)
- Reporting Source
- JLL pilot presentation (internal compliance record)
- Measurement Basis
- Direct submetered compressor electricity (kWh/day)
| Measurement | Result |
|---|---|
| Baseline compressor consumption | 3,311 kWh/day |
| Trial compressor consumption | 2,822 kWh/day |
| Difference | 489 kWh/day |
| Direct meter-to-meter reduction | 14.77% |
| Published adjusted result (0.70 factor) | 21.1% |
Formula: (3,311 − 2,822) / 3,311 × 100 = 14.769% (~14.77%). The published 21.1% uses a 0.70 adjustment factor; the technical justification for that factor was not independently established in the presentation.
Note: The payback and carbon figures are manufacturer-presentation estimates, not independently audited outcomes. Merck's actual purchase price is not documented and cannot be inferred.
Electricity Tariff Comparison: Historical vs. Planning Tariff
The financial value of verified electricity savings increases when avoidable electricity tariffs rise. A cooling system that saves the exact same physical kilowatt-hours delivers greater peso savings under modern utility rates.
- Reported annual energy saved
- 129,096 kWh
- Historical reported cost savings
- ₱1,257,933 / yr
- Derived from
- ₱1,257,933 ÷ 129,096 kWh
- Same annual energy saved
- 129,096 kWh
- Illustrative annual value
- ₱1,742,796 / yr
- Additional annual value
- +₱484,863 / yr (+38.54%)
What Can Philippine Facility Owners Learn from This Case?
Measure Compressors Separately
Cooling savings occur at the compressor. Whole-building meters dilute cooling optimization signals; submetering eligible equipment provides clear verification.
Energy vs. Financial Metrics
Kilowatt-hours saved is the physical performance metric. Financial savings depend on the avoidable tariff at the time electricity is saved.
Tariff Leverage
As Philippine electricity tariffs rise, the peso value of every verified kilowatt-hour saved increases without requiring additional capital investment.
Pilots De-Risk Decisions
A 14–28 day baseline followed by a 14–28 day trial provides facility-specific data before committing to multi-building or portfolio-wide capital expenditure.
Device Count ≠ Indoor Units
At Merck, 43 VRF indoor units were served by eight compressors and eight AC-01 devices. Device quantity requires compressor-connector technical review.
Direct vs. Adjusted Results
Management should always distinguish direct unadjusted meter readings (14.77%) from adjusted figures (21.1%) and evaluate the technical justification.
All Case Studies
Merck Philippines (JLL Commercial VRF Pilot)
- Equipment
- VRF system — 43 indoor units, 8 outdoor compressors, 8 AC-01 devices
- Date
- Baseline: Apr 26–May 26, 2022 | Trial: Mar 3–31, 2023 | Presentation: 25 Apr 2023
- Reported savings
- 14.77% direct meter-to-meter | 21.1% published adjusted
- Measurement basis
- Meter-to-meter compressor electricity: 3,311 kWh/day baseline → 2,822 kWh/day trial
A published pilot evaluation of eight COOLNOMIX AC-01 devices on a commercial VRF system. Direct meter-to-meter compressor consumption dropped from 3,311 to 2,822 kWh/day (489 kWh/day reduction, 14.77%). The manufacturer's presentation also published an adjusted figure of 21.1% using a 0.70 factor, for which the technical basis has not been independently established.
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Case summaries use original wording and link to source materials. CoolIndoors does not reproduce third-party customer logos or copyrighted reports without permission. Savings figures are project-specific and do not constitute a guarantee of performance in other facilities.