Describes a gas-energised desiccant cold-air and heating unit developed for commercial applications such as fast-food restaurants. States the unit provides all required heating and cooling without the use of refrigeration and at significantly lower energy cost than a conventional electric-powered system. Describes the integrated desiccant heating/cooling system and a comparative study of the energy use and cost of the gas unit and a vapour-compression air-to-air heat pump system operating in a typical 2000 ft² (186 m²) fast-food restaurant in Brooklyn, New York.

KEYWORDS: Air conditioning, desiccants, restaurants, heating, cooling, heat pumps, air air heat pumps, compression heat pumps, gas fired.