Tecumseh aligns with India’s cooling action plan with energy-efficient compressor products

Mr. Pendam Venkatesh and Mr. Hiroshi Saito talk about the Tecumseh range of compressors for energy efficiency and new technological developments in the Indian market.

Mr. Pendam Venkatesh-

What is your company’s response to the shift towards electrification in the mobility industry and your approach to meeting the refrigeration needs of this market?
Our company manufactures a comprehensive range of compressors, which are distributed worldwide. We also provide value-added systems that contractors can conveniently install. With the growing trend towards electrification in the mobility industry, especially with the advent of electric vehicles, we realise the opportunity to cater to this market’s refrigeration requirements. To that end, we have introduced a line of DC compressors sold under the Master Flux brand, specifically designed for last-mile delivery, battery cooling, and climate control for electric vehicles.

How is Tecumseh aligned with the Indian cooling action plan?
The compressor is any cooling device’s primary component and power consumer. We aim to introduce more energy-efficient products as part of our commitment to India’s cooling action plan. We plan to unveil inverter-based variable speed compressors that will reduce energy consumption. Additionally, we are actively developing new refrigerants and fluids that will help lower greenhouse emissions. These initiatives are part of our global effort, focusing on India.

We have launched a compressor range of R290. Until now, they were being imported into the country. By producing these R290 products in India, we are the first to provide import substitution to our customers. Moreover, our sales engineers and application engineers undergo training programs conducted by us. Whenever we launch a new product globally, Mr. Hiroshi takes the initiative to train people on its utilisation and applications.

What are the special features of the R290?
Refrigerants can have lasting impacts on the environment. To show our commitment to sustainability, we have developed natural refrigerant-based compressors that are suitable for use in freezers and coolers and are also energy-efficient. We need to meet our customers’ energy standards and comply with upcoming regulations that will be in effect from the third quarter of 2023.

How do you ensure compliance with the local and national courts and regulations while designing the HVACR products?
In India, it is mandatory to have compressor products marked with specific standards, and Tecumseh has been one of the first companies to obtain the BAS mark for all its products manufactured in India. Additionally, our exported compressors meet the certification requirements of different markets, such as CEE and VDA certifications for Europe. As a company that caters to various manufacturing markets worldwide from India, we comply with all the regulations for each market.

Can you describe your company’s approach to technician training and how it benefits the broader HVAC industry?
As a component supplier to the industry, we take the initiative to train technicians nationwide. Through our training programs and technical seminars, we aim to troubleshoot any issues in the HVAC system, benefiting the entire industry rather than just our company. The compressor is typically the first component to be affected by any mistakes in the HVAC system. Therefore, we ensure that technicians and servicing teams are extensively trained to maintain and repair HVAC equipment.

Mr. Hiroshi Saito –

Please talk about your global facilities for manufacturing?
Compressor manufacturing facilities are located in India, Brazil, and France, while our condensing unit manufacturing operations are spread across various continents. We have production facilities in France, India, Latin America, and North America to cater to this aspect of our business.

How does your company leverage the cooling capabilities of the systems in HVACR units?
For the compressor’s basic mechanism, there are three mechanisms; one is reciprocating, which is much new technology. Then, there is rotary technology and then the scrawls. In scrawling, we have hermetic technology. There are three basic mechanisms for compressors: reciprocating, rotary, and scroll technology. Hermetic technology is used in the scroll mechanism. The vapour compression system is the foundation of the air conditioning process, with the compressor playing a vital role. This cycle consists of a compressor, condenser, expansion device, and an evaporator, with the cooling and heating functions performed on opposite sides. In each HVACR unit, we harness the cooling capabilities of this system.

Please talk about updating with the latest trends and technologies in the HVACR industry.
We have a vast customer network. Their feedback is critical for us to stay updated with the latest technological advancements and even stay ahead of the curve. We conduct extensive research to keep ourselves well-informed. As the world shifts towards electric vehicles, we have also adapted and developed DC (Direct Current) compressor technology to cool the batteries and components specifically for EVs. This is just one example of how Tecumseh keeps pace with emerging applications.

What’s your commitment to the Indian market?
Regarding India, we have introduced our first product in the R290 range, and we are also working on introducing a few more compressor platforms in the next year. Additionally, we are looking to incorporate inverter technologies to enhance the energy efficiency of the applications built for our customers. We also plan to introduce innovative solutions on the condensing unit side to simplify the installation work for mechanics in the field, providing them with easy-to-install plug-in solutions.