2023 Trends in energy-efficiency HVAC technologies

Industry experts share insights about innovative technologies to achieve energy efficiency, design, maintenance and new building technologies, growing trends for energy conservation and the impact of greenhouse gases emission.

HVAC systems are on a growth trajectory. They account for more than 40 percent of energy consumption alone in any building. The next phase of HVAC energy-efficient technologies is innovation.

Higher efficiency equipment can reduce energy use by 50 percent for electric heating and cooling systems. The net-zero emission by 2050 decarbonisation declaration cost-effectively requires an emissions-reduction goal.

HVAC systems are designed following energy standards codes like ASHRAE and LEED certifications for green buildings. Energy Star label rating for appliances requires less energy, which may yield 10-30 percent on annual energy bill savings. Electrification aims to power HVAC systems like clean energy sources via solar or wind energy. Switching to energy-efficient HVAC appliances and equipment will save on cost. The innovative energy efficiency solutions will lead to reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions to mitigate climate change.

Energy Efficiency and design
The thinking behind energy-efficient technologies is excellent. The contention is that the best design system works based on how well it is installed and maintained. While analysing the building, one needs to speak about how a grand building is designed. It is its performance after it has been in operation for a year or two.

HVAC is essential in all our lives. We know how difficult it gets without air conditioning, even for 10 minutes in a building and one minute at home. Mr. Aneesh Kadyan, Senior Executive Director, CBRE South Asia, says, “One of the numerous reasons why a building doesn’t live up to its design potential is how it was built, with all the energy efficiency considerations. However, it is emphasised that this sector is seeing an increase in professional buildings. The industry is getting more professional buildings. The technology is intensive. The awareness of the occupants and the developers is increasing – this aspect of maintainability of buildings.” With better chillers these days, people are witnessing fewer problems. According to Mr. Aneesh, the entire system must be designed for maximum HVAC efficiency, not just manufacturing chillers. The effectiveness of this system is essential to a future with smaller carbon footprints.” However, HVAC systems are improving nowadays.

Chillers design and energy efficiency
Talking about changing trends in the industry, Mr. Achyut R Kulkarni, Applied and Unitary Stream Leader for India and SAARC market, Trane Technologies, says earlier the maintenance contracts were not much into practice. Today the extended warranties and maintenance contracts are getting extended, and some contracts are even extended by ten years. The customers have become energy conscious. The developers, builders, and everybody have become energy-conscious today, and the trend is changing.

We have seen a lot of places where the designs are modified. The designs are limited because the chilled water branches may be modified; extra tappings have been done. This is where the challenge comes in, more or less with a broader prospect. I agree that the designs are optimum and well maintained.”

Further, Ms. Preethi Ramamoorthi, Director, HVAC Systems Pvt. Ltd. said, “The design and maintenance is a very critical part of the entire concept of having any energy conservation in today’s world. At the same time, the subject’s awareness is at its peak right now. It pushes us towards delivering what the client could expect and what needs to be done. Thus, the awareness and the education behind the whole concept plays a vital role.”

Certifications and Regulations
All the latest certifications, which have been popular for the last 5 to 10 years, all talk about the whole building. Also, air conditioning is the largest consumer of energy in a building. So, there is a need to focus on that more than the whole building. So energy is, of course, a significant component of it. But air conditioning is the largest consumer of energy in a building. So, there is a need to focus on that more than the whole building envelope. Look at the building as a system, not a standalone component, to get better outcomes in terms of energy conservation.

ECBC code was formed to cut down electricity use. In 2017, the ECBC codes were released. The energy star labelling programme is currently voluntary and has yet to be fully implemented. The star labelling program has been Indianised to fit our needs, which is beautiful. It has been indigenised for our requirements and climatic conditions, keeping India in mind. Therefore, from the standpoint of the chiller, it has been designed, and most of the equipment is meeting and exceeding the labelling criteria.

“There are various factors that get into it in terms of the energy, energy conservation, the refrigerant, the mechanical component, and the drives. The VFDs have been proven as one of the key levers we have with us in terms of energy savings; if you want to achieve a five-star labelling program or host labelling program, you need to go for a VFD. So the systems have been designed in such a way that it not just meets, but will also exceed the expectations in terms of efficiency levels, says Mr. Achyut.”

Mr. Aneesh takes a different approach. He remarked, “It is observed that it gives some confidence in the customers’ minds as well, on the product reliability, rather than just believing in the manufacturer or a consultant’s guidance. At least in the domestic consumer market, Star labelling has played a great role. ECBC has also upgraded their star rating criteria.” The five-star earlier equipment now is just meeting three stars. So that is a great initiative. And more so because it is also coming into the commercial chiller applications.

Eco-friendly technologies for bigger spaces
It is noted that the majority of the current problems involve VFDs. As a result, we hardly ever encounter issues or other components that do not use VFDs. The sensor for wind technology has recently been introduced, and smart thermostats are already used in several locations. Even the vents of the complete HVAC system have some sensors. Additionally, the conventional fans are changed to simple fans. These new technologies are being used in new projects and the renovation of ones already on the market.

Emphasising the importance of eco-friendly technologies and generating awareness, Dr. Roshini Rebecca Easow, Professor (Rtd.), Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai, says, “It was always good to talk to a captive audience of 60 students who are listening, and then they get aware about other things, the new things: like star labelling, indoor air quality etc. They were sent with CO2 meters to measure CO2 levels. But the big question is, what about the art of measurement and verification.”

Verification and awareness
Giving an industry perspective, Mr. Aneesh stated, “Currently, the industry’s measurement and verification section is highly underdeveloped. In the most developed markets, measurement and verification are separate topics and fields with associated costs. This topic has yet to develop in India, where cost is a primary consideration in many decisions. For a new facility to become operational, many building takeovers are occurring. So the transition process includes many elements related to that. Now, anyone pursuing a LEED certification or any other green certification, such as the US GBC or IGBC, also by a third party, is mandatory. As there is third-party commissioning, they innovate and have primary competence or measurement and verifications.

Most clients now also go for ASHRAE level 1, level 2, and level 3 audits. These are carefully carried out to determine a structure’s actual energy consumption. Therefore, awareness is unquestionably catching up. However, this awareness is spread among a small group, only some of the population. As per a recent study, very close to 50 percent of people are now deciding their purchases based on energy conservation. Earlier, it used to be only the technical people who used to think all about it. But today, even the other side of the fraternity is looking at it. Changes are happening in India.

It is developing, and government participation is in the offing shortly.

Priorities for cooling equipment
Environment and energy are interrelated. Having an energy-efficient product that complies with environmental standards is the main objective. Even if you get the most ecologically friendly refrigerant or overall product, even if you purchase the most energy-efficient machinery, it may not be environmentally friendly. Because there needs to be a balance between energy and the environment, this should be avoided.

In an analysis of the Indian scenario, Dr. Roshini stated, “It is about that particular system with the controls; we expect the controls to behave like a human being’s brain and make things run the proper way. Sometimes those control systems are also not working in the Indian scenario. Sometimes the manufacturer pays much attention to energy efficiency and the environment. An air-conditioning system removes the heat from the inside and throws it outside. We are not concerned about what happens outside, just like we sweep and clean our house and throw the garbage out.”

Ms. Preethi comments, “We are keeping up with this energy conservation, going green with the green building certifications in the market today, along with awareness and education. Even the manufacturers are coming out with better products. Now from a consultant, you get the technical specifications, but the occupants are unaware of what has been installed for them. Then, we go a step further and get in touch with the maintenance team and give them brief instructions and education about if they have installed tomorrow’s technology. So the importance of maintenance and education of what has been installed must be pushed as an organisation.”

One of the eminent factors necessitating the introduction of HVAC technologies is the increase in data centres. the cooling systems contribute significantly to overall operating costs. As an opportunity, make older legacy systems more intelligent and ramp up their efficiencies. There are many legacy systems, from five years to ten years old, that all have the capabilities. So for solutions for existing systems and chillers, improve the efficiencies of products. This will go a long way to minimise the carbon footprint, so it is to be known that both energy and environment from the manufacturers’ point of view should be equally balanced and importance has to be given to both power and environment, and the change is inevitable.