The HVAC industry focuses on sustainability, design and technologies to improve energy efficiency and operational performance in installations and maintenance. Ajaj Kazi, PMP from USA and Execution Head, MEP at Reliance Industries, shares insights into the factors driving growth in the air conditioning industry, the impact of sustainability on innovation, and needed considerations for efficacious HVAC system installation.
What factors are currently driving the growth of the air conditioning industry, globally and regionally?
In India, the factors enabling growth in the air conditioning industry are mainly urbanisation and a push from the government for infrastructure and manufacturing. Airconditioner is no longer a luxury. It is becoming a need. With rapid urbanisation, the need for residential and commercial air conditioners is also increasing.
Globally, energy-efficient system retrofits and the rapid growth of data centres are some of the enablers for growth in the air conditioning industry. HVAC systems are energy guzzlers. Efforts should be made to have the most energy-efficient and sustainable system.
How does sustainability influence innovation and competition in the air conditioning market?
AC systems are energy guzzlers and contribute significantly to GHG emissions. Make efforts to use energy-efficient products and components in AC systems. Most importantly, the system should operate efficiently and smartly. A lot of innovation is happening in products and the operation of systems. Hence, innovations like SMART AC, IoT, and AI are taking the lead.
It will increase pressure on manufacturers and integrators to provide systems that are most energy efficient, smart and sustainable. Consumer awareness also leads to the installation of the most energy-efficient systems. One who takes the lead in providing the most efficient, Smart, sustainable products and systems at optimum cost will have an edge in this competitive market.
How BMS in HVAC systems can improve energy efficiency in huge facilities?
BMS plays a very significant role in ensuring the HVAC system runs efficiently. The utilisation of BMS is a little. The focus has to be on planning first. The planning of the BMS system must have a purpose and goal of energy efficiency. Stakeholder coordination plays a critical role in getting all the details of communication and controls. The major work is done for testing and commissioning. Hence, having a third-party commissioning team should ensure that the integration is 100 percent and there are no gaps. The system should be handed over to users only when 100 percent integration is there.
Apart from this, users or facility managers ensure that correct operational inputs are given to the BMS team so that the system works in optimum conditions. Once the system is in operation, the BMS data provides inputs and trends. It should be analysed to take corrective action to ensure the system works for optimum energy efficiency.
What latest technologies in recent HVAC projects installation and commissioning have delivered significant results?
Various tools are available to increase speed, ensure better quality and safety, and minimise cost. Battery-operated tools are available for activities like drilling, cutting, lifting, and shifting, which are safe and increase speed.
An important step for the installation is the prefabrication of work outside the project sites. It will help reduce the completion timelines of a project. It has many other advantages like consistency in quality and safety, wastage reduction, speed and overall project.
For commissioning, many pieces of equipment are available with Smart features that provide the data directly. These data are available on mobile apps connected to equipment.
What essential design considerations must be considered when planning an HVAC system installation?
When planning HVAC system installations, it is crucial to avoid oversizing the system, as this can increase operating costs.
The sequence of work needs planning and should be practical; it is better to gather inputs from the execution team. Safety aspects for installation must also be considered. Furthermore, proper testing, commissioning, and maintenance access should be planned to facilitate ongoing system performance and reliability.
Details regarding measurement points, probes, drains, and vents must be carefully planned. Lastly, incorporating lessons learned from past projects can improve the planning process, which leads to efficiency in future installations.
What are the long-term benefits of using BIM in HVAC system maintenance and retrofits?
BIM helps in the execution, HVAC maintenance and future retrofits. BIM can provide inputs for all services, which can help with maintenance. Most of the time, the maintenance team spends a lot of time identifying a service. BIM can also provide the exact details and specifications of the equipment and components with spare needs. The maintenance team do not need to go to the equipment to take the details physically. One can schedule maintenance by integrating BIM with other facility management and procurement software. That also helps procure and maintain proper inventory and respond quickly in emergencies.
BIM is an important input for any modification like retrofit. The only important point is the BIM must be ASBUILT.
How do quality control measures in HVAC installations impact system performance?
Quality is everyone’s responsibility, starting with planning and effective communication. The quality plan and goals must be in place before the start of the project. The goals must be measurable and in line with project requirements. The process for each activity and method statement must be derived based on these goals. The plan, goals, process method statement, etc. must be communicated to all stakeholders, including the workmen who deliver the work. Everyone must be on the same platform. The aspect is correct supervision. The competency of workmen and supervisors is critical. It is useful to have checklists for every activity, including material inspections, and the same must be implemented and followed rigorously.
I have found that we get the best equipment and components for our system. But the same is not installed. Not installing the best equipment and components will adversely impact system performance.
What safety measures and standards should be prioritised during HVAC installation to ensure compliance and operational ease?
Like quality, safety is our responsibility. Everyone is responsible for ensuring there is no incident and everyone goes back safely after working at the site. The correct induction process for every individual who enters the site, daily toolbox talk, having a permit system to work, creating a safe workplace before the start of work, ensuring the tools, equipment, and instruments are safe to use, proper vigil while working at the site are some of the important steps to ensure safety at the site. Incidents happen due to unsafe behaviour or unsafe conditions. Discipline and strict rules are important for unsafe behaviours.
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