HVAC system maintenance embraces auto tube cleaning systems

With increased focus on improved Indoor air quality; there will be a greater thrust towards retrofitting components that enhance the air quality.

In the building sector, HVAC systems are critical for the efficient functioning of the buildings as well as wellbeing of the occupants. As organisations return to office in 2022, HVAC systems will be in focus, with building owners looking at upgrading their systems as well as introducing new technologies such as better filtration systems. 

Talking about HVACR industry outlook in 2022, Aneesh Kadyan, Senior Executive Director, CBRE South Asia Pvt. Ltd., says with increased focus on improved IAQ, there will be a greater thrust towards retrofitting components that enhance the air quality. Operating margins will also be under pressure. Hence, there will be a pull demand from building owners for improving efficiency of the chiller plants and other HVAC system components. This will drive manufacturers to bring in innovative technologies and products that will address requirements of leaner and more efficient operations which is expected to bring in benefits to both the users as well as suppliers of HVAC systems. 

Upcoming trends in smart HVACR systems 

HVAC systems are the major energy consumers in a building and thus, there will be a focus from the O & M teams in buildings to optimise operating costs. Introduction of IoT based remote monitoring of system components is a key technology that has started gaining traction in building HVAC operations. The ability to monitor, collect and analyse data dynamically to run the Chiller plant in an optimised manner will be the way forward. Artificial Intelligence will also see increasing usage in the HVAC industry. AI based algorithms that get inputs not only from HVAC components but also external variables such as weather data will be used to control system components more minutely, resulting in more efficient operations. 

Measures for air quality and ventilation 

Ventilation plays a key role in maintaining a high standard of air quality in work spaces. The pandemic has reiterated the need for clean and healthy air and the HVAC industry has risen to the challenge in meeting this requirement. Retrofitting AHU’s with higher efficiency filtration systems, use of UVGI to sterilise air flows, integration of ElectroStatic Precipitator systems are the most common approaches building owners are taking to provide good quality air for the occupants. There is also an increasing need felt by the HVAC O & M teams to demonstrate the quality of the air within work spaces and this resulted in the introduction of advanced IAQ online measurement systems that provide a dashboard of key building air quality parameters in real time. 

Automation trends visible in HVAC industry

The shortage of trained manpower in the last 2 years has helped accelerate the automation of many aspects of the HVAC ecosystem in buildings. Building Management Systems are now being upgraded to cover not just the chiller operations, but also other system components such as AHU, Cooling towers, pumps etc. Automation is also being introduced in HVAC system maintenance by introducing Auto Tube cleaning systems, using automatic blowdown controller for cooling tower etc.