Ventilation becomes critical at design stage for Indian customers

The HVAC industry experienced growth as a solution provider by developing additional features like air filtration capabilities to existing air conditioning systems.

Walk us through your journey and the role you are currently endowed with? 

I am associated with Mitsubishi Electric- Living Environment Division from the time of its inception in India. It has been a wonderful journey of around 15 years where Mitsubishi Electric has grown as a brand to become the most premium and leading one in the HVAC industry. I look after the sales & operations of the AC business in India. In the last decade, we have grown from 02 locations and a handful of channel partners to 20 plus locations of direct presence and 1000 plus channel partners and as a team we all work together to exceed the customer expectations. 

What is your perception about the HVAC solution provider’s market? 

HVAC market can be broadly divided into two categories as per the usage and requirements of the consumers: solution providers for Residential requirements and solution providers for Commercial requirements. Split-type Air Conditioners are a perfect fit for residential usage and the recent trend of 10 year warranty on products is making it more like a product business. Experienced buyers and customers of commercial usage of air conditioners are very well aware about the importance of various other factors in air conditioning like fresh air, humidity, air quality along with temperature. Such knowledgeable customers are investing in a very good HVAC system and are paying for the regular upkeep of the aircon units to maintain proper air quality throughout the life of the aircon system. Ongoing Pandemic situation has increased the awareness about air quality and many people have started to see HVAC as a solution business rather than a product-based market. Individual customisation during designing & installation and regular maintenance is required to meet the customer demand for enhanced air quality. Only a solution provider can customise the aircon to suit the customer requirements. 

With automation and disinfection controls in the current scenario? What do you anticipate in the HVAC market? 

During the Pandemic, the HVAC industry experienced growth as a solution provider by developing additional features like air filtration capabilities to existing air conditioning systems. Many clients opted for various options available in the market to retrofit their existing HVAC systems to reduce the spread of microorganisms through HVAC systems. 

What impact does import of HVAC components have on solution providers and whether the country is developing capabilities in keeping with make in India? 

Currently, many companies are investing in parts and accessories required for an air conditioning system and many OEMs are setting up their factories in India to cater to India and neighbouring countries. The Indian Government has extended various stimulus packages to make India a global manufacturing hub of air conditioning and ancillary parts. 

With an eye on industry demand, what various smart solutions are available for HVAC solution providers? 

Internet of things (IOT) has enabled the connection between a customer and their Air Conditioner through smart devices. Today, customers have complete control of an aircon system in their hands. Integrating with home automation systems or building management systems for seamless operation of HVAC systems is getting popular in India. Most of the HVAC system currently available in in the market can detect its own fault which is helping to rectify the complaints on first visit itself. Your say on intelligent building designers’ connectivity with HVAC solution providers. HVAC solution providers work very closely with intelligent building designers to connect HVAC system with other services and act together to maintain optimum air quality with best efficiency. Existing customers are looking for good air quality and sare solution providers helping the customer to retrofit the existing aircon system to provide the desired air quality for the customer. HVAC sector is undergoing a transition in respect of energy efficiency and climate efficiency. How solution providers are expected to impact the industry? HVAC is one of the largest energy consuming systems in a building and rise in efficiency of a HVAC system directly impacts the overall efficiency of the building. HVAC segment is seeing rapid development and adoption of various technologies to make the HVAC system more efficient. Such fast development coupled with support from government can increase the overall efficiency of system. What future do you see for design aspects in creating solutions as well as developments in ventilation segment of the HVAC sector? Ongoing pandemic has created much more awareness about the proper requirement of ventilation in enclosed spaces. Nowadays, customers are demanding proper ventilation during design stage and are ready to spend for the proper maintenance and smooth working of the ventilation system and air conditioning system. Integrated air conditioning and ventilation solution is widely accepted as per the requirement. An integrated ventilation system and air conditioning system helps in reducing the energy consumption without compromising on quality of the air.