How is the demand for HVAC&R services growing in India?
-The HVAC&R market in India is poised for rapid growth due to a number of changes in the Indian economy and society, as well as easier availability of A/C products, which constitutes the bulk of the HVAC segment in the market. The Indian central AC market is expected to reach $2.3Billion by 2015. This growth will be driven by various internal facets of the industry.
Newer energy-efficient chillers, such as centrifugal and scroll types, are expected to outpace reciprocating and screw chillers, which are less energy-efficient. Tighter regulations and stricter enforcement of building codes as well as energy-efficiency standards and practices will also drive growth and attract more foreign players to the market.
What are the prominent stumbling blocks that are hindering the growth of this industry, in India?
-The key stumbling blocks that we see hindering the growth in India are: (no. 1) slowdown in the economy over the last three years, particularly in the infrastructure area, (no. 2) insufficient mega initiatives – like cold chain facilities or large infra projects like metro rail or airport – have materialised and (no. 3) intense competition in the consumer HVAC market coupled with low quality imports.
How can you help the industry grow as long as India remains a power-starved country?
-It is extremely important to have energy efficient products so that the overall consumption is reduced. We at UL are helping the industry by setting up laboratories / testing infrastructure to ensure compliance, we are also working with industry bodies / regulators in writing standards.
UL works with regulatory bodies like the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), BIS – in not only understanding the regulatory framework – but also is closely developing the implementation mechanism for those regulations.
How can we use more sunlight to run our HVAC&R systems efficiently?
-A commercial solar energy system generates electricity from the sun’s rays to power a building’s HVAC system. Made up of PhotoVoltaic (PV) cells, the system’s solar modules harvest the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that can be used to power HVAC units, lights, computers and other electrical devices. In many states across India, this may allow business owners to take advantage of incentives to lower operating costs. The solar modules feed electricity directly to the solar-ready rooftop unit (HVAC) at a single point of connection, using the converted power to run the building’s central heating and cooling system.
When the rooftop unit is not operating, excess solar energy is supplied to other devices that use electricity, such as lighting, fans, computers and more. If the system generates more power than the building needs, it is sent back to local electric grid. To further increase efficiency, a communication module provides real-time online monitoring of system status, energy production and environmental benefits. The monitoring system provides data to offer a true picture of the environmental impact and savings achieved.
UL plays an important role in these kinds of energy saving systems; we understand that if even one of the products fails, the whole BMS will come to a standstill. Hence, we ensure the energy saving systems in places is not only cost effective but also compliant to the standard requirements.
What are the areas that urgently need to be revamped to enhance efficiency of the sector?
-The key areas that need to be addressed are: Life cycle cost (which is installed cost, operation and maintenance cost) and manufacturing energy efficiency products. Importance to the quality and specifications during manufacturing of the HVAC&R products ensures lesser failure rates. An integrated approach should be followed by all the stake holders, from developers, architects, project managers, manufacturers, contractors, facility managers to make the products energy efficient.
How can we improve product and operating personnel’s safety through following compliance regulations?
-As global energy consumption continues to increase, the race to build more energy-efficient products intensifies. HVAC/R equipment manufacturers, in particular, are innovating to meet stricter, mandatory efficiency regulations around the world. Product and consumer safety is the need of the hour – and compliance to the standards and regulations by the manufacturers will ensure in enhancing the same. By following the product safety standards, the manufacturers can ensure that their products are safe to be used by their customers – and also conduct stricter design reviews in order to solve problems with previous products.
How can UL help in the process?
-UL offers a portfolio of performance or efficiency testing services and safety conformity assessment solutions and certification services for manufacturers of household appliances, HVAC and refrigeration equipment. Our laboratory in Chennai offers testing to the complete range air conditioners and the components that go inside them. For the commercial and household refrigerators our Centre of Excellence in Manesar offers complete performance and safety testing.
UL identifies the critical standards and requirements for a manufacturer’s product and also seamlessly delivers multiple international marks or the specific mark that a manufacturer requires to enable access to target markets.
The UL Energy Efficiency facility also assists customers in obtaining Global Product Certifications such as cULus, CE, ENEC, ENERGY STAR, IEC CB Scheme etc. The facility is NABL Accredited, assessed under the standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories. From appliances to HVAC/R, lighting to roofing, televisions to servers, UL has the technical expertise to deliver outstanding service to help manufacturers meet the market’s demand for proven energy efficient products.
What are the most essential steps that we need to take to raise our HVAC/R systems to the global standard? How will it help in growing our global business?
-Industry bodies, such as BIS and BEE, have been working on measures developing frameworks to raise the HVAC&R systems to global standards. Initiatives such as launch Star Labelling Program, Indian green building movement promoted by IGBC are few campaigns that mark the commitment of Indian government to elevate the HVAC&R industry. We at UL have services that are designed to help our customers cut through compliance complexity and fasten the process of bringing safer products to the global market.
UL’s global network of laboratories includes five facilities dedicated to meeting the needs of the appliance and HVAC industries. Our appliance and HVAC&R team has unparalleled expertise in the design review process. We work closely with our customers to help them plan for and meet compliance demands for energy efficiency programmes, including ENERGY STAR.
What would you like to communicate to the decision makers of the Indian industry?
As India has shown signs of more proactive engagement on climate change issues both internationally and at home, these are major steps that we can implement within the country where we can ensure basic regulatory requirements for quality products entering our market. Also, if we see… countries like U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia are far ahead in implementing these standards of EE & Safety with greater importance and focus to safeguard energy requirement for their countries.
