Gone are the days when having a heating, ventilating & air conditioning (HVAC) system was considered a luxury affordable by very few. In fact, as DS Raghuvanshi, GM-MEP, K Raheja Corp says, it is now an absolute necessity for human comfort as well as for business processes. Little surprise that the power consumption on account of HVAC is as big as 55% of the total consumption of any commercial building.
Let’s put that into a better perspective. According to Raghuvanshi, electrical consumption in India for commercial buildings is 21.6 billion kWh/annum and for residential building is 36.0 billion kWh/annum. Together, that accounts for 10% of the total electricity usage in India. Consider this against the power shortage in our country as well as the environmental impact of power generation and consumption. Thus, it has become an imperative to use energy efficient HVAC systems for providing high standards of comfort while keeping their operating costs under control.
Obviously, using energy efficient HVAC systems and services can not only result in enhanced occupant comfort as well as reduced energy and operational costs but also show responsible behaviour towards environment. This is applicable for new buildings as well as in existing buildings (for retrofits). Thankfully, our leading HVAC providers have demonstrated serious commitment towards giving the right kind of systems that are energy efficient, meet customer demands and also deliver in terms of return on investment (ROI). Let us understand how they are doing it.
Blue Star’s deputy GM, C Madhanagopal, who is in-charge of the company’s total facilities management & energy management business, says that his company has been a pioneer in the field of energy efficient cooling systems in the country. Blue Star offers many energy efficient products such as high COP chillers, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, variable frequency drive (VFD) fitted AHU systems and packaged air conditioners. “In fact, our R&D team develops all products on the energy efficiency platform.
Under the energy labelling program of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Blue Star has many star-rated split air conditioners,” says Madhanagopal. With over 30 BEE certified energy auditors, Blue Star, a Grade I Energy Service Company (ESCO) provides many value added services such as investment grade energy audits and energy efficiency studies which give a minimum of 10-20% savings in energy costs of an existing building. “Besides this, we offer Green building consultancy services through our USGBC certified LEED accredited professionals. And all this results in overall improvement of the energy efficiency of the built environment,” adds Madhanagopal.
Krishan Sachdev, director, marketing & strategy, Carrier Airconditioning & Refrigeration Ltd, explains the role played by his firm in promoting energy efficiency in HVAC systems. “Carrier has been synonymous with environmentally sustainable stewardship in the AC and refrigeration industry for decades. Today, there is a pressing need for innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions. Carrier offers a wide range of environmentally responsible heating, AC and refrigeration products. Carrier led the industry in the phase out of ozone-depleting refrigerants and ceased global production of CFC-based equipment well ahead of the deadline in the Montreal Protocol,” Sachdev informs.
It is a fact that Carrier was the first company in the world to introduce a commercial chiller that uses a non-ozone depleting refrigerant in 1996. “Carrier’s commitment to green technologies includes offering BEE star rated air-conditioning products and being a founding member of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). Almost all Carrier residential products are BEE star-rated,” adds Sachdev.
Pankaj Gupta, energy & environmental affairs leader, India region, Trane India Ltd, briefly notes his firm’s contribution in this regard. “Trane plays a key role by providing energy efficient equipment and by demonstrating financial benefits as well as environmental impact of choosing these.
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