Market Trends of Commercial HVAC Industry
Air Conditioning /Ventilation Equipment Witnessed Increasing Demand
- The market for air conditioning equipment in the commercial sector is expanding significantly due to factors such as increasing urbanization, infrastructure development, and the growing emphasis on comfort in business environments.
- There are several reasons why air conditioning systems are becoming more and more common in commercial buildings. Air conditioners are essential for preserving a comfortable atmosphere in contemporary commercial buildings. By moving air through water-cooled or refrigerant systems, these units efficiently reduce the temperature while also removing too much moisture from the air.
- Commercial air conditioning systems tend to be larger in size than domestic ones, and they are more complex. These systems are made up of a number of fundamental components that work together to ensure the highest comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency in business settings. This is because properly designed, maintained, and installed air conditioning systems create favorable environments for employees, customers, and operations while also facilitating the efficient utilization and recycling of energy. By regulating temperature levels effectively, air conditioning aids in sustaining productivity levels regardless of the external heat.
- Furthermore, the business landscape is changing due to factors like growing awareness of indoor air quality, sustainability regulations, and the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) and building automation systems. These changes present opportunities for innovation and market expansion.
- Moreover, several companies are constantly investing in introducing various products catering to the demand for these air conditioning systems in the commercial segment. For instance, in April 2024, Haier announced the launch of its latest range of "super heavy-duty" air conditioners. The new range comes with the company's Hexa Inverter and Supersonic cooling technologies.
- Further, in May 2024, Carrier Midea India Pvt. Ltd announced the opening of India's first Midea Cooling Solutions ProShop in Gurugram. This innovative experiential concept is designed to transform the customer buying experience for air-conditioning products. A wide variety of cutting-edge air conditioning solutions are available for exploration at the Midea ProShop; the company offers a comprehensive selection of Midea HVAC solutions for commercial and residential applications. This covers a full range of VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) systems to meet the air-conditioning needs of residential, small businesses, offices, large commercial buildings, and project applications. It also includes a variety of split air conditioners, ducted units, cassette units, and tower units.
- Voltas, an Indian manufacturer, reported sales of over 2 million air conditioners in FY 2023-24, the largest-ever annual sales of ACs in India, according to the company. The company's robust offline and online distribution network, creative new launches, and a steady demand for cooling products were all factors leading to an annual volume growth of 35%, which was accelerated by a 72% growth in Q4.
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Asia-Pacific is Expected to Witness Significant Growth
- The expansion of offices, malls, hotels, data centers, hospitals, and retail outlets in India and China is a major driver for the region's commercial HVAC market. In Asia-Pacific, the hospitality sector is a significant user of HVAC equipment and services.
- The hotel industry has more needs and considerations compared to virtually any other sector when it comes to HVAC systems. A comprehensive approach is needed to meet the complex needs of commercial hotels for heating and ventilation, from guest comfort and reliability to overall efficiency and energy savings. Thus, the rising hospitality sector in the region is expected to drive the market’s growth.
- In January 2024, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) announced the completion of nine pilot projects in collaboration with IFC's TechEmerge Sustainable Cooling Innovation Program within a span of 18 months. This highlights the firm's unwavering commitment to fostering environmentally responsible practices in order to provide efficient, climate-friendly, and cost-effective cooling solutions for India's hospitality industry.
- Many commercial buildings in the region are also pursuing green certifications like LEED, which mandate the installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. According to the report published by the International Energy Agency, China is the global leader in new heat pump sales. According to the IEA report, China has a large number of new heat pump installations. Furthermore, China boasts the largest workforce dedicated to installing HVAC systems like heat pumps and holds the largest market share in heat pump manufacturing, accounting for 45%.
- Several players in the market are also supporting the growth of HVAC in the region. For instance, in November 2023, Carrier Corporation announced that it had hosted more than 300 commercial HVAC dealers from across China during its annual conference in the designated National Famous Historical and Cultural City of Changsha. Through this event, the company will provide dealers the opportunity to learn more about its innovative solutions, the company's plan to help customers become carbon neutral, and how it is investing in disruptive technologies to accelerate next-generation sustainable solutions. The event focused on how the HVAC industry can help China achieve its dual carbon strategy with intelligent and green building solutions.
- Furthermore, the growing number of data centers, malls, schools, and universities, among others, in developing countries is driving the demand in the HVAC market. Asia-Pacific is witnessing several investments in the construction of advanced data centers. For instance, in April 2024, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) announced the groundbreaking for its second data center facility in Tokyo, STT Tokyo 2, to support the demand for critical digital infrastructure in the country. The data center campus will provide up to 70 MW of IT capacity, while the STT Tokyo 2 project is estimated to generate up to 38 MW once it is completed.
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