Rakesh Ranjan
Rakesh Ranjan, Senior VP (Head -Turnkey MEP & U&A Products Division) at Zamil AC India, shares his views on the rising demand for HVAC solutions, and the challenges thereon.

"An experienced architect will select the façade material, design and orientation of the building, keeping the HVAC solution in mind" - Rakesh Ranjan


Which segments are seeing maximum demand for HVAC solutions?

Presently, since the Government is also stressing on healthcare and infra projects, requirement for HVAC for hospitals is on the rise. Large hospitals have total central systems, while small healthcare units have hybrid arrangement of VRF and chillers for OTs and ICUs. Similarly, central chilled water systems cater to large infra projects like convention centers, underground metros etc.

With increasing focus on building green structures, how is the HVAC industry meeting this demand?

The HVAC industry has gained a lot from its association with professional societies like ISHRAE and ASHRAE. Today, green building practices are now built in design specification of tenders, if not for all, but for most of the projects. Awareness is high for sustainable buildings that must ensure indoor air quality, low carbon footprints, low GWP, zero ODP refrigerants, efficient building envelope, etc.

Use of high efficient chillers (COP and IPLV), IE3 motors, VFDs, efficient fans etc. as per ASHRAE 90.1 standard, is now an industry standard. Newer, energy-efficient HVAC systems like radiant cooling, displacement ventilation, etc. are slowly seeing light of the day.

The rating system for green building certifications followed are LEED, US GBC/IGBC and GRIHA. Even the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, has been active since 2007 towards this goal and has recently released the Energy Conservation Building code 2017 applicable for building services, engineers and architects.

What are the current market challenges and the solutions thereon?

The biggest market challenge is obviously the perception of high costs involved in setting up a HVAC system. As per the present practice, bidders are required to quote on a prescribed itemized BOQ, which implies that all are theoretically equal in terms of equipment/material type and quantity. The only thing that varies is the final chosen make from the approved list of options.

We must create tangible and intangible differentiators. We need to explain to the customer the intricacies of the system involved, list down the sub-components of this listed BOQ, which may not have been included by others, since it is not apparent in the BOQ. This will only show our experience and seriousness.

We must explain the entire engineering involved and have a full-fledged experienced design and engineering team; impress upon the client that a system is as good as installed; and provide data to show ROI and low operating and owning cost due to the high energy-efficient equipment considered by us. We also need to emphasize good engineered layouts, provide adequate access, and lower service cost, that is, design for service.

What is Zamil AC India's business strategy?

We are associated with various prestigious projects in India wherein we have suggested energy-efficient equipment, if they were not thought of during the concept design, like VFDs for Air Handling Units motor, energy efficient motors for fans, usage of heat recovery mechanism at fresh air units, primary/ secondary pumping, variable air control air distribution etc.

Our focus is more on MEP contracting services in India. We are flexible enough to adapt the newer solutions and evolve ourselves as per the latest technologies. We arrange for staff training and impart knowledge and skill to align them with the newer technologies.

Today, we have emerged as one of the leading MEP contracting companies in India, thanks to our project execution capabilities with delivery of time-bound projects, and high standard of quality assurance and attention to the environment, health and safety.

How does HVAC solutions impact/influence the architectural design of a building?

Energy codes like ECBC 2017 specify energy-efficient building envelope and glazing. Depending on the orientation, to limit unwanted heat gains, it talks about maximum wall -window ratios i.e. maximum permeations in walls for windows, U factors for various wall constructions, walls with hollow fly ash blocks of autoclaved aerated, low U factors for roofs, recommendations for thermal insulation, cool roof strategies, etc.

As regards glazing, it is basically an architect's choice, but from the building's service engineer's viewpoint, we advise architects to consider double pane, low U value, low SHGF, and high visible light transmittance glazing. We also advise them on shading solutions for windows, the correct building N-S orientation to limit solar gain, and so on. Generally, an experienced architect will select the façade material, building design and orientation of the building, keeping the HVAC solution in mind.

zamil

About Zamil Air Conditioners

Middle East-based Zamil Air Conditioners has manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, India, Vietnam and Italy. Its products are available in over 55 countries. The ISO 9001:2008-certified company is the first Middle Eastern company to have received the prestigious ARI (Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, USA) and Eurovent certifications for many of its products and the only AC manufacturer in the region capable of guaranteeing product performance in compliance with local, regional and international specifications and standards for operating performance, cooling capacity, energy efficient, airflow, noise level and durability. Zamil AC India (ZAC India) is headquartered in New Delhi with full-fledged offices pan India to provide turnkey MEP solutions to factories, hotels, high rise residential and commercial buildings, airports, hospitals, coal mines, power plants and refineries.