With heating and cooling accounting for an estimated 40 per cent of all energy consumed in the building sector, demand for energy efficient HVAC equipment is increasing.
With the building sector flat, owners and facility managers are looking to retrofit ageing commercial and industrial buildings.
A recent report from industry analysis firm Frost & Sullivan found that end users are opting for HVAC equipment with the latest technologies in a bid to achieve significant energy savings.
"Consequently, original equipment manufacturers are increasingly incorporating energy saving technologies, such as variable speed compressors, variable speed fans, and high-efficiency heat exchangers,”Frost & Sullivan analysts write.
"Another major area of focus is the use of controls to improve the efficiency of the overall system rather than just the efficiency of the components.”
The report, Analysis of the HVAC equipment market, found that intense competition and the high initial cost of HVAC equipment is limiting growth.
"End users tend to focus on the initial costs rather than the short- to medium-term payback accrued through energy savings,” the report said.
"It is vital to educate customers about the lifecycle cost benefits of installing energy-efficient HVAC equipment.
"Manufacturers must ensure customers understand the long-term benefits of installing new HVAC equipment, such as the ability to comply with energy efficiency requirements and generate smaller carbon footprints.
"The higher awareness about indoor air quality will drive end users to demand better-performing HVAC systems.”
