Thiruvananthapuram:
The heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration
(HVAC) industry is hoping to get rid of its ‘global
warmer’ stigma through increased use of gases with
zero ozone depletion potential (zero ODP).
The impact on global warming by the
industry is negligible compared to the automobile, process
and cement and petrochemical industry, according to
Mr S. Bhagavan, President of the Bangalore Chapter of
ISHRAE (Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
Air-Conditioning Engineers). Mr Bhagavan interacted
with Business Line in the backdrop of Acrex, an international
exposition held every two years for air-conditioning,
refrigeration, heating and building allied services.
The three-day Acrex 2008 opens at
the Karnataka Trade Promotion Organisation (KTPO) Trade
Centre, Bangalore, on Friday.
The event is being managed by the
southern India chapters of ISHRAE in association with
ASHARE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
Air Conditioning Engineers).
Global warming
The HVAC industry has advanced technologically
and more than 90 per cent of the refrigerant gas is
reclaimed or recycled, Mr Bhagavan said.
The new transition gases have very
marginal global warming potential. For instance, new
CFC-free refrigerants such as R410A (replacement for
old R22) and R134 (replacement for old R12) are being
used more and more.
Their zero ODP will ensure that the
global warming effect is negligible. Besides, they also
work at slightly higher pressures resulting in reduced
energy consumption.
Contrary to common beliefs, there
is scope for lot of innovation and development of ‘sustainable’
solutions in the field of HVAC.
More than 60 per cent of the electricity
consumption of a traditional multi-storied workspace,
hotel, or shopping mall is attributed to air-conditioning.
HVAC takes up the challenge of offering alternative
and cutting-edge solutions to economise this and other
factors. HVAC solutions also address problems of ‘indoor
air pollution’, which has become a major concern
in India in the recent past years. Poor ventilation
systems and ineffective removal of polluted indoor air
result in Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), recognised by
the World Health Organisation as a disease in 1984.
Symptoms of SBS include headache, dizziness, fatigue,
dry cough, itchiness and irritation of eyes.
A study was carried out in 2006 proved
the direct co-relation between SBS and CO2 concentration
highlighting the importance of efficient ventilation
measures to monitor the IAQ (indoor air quality).
Source:
India Brand Equity Foundation Date: February 13, 2008
