CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mayur Sundararajan, Business Head – Superfan at Versa Drives Private Limited.
As the need for thermal cooling increases in India, there is a surge in the usage of thermal comfort appliances which consume large amounts of energy and eventually result in high carbon emissions. Technological innovation in energy efficiency comes as the only effective solution at this juncture.
- How does HVAC contribute to carbon emissions in India?
HVAC systems – air conditioners, heaters, and fans, contribute significantly to carbon emissions in India both presently and with projections indicating increased impact in the future. These HVAC products contribute to India’s electricity consumption and thus to carbon emissions, particularly in the context of air conditioning units and fans. As a tropical country, India is likely to see a rise in air conditioning usage due to increasing disposable incomes and escalating temperatures associated with global warming.
In addition to the direct energy consumption, air conditioning systems exert a secondary environmental impact. The heat extracted from indoor spaces is expelled outside, which intensifies urban heat island effects. Urban heat island effects refer to the phenomenon where urban areas endure higher temperatures than their surrounding rural regions, predominantly due to human activities. The heat expelled by air conditioners exacerbates this effect, raising outdoor temperatures and thereby escalating the demand for air conditioning in a self-perpetuating cycle. This effect is particularly prominent in densely populated cities, leading to an increase in overall energy consumption and, consequently, carbon emissions.
Turning our attention to fans, a staple appliance in India for thermal comfort, it’s estimated that there are over 400 million fans in the country, with the number growing year by year. Until January 1st, 2023, the BEE star rating, which indicates energy efficiency, was voluntary. As a result, more than 90% of the fans were built using inefficient, outdated motor technology that consumed around 80W at the highest setting. This equates to an electricity demand of approximately 16,000 MW, equivalent to four times the demand of a major metropolitan city like Chennai. This electricity demand would result in the emission of about 20,000 tons of CO2 and the pollution of 20,000 litres of water in the process of generating this electricity.
With the enforcement of mandatory BEE star labelling at the beginning of this year, a reduction in the environmental impact of ceiling fans is expected. Fans consuming 80W can no longer be manufactured or sold as they do not meet the minimum efficiency standards for a 1-star rating, which equates to approximately 55W. This regulatory measure is anticipated to contribute significantly to reducing the carbon footprint of ceiling fans in India.
2. How can technology be used to make thermal comfort energy efficient and in turn contribute to reduction in carbon footprint?
HVAC systems, particularly air conditioning units and fans, are key contributors to carbon emissions in India due to their significant electricity consumption. Several technologies and behavioural changes can help reduce this environmental impact.
In air conditioning units, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Star rating program has significantly contributed to improving energy efficiency over the past two decades. The program’s requirements, which are revised every two years or so, have consistently pushed manufacturers to develop more efficient products. However, there are still issues with the materials used in AC units. Although ozone-depleting refrigerants have been phased out, current refrigerants still possess a global warming potential.
The BLDC Technology
As for fans, a significant development has been the introduction of Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor technology. This has led to an industry-wide shift towards more efficient fans. In fact, the introduction of this technology is a primary reason behind the mandatory BEE star labelling brought in at the beginning of 2023.
Superfan has been at the forefront of this transition. We produced the first ever super energy efficient fans in India which used BLDC motor technology to make the fans more than 50% (35W vs 80W) efficient while delivering the same comfort. Our pioneering work and close relations with the government and NGOs played a significant part in the policy changes and standards revisions that led to the mandatory labelling in 2023. The success of Superfan has driven the industry to follow suit, leading to all popular brands incorporating BLDC-based fans into their catalogues.
Superfan continues to innovate, currently offering a 25W fan that delivers 230CMM, which is the airflow that satisfies the market. This is a marked improvement in efficiency, reducing power consumption from the traditional 80W to just 25W.
The adoption of such super energy-efficient fans has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of ceiling fans. This is because, in comparison to traditional fans, Superfan’s BLDC ceiling fans can save up to 69% electricity. The cumulative impact of adopting such energy-efficient technologies can be quite significant over time, leading to a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions and the overall environmental footprint of residential and commercial buildings.
Passive Cooling Methods
In addition to these technological shifts, a key strategy to reduce the environmental impact of HVAC systems is the adoption of passive cooling methods. This involves designing and constructing buildings to minimise the need for active cooling. Strategies can include using specific building materials, incorporating structures like sunshades on windows, designing high ceilings, and creating vents in the building to allow warm air to escape.
Also there are behavioural changes that can reduce the environmental impact, through the way we use our ACs and fans. Using super energy-efficient fans, like those with BLDC motors that don’t generate heat, in conjunction with ACs can provide a healthy thermal comfort while reducing AC consumption by 25% without sacrificing comfort. Choosing appropriate clothing and bedding for the season can also reduce the need for ACs and fans, thereby reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Finally, the transition to renewable energy sources for electricity production would significantly mitigate the environmental impact of HVAC systems. However, while the switch to sustainable energy production is crucial, it is equally important to reduce consumption. Even renewable energy sources have environmental impacts, and with the current state of global warming, it’s critical that we minimise our energy use as much as possible.
By combining technology advancements, passive cooling strategies, and behavioural changes, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of HVAC systems in India.
3. Which appliance of the HVAC has the highest potential of creating a larger impact in reducing carbon emissions in India: the ACs, Fans or Heaters?
When considering the environmental impact of air conditioners (ACs), ceiling fans, and heaters, it is important to understand their respective roles, usage patterns, and the policies in place to regulate their energy efficiency.
Among the three appliances, air conditioners would typically be the largest contributor to environmental impact due to their high energy consumption and the use of refrigerants that can contribute significantly to global warming if released into the atmosphere. However, there are policies and measures in place aimed at mitigating this impact. For example, the star rating system has been driving the industry to continuously improve efficiency and sustainability. While there may be arguments that these measures are still not sufficient, it is important to acknowledge that these policies, rules, and standards have put pressure on the industry to innovate and improve.
4. How can energy efficiency just in ceiling fans make such a huge impact in sustainability in India?
Interestingly, the situation with ceiling fans is somewhat unique to India. With a staggering count of more than 400 million fans in use across the country, and an annual sale of about 50 million fans, the cumulative environmental impact can be significant. This is an issue that has not received the same level of global attention as air conditioners, largely because the high use of ceiling fans is a distinctly Indian phenomenon.
The disruptive innovation brought by Superfan has sparked initial policy changes, such as the mandatory BEE star labelling that came into effect in 2023. However, there is still a long way to go to ensure consistent progress towards efficiency and sustainability in the industry.
Another factor to consider is the economic and social context of India. As more Indians rise out of poverty, the number of fans in use is likely to increase, given that a fan is often one of the first appliances a household purchases. Moreover, as climate change results in hotter summers, achieving human thermal comfort becomes a necessity. In such scenarios, having a fan can mean the difference between life and death. As fans become an essential appliance, their environmental impact becomes more significant.
In the India Cooling Action Plan, fans are mentioned, but they do not receive significant attention. With the introduction of mandatory labelling, there is hope that this will bring more attention to the environmental impact of fans and lead to further consideration and action in future policy decisions.
In the case of ceiling fans, if all fans in India were replaced with super energy-efficient fans like Superfan, it is estimated that the country could see a reduction in energy demand by more than 10,000 MU (Million Units). This would also result in a significant reduction in environmental impact, potentially avoiding the emission of over 10,000 tons of CO2 and avoiding pollution of over 10,000 litres of water. Furthermore, the financial savings from avoiding the need to generate and distribute electricity to power less efficient fans could be considerable.
