The future of HVAC Systems
Since the invention of the first electric furnace the HVAC industry has progressed in leaps and bounds. Today, the HVAC systems are operated by next generation AI based automated technology taking the HVAC industry to a whole new level. In a market study it was found that HVAC market size is expected to grow from USD 202 Billion in 2020 to USD 277 Billion by 2025 at a CAGR of 6.5%. The growing demand in part lies in the importance of HVAC systems throughout the lifecycle of a fully functional building to the growing demands for energy efficient solutions.
The initial developments in the HVAC technology focused mainly on increasing the efficiency and of MEP components. However, the past few years has seen a shift in focus and the HVAC industry today is concentrated towards sustainability, comfort and energy saving. In the current article we look at the current trends and the latest advancements taking place in the HVAC system that are sure to define the future.
Smart HVAC Technology:
The AI-based automated HVAC systems are gradually becoming the norm. Cooling and heating systems that switch on before the inhabitant arrives home, taps that switch on and off through sensors, motion controlled lights etc. It could be achieved through scheduling or geofencing. The biggest advantage of automated HVAC systems is that they can be connected to mobile, laptops etc. allowing to send commands at convenience. Moreover, homes can also be connected with external temperature and environment. For instance, lights can fluctuate in intensity based on the outside natural light.
The added advantage of programmable thermostats, air conditioning etc. is that of energy efficiency. It conservers energy by allowing facility managers and building owners to set triggers for activating HVAC units only when needed. In large buildings like malls daily foot traffic can be measured and temperature can be set accordingly. This reduces the need for unnecessarily running the HVAC systems throughout the day.
Sustainable HVAC Technology:
Talking about sustainability in HVAC systems it comes at two levels, one in the way they are manufactured and the materials they utilize and secondly in the type of energy utilized and the amount that is conserved. Today, manufacturers can leverage the power of BIM Services to run energy simulations, test non-traditional materials etc. Utilizing BIM also provides manufactures accurate information like dimensions, material specification etc. about HVAC components so that the manufacturing process is without errors. This reduces waste of resources and energy and ultimately enhancing sustainability.
Then there are various renewable sources of energy that can be utilized. For instance, geothermal heating and cooling systems use heat pumps, water and underground piping system to cool the house. The heat is exchanged with the ground and no additional refrigerant is required. Then there is also the option of going solar. Solar panels are more energy efficient and eliminate the cost of electricity.
Efficient and Predictive Maintenance
Predictive and efficient maintenance can be carried out by utilizing BIM, IoT and AI to systematically maintain HVAC systems in any building. The HVAC systems need to be regularly repaired maintained and upgraded in order to ensure optimal functioning and energy efficiency. This can get very costly. With BIM, more specifically MEP BIM Services it is possible for facility managers to gain all the information necessary about the building’s components for proper facility management. The intelligent 3D model provides information like location, manufacturer’s details, serial number etc. which makes it possible to carry our quick repairs or keep track of whether there are better alternatives in the market. Similarly, individual HVAC component’s energy consumption can be monitored. It is thus possible to stay alert and be one step ahead and resolve the issue before it becomes serious.
Smart HVAC technology can determine the right time for maintenance based on air quality data and equipment status. Similarly, energy analysis software can help analyze, predict and compare lifetime energy usage of any component allowing to make proper upgrades.
Conclusion
The changes taking place in the construction industry are holistic and the manner in which buildings are designed, created and built is being altered. It is obvious that HVAC will also embrace the new technologies. Fully automated, energy efficient and sustainable HVAC systems are the future!
