The Challenge
The company faced a significant challenge in overcoming regulatory and energy efficient hurdles in the global heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) markets. Adapting to stringent regulations posed a challenge for customers who sought HVAC system redesigns prioritizing energy efficiency and eco-friendliness. This included phasing out ozone-depleting refrigerants and minimizing energy consumption during operation, particularly to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) / Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) certification standards for commercial installations.
Failure to address these challenges could have jeopardized the company’s client's market position, sales performance, pricing strategies and overall profitability. To overcome these hurdles, the company sought HCLTech's expertise to navigate and resolve these challenges seamlessly.
The Objective
Enhance HVAC solutions for sustainability:
A significant goal for the company was to extend their client's engineering capabilities to develop HVAC solutions that prioritized sustainability across various sectors. This included excelling in commercial, residential and refrigeration sectors while focusing on energy efficiency, material integrity and reducing environmental footprint to meet the stringent requirements of the push for net-zero building demands today.
Collaborate for environmentally friendly HVAC systems:
Minimizing the environmental impact was critical to the company for creating HVAC systems. The collaboration with HCLTech not only enabled the company to focus on minimizing the environmental impact of refrigerant, but also helped maintain the company’s commitment to providing environmentally friendly solutions while meeting market demands.
Lead the Green Revolution in HVAC Industry:
By developing innovative and sustainable solutions, the company strove to position their clients at the forefront of the HVAC industry's green revolution. This strategic move not only helped cement their clients' competitive edge but also met consumer demand for green products, placing them at the heart of the industry's transition towards sustainability.
The Solution
HCLTech's innovative and sustainable engineering paved the way for crafting future-proof HVAC system for the company. The project commenced with a comprehensive exploration of region-specific regulations governing residential products, followed by the formulation of a deployment roadmap incorporating relevant testing and authorized certifications. HCLTech deployed the Design for Sustainability framework and myPCM solution throughout the project, offering a clear trajectory for introducing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly HVAC systems.
- Efficient Design and Innovation: HCLTech integrated energy-saving components and employed cutting-edge design and manufacturing techniques, ensuring that the HVAC systems were inherently efficient and sustainable.
- Rapid Sustainability Assessment: Adoption of fast-track assessments (lifecycle and product carbon footprint) enabled HCLTech to embed sustainability into products early in the development phase, ensuring compliance with the highest environmental standards.
- Enhanced System Efficiency: HCLTech identified and implemented subsystems such as Variable Frequency Drives, which significantly enhanced energy efficiency. Collaborating closely with the company’s suppliers resulted in the selection of the most eco-friendly options available.
- Eco-Friendly Design and Materials: Guided by global eco-design standards, HCLTech approached minimized environmental impact throughout the lifecycle of HVAC systems, from material selection to end-use.
- Collaborative Engineering Excellence: Leveraging HCLTech's global expertise, the company employed advanced analytics alongside continuous stakeholder engagement to ensure alignment between client needs and sustainability objectives. This marked a significant stride towards eco-conscious manufacturing and design.
The Impact
- Transitioned to eco-friendlier HFC and HFO refrigerants which significantly reduced the environmental impact while aligning with global conservation goals
- Enhanced the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) using eco-friendlier refrigerants demonstrated a profound commitment to sustainability and innovation
- Design automation and Model-Based Definition (MBD) improved engineering productivity by up to 20%, leading to more efficient processes
- Automated Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) streamlined assembly processes, saved time and promoted smarter technology use
- The shift towards recyclable materials decreased CO2 emissions, showcasing dedication to sustainability
- Incorporation of recyclable materials not only demonstrated dedication to sustainable innovation but also significantly reduced CO2 emissions
- Recognition of advancements resulted in the client awarding HCLTech with the highest level performance rating and exemplary customer satisfaction score
- The recognition served as a testament to the quality, efficiency, demonstration of ownership, innovation and sustainability embedded in HCLTech's services
- The client's commitment to continued collaboration underscored the importance of delivering more sustainable and efficient solutions in the future
