International.
Technavio's latest research report on the global air conditioning market offered an analysis on the most important trends that are expected to impact the market outlook between 2016 and 2020.
The top four emerging trends driving the market, according to Technavio research analysts are:
• Increased popularity of smart thermostats.
Smart thermostats allow temperature control in the home and in commercial spaces from mobile devices and PCs. Thermostats control the indoor environment and modify the heating and cooling cycles, resulting in energy and money savings. These thermostats are also advancing in terms of technology.
• The rapid adoption of inverter air conditioners.
Inverter air conditioners reduce energy consumption by 30% and are not as expensive to install compared to central air conditioning units, says Technavio. These use a variable speed compressor that shuts down upon reaching the desired temperature and activates when the temperature changes.
Japan has the largest proportion of inverter-type products, which includes residential air conditioners. In Latin America and Europe, these products are gaining widespread popularity, and suppliers like Daikin are expanding their lines to meet this demand. Vendors have also introduced other features such as sleep status technology, in which a sensor detects when users fall asleep and controls temperature settings to optimize comfort and efficiency.
• The demand for integrated systems.
HVAC controls and building systems have become more integrated, driving demand among end users seeking the benefits of simplified systems that incorporate lighting and access controls. This allows greater energy efficiency in the management of building systems, as it allows control from a single interface. These systems facilitate the elimination of redundancy in the systems and provide better occupant comfort, due to better building management.
• Introduction of air purification technology.
"Increased concerns related to the inhalation of polluted air have prompted vendors to introduce separate air purification technologies. Many suppliers have integrated air purification systems into their air conditioners, eliminating the need to purchase one separately. They contain multi-layer filtration and active technologies that rid the air of impurities," said Abhay Sinha, an analyst at Technavio.
