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When the doors of India Expo Mart, Greater Noida swung open on 15 February 2024, they revealed what many in the industry had eagerly anticipated – the 23rd edition of ACREX India, South Asia’s largest and most prestigious air conditioning, heating, ventilation, and intelligent buildings exhibition. Running from 15–17 February 2024, this landmark event set a new benchmark for the HVAC sector in the region and beyond.

Themed ‘Powering Global HVAC Supply Chain’, ACREX India 2024 was more than a trade expo. It was a declaration that India has firmly positioned itself at the heart of the global HVAC revolution – a revolution driven by urbanisation, climate ambition, and the unstoppable rise of smart, energy-efficient technologies.

ACREX India 2024: What Made This Edition Historic

Organised by ISHRAE (Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) in partnership with Informa Markets in India, ACREX 2024 drew participation from over 500 exhibitors representing more than 40 countries including Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, UAE, UK, Ukraine, and the USA.

Key Figures at a Glance

• Over 30,000 visitors over three days
• 500+ exhibitors from 40+ countries
• India Expo Mart, Greater Noida (Delhi NCR) – venue
• Theme: ‘Powering Global HVAC Supply Chain’
• Organised by ISHRAE + Informa Markets India
• Featured Startup Pavilion, Innovation Zone, Demo Zone, B2B Meetings, and Seminar Workshops

Smart HVAC Technologies on Display: The Innovation Agenda

The ACREX India 2024 exhibition floor was a window into the future of building climate control. Across sprawling halls, visitors encountered a diverse spectrum of technologies – from AI-driven simulation platforms to precision components that form the backbone of efficient HVAC infrastructure.

Artificial Intelligence & Building Simulation

At the forefront of ACREX India 2024 was the Autonomous HVAC CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) platform – an AI-powered building simulation tool showcased by SimulationHub. Designed for energy modellers, building performance analysts, HVAC design professionals, and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) consultants, the platform offered capabilities including BIM Interoperability, HVAC System Modelling, Load Calculation, Thermal Comfort CFD Analysis, Energy Efficiency Analysis, and Code Compliance checking. This kind of intelligent design tool is becoming essential as developers seek to optimise energy consumption before a single brick is laid. 

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems

VRF technology was among the most discussed innovations at ACREX 2024. These multi-zone systems – capable of simultaneously heating and cooling different areas of a building – represent a quantum leap over conventional fixed-speed systems. For commercial and industrial applications across Indian cities, VRF systems offer unmatched flexibility, reduced energy consumption, and quiet, precise operation.

Predictive Maintenance & Machine Learning

A growing number of exhibitors showcased HVAC systems integrated with machine learning algorithms capable of predicting equipment failures before they occur. This approach dramatically reduces unplanned downtime, lowers maintenance costs, and extends the operational life of expensive HVAC infrastructure – a compelling proposition for India’s booming industrial and commercial real estate sectors.

Filtration, Sensors & Indoor Air Quality

The post-pandemic era has made indoor air quality a primary design criterion rather than an afterthought. ACREX 2024 featured advanced filtration systems – including automatic screen filtration designed to combat airborne contaminants, sand, silt, scale, and rust in cooling systems. Sensors, expansion valves, fire dampers, and volume control dampers were prominently displayed, highlighting the ecosystem of technologies that underpin truly smart HVAC infrastructure.

Solar-Integrated HVAC

Perhaps the most future-forward technology showcased was the integration of solar power with HVAC systems. Solar air conditioning – using photovoltaic cells to offset the substantial energy demands of cooling systems – is particularly well-suited to India’s sun-rich climate. Several exhibitors presented hybrid solar-powered HVAC units capable of dramatically reducing grid electricity dependence in both residential and commercial buildings.

Explosive Growth & Regional Significance

India’s HVAC market is not merely growing – it is accelerating. Several structural forces are driving this expansion:

• Construction Boom: Over 50% of India’s buildings are expected to be built within the next two decades
• Industrial Expansion: Government infrastructure investments of USD 1.45 trillion over five years are fuelling demand for commercial and industrial HVAC
• Retail Growth: The proliferation of hypermarkets, shopping malls, and data centres in Tier-II cities is expanding the commercial HVAC market
• Inverter Technology Adoption: Consumer preference is firmly shifting toward energy-efficient inverter HVAC systems

The Residential Sector: Air Conditioning as a Right, Not a Luxury

One of the most significant shifts in India’s HVAC landscape – underscored at ACREX 2024 – is the democratisation of air conditioning. What was once the preserve of upper-income households in metropolitan areas is rapidly becoming a standard feature of middle-class homes across Tier-I, Tier-II, and increasingly Tier-III cities.

Several factors are accelerating this shift:

• Climate: India’s annual mean temperatures are rising, making cooling a health necessity rather than merely a comfort preference
• Affordability: The widespread adoption of inverter technology has significantly reduced both purchase prices and running costs
• Financing: EMI availability and consumer finance penetration have lowered the barrier to purchase
• Awareness: Energy efficiency ratings (BEE star ratings) have empowered consumers to make informed choices

Commercial & Industrial HVAC: The Infrastructure Growth Dividend

If the residential sector tells one part of India’s HVAC story, the commercial and industrial sectors tell another of equal magnitude. India’s infrastructure ambitions are staggering in scale:

• USD 1.45 trillion in government infrastructure investment over five years
• Rapid expansion of data centres, driven by cloud adoption and digital
• Explosive growth in logistics and cold chain infrastructure
• Expansion of healthcare facilities, requiring precision climate control
• Commercial real estate boom: offices, hotels, retail complexes, and mixed-use developments

The VRF segment deserves particular attention. As India’s commercial real estate sector matures and clients demand greater energy efficiency and zoning flexibility, VRF systems are becoming the technology of choice for mid-to-large commercial developments. eco° HVAC’s mini and modular VRF range offers the scalability to serve everything from a boutique hotel to a large corporate campus.

Aligning Innovation with India’s HVAC Ambitions

eco° GLOBAL operates across three core industries: Energy & Power, Building & Construction, and Home & Lifestyle. Our HVAC and HOME technology subsidiaries – eco° HVAC and eco° HOME – are directly aligned with the dominant themes of ACREX India 2024 and the broader trajectory of India’s built environment.

Why eco° GLOBAL Is the Right Partner for India’s HVAC Future

The alignment between ACREX India 2024’s themes and eco° GLOBAL’s portfolio is not coincidental – it reflects a shared understanding of where the HVAC industry is headed globally:

• Smart Technology: eco° HVAC and eco° HOME products incorporate smart controls, connectivity, and energy monitoring – precisely the intelligence that India’s market increasingly demands
• Solar Integration: eco° GLOBAL’s solar air conditioning range addresses India’s dual imperatives of reducing electricity costs and lowering carbon emissions
• Full Spectrum: From residential split units to industrial chillers, eco° HVAC covers the complete range of HVAC applications relevant to India’s diverse building types
• Global Supply Chain: As ACREX 2024 emphasised, supply chain robustness is critical – eco° GLOBAL’s 85+ country network provides the resilience and reach India’s HVAC market requires
• Sustainability: eco° GLOBAL’s commitment to eco-friendly technologies aligns directly with India’s 2070 net-zero ambition

India’s Net-Zero Journey: HVAC at the Heart of the Climate Story

India has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. HVAC systems – which account for a substantial proportion of energy consumption in buildings – sit at the heart of this commitment. ACREX India 2024 devoted significant seminar and workshop time to this imperative, with sessions addressing net-zero targets, sustainable HVAC practices, skill gaps in the industry, and the transformation required across infrastructure and building sectors.

Regional Impact: What ACREX 2024 Means for South Asia and Beyond

The significance of ACREX India 2024 extends well beyond the borders of India. As the largest HVAC exhibition in South Asia, it serves as a critical barometer for the region’s technological trajectory. The themes and technologies showcased in Delhi in February 2024 will shape HVAC procurement decisions, policy frameworks, and investment strategies across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East – regions where India increasingly exerts technological and commercial influence.

As India builds its cities, decarbonises its economy, and upgrades the lived experience of its citizens, smart HVAC technology will be at the core of that transformation