As ACs start to sweat, cos plan machines the heat can't wilt

Kolkata: Air-conditioner manufacturers such as Voltas, Daikin and Godrej Appliances are focusing on developing and selling models that can operate at high outside temperatures, some even up to 55-56C, after this year's intense heatwave and instances of poor cooling from ACs especially in North where temperatures crossed 45C in many places.

The companies are going to increase the proportion of models in their line-up which can operate above 42-44C. In the North, they plan to offer ACs that can work at 50C and above. The move comes after the average temperatures this summer have been 4-6 above normal in most places, with the eastern and southern regions too recording over 40C in many places.

"The industry is looking at developing some models which can live up to the extreme summer temperatures which were recorded this year," said Pradeep Bakshi, managing director at Voltas, the country's largest AC brand.

Input cost for these models may go up by 5-10% due to the use of higher-grade compressors, but manufacturers said they expect consumer pricing premium to come down as volumes surge. The industry had posted record sales this summer, with business growing by 50-60% and all brands facing acute supply shortages.

Industry executives said almost 80% of residential ACs sold at present are designed to work at about 35C outside temperature, since ACs at homes are mostly turned on at nights during sleeping when ambient temperature in most places fall way below this. This year, night temperatures were high, too.

Balance sales are for models designed to operate at 42-44C and only 2-3% are models designed to operate up to 50-52C, sold at a high premium by some brands like O General, Mitsubishi, Daikin, Lloyd and Godrej. In some global markets like the Middle East, most AC models can operate at full efficiency even at 58C.

An industry executive said AC's operating efficiency can fall by up to 40% if the outside temperature is higher by 5-7 degrees than the product's standard operating ambient temperature.

A Daikin India spokesman said conventional ACs are designed to cool down to rated temperatures so long as the ambient temperatures outside do not exceed 35C. "High outdoor temperature can also lower the AC system's efficiency and cause the system to break down," he said.

The Japanese company's current line has some models designed to operate even at 100% capacity at 43-46C, while it has designed models which can operate at 56C.

Kamal Nandi, business head at Godrej Appliances, said ACs which are capable of operating at 50C should be sufficient for India.