HVAC design contest highlights low-carbon innovation in China

Amid the global push for greener, low-carbon development, the 23rd Midea International Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Design Contest recently concluded in Hainan, serving as a platform for promoting new technologies and products in central air-conditioning systems.

The contest, which aims to foster industry-wide progress, was co-organized by the China Innovation Alliance for Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (CAHVAC) and Midea Building Technologies (MBT), a business unit of Chinese home appliance maker Midea Group.

Xu Wei, a chief expert at the China Academy of Building Research (CABR), said building operations account for about 22 percent of China's total carbon emissions, while HVAC systems consume roughly 60 percent of that energy, making HVAC systems a key focus for carbon reduction.

"The contest has significantly improved the energy efficiency of chiller plants, and the results have been incorporated into standards and technical guidelines for high-efficiency equipment rooms," he said.

Meanwhile, this year's contest saw a broader range of project types, with entries expanding beyond traditional commercial buildings to include data centers, rail transit, biopharmaceuticals and precision manufacturing, said Zhao Xuyuan, marketing director of MBT's Sales Company in China.

"The industry is moving beyond creating comfortable environments to supporting industrial precision and digital infrastructure, which requires deeper integration with the real economy," Zhao said.

Additionally, this year's contest introduced the "Overseas Expansion Award" for the first time. Industry insiders said the move signals a broader shift in China's HVAC industry from exporting standalone products to offering integrated design and system solutions in overseas markets.

However, the shift also brings new challenges alongside opportunities. Li Xianting, a professor at at Tsinghua University's School of Architecture, said the core challenge lies in standards, as most overseas projects adhere to European or US standards, with Chinese standards seldom applied.

"Going global is not just about technology. It also calls for strong cross-cultural communication and familiarity with international standards. Companies should seek internationally recognized certifications and develop climate-adaptive solutions that integrate renewable energy more effectively," Li added.