India HVAC Market Outlook
This study by IMARC Group on the India HVAC Market provides
a forecast of market size, share, and emerging trends for 2026–2034. The report
covers segmentation by product type, end user, and region, with regional
coverage across North India, South India, West India, and East India.
Market Snapshot
Current Size of the India HVAC Market
The India
HVAC Market size reached USD 13.56 Billion in 2025 and is projected to
reach USD 49.02 Billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 14.89% during 2026–2034.
India HVAC Market growth rests on the 2026 BEE star rating revision, Samsung’s
Pune plant for AI data centre cooling, Daikin’s planned R&D hub in Haryana,
and compressor import curbs under the 2026 Quality Control Order.
Emerging Trends in the India HVAC Market
Samsung Opens Pune Plant for AI Data Centre Cooling
Samsung completed a new HVAC manufacturing facility in Pune
operated by FläktGroup in August 2026, its first new plant since acquiring the
HVAC specialist in November 2025. The 13,826-square-metre facility will produce
Air Handling Units, Fan Wall Units, and Computer Air Handlers for AI data
centres and critical infrastructure, scaling to 6,500 units annually alongside
FläktGroup’s existing Noida plant. This matters because data centre cooling is
a distinct, high-value segment separate from residential room air conditioners,
and local production shortens supply timelines for hyperscale projects across
Asia-Pacific.
Daikin Establishes India R&D Hub for Global HVAC
Development
Daikin’s board approved the formation of Daikin Research and
Development India Private Limited in June 2026, with a new R&D centre in
Haryana expected to be completed by June 2028 at an initial capital of ₹8
billion. The facility will develop HVAC systems for data centres and large
commercial infrastructure across Asia, Oceania, and Africa. This matters
because India is shifting from a sales market to an engineering base for global
HVAC products, and localized development helps meet country-specific
regulations and customer requirements.
2026 BEE Star Rating Revision Raises Efficiency
Thresholds
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s revised star rating norms
took effect at the start of 2026, raising efficiency thresholds so that a model
previously rated 5-star may now classify as 4-star. LG Electronics India
launched its 2026 BEE-compliant lineup in January 2026, ahead of the summer
season, with features including Precool and Energy Manager+. This matters
because the rating change forces portfolio upgrades across the industry, and
manufacturers that comply early gain shelf advantage during the peak buying
season.
Quality Control Order Curbs Compressor Imports
The Air Conditioner and Related Parts, Hermetic Compressors
and Temperature Sensing Controls (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 took
effect on May 8, 2026, capping imports of small hermetic compressors at 30–40%
of FY2024-25 levels through March 2027, while VRF compressors for commercial
systems remain at 100%. Manufacturers must also submit monthly import records
and a domestic value addition plan. This matters because compressor
localization is becoming a regulatory requirement rather than a strategic
choice, and the differentiated caps favor commercial HVAC players over
mass-market room AC manufacturers.
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Factors Driving the Growth of the India HVAC Market
Record Summer Demand Despite Price Hikes
AC and refrigerator makers reported double-digit volume and
value growth through April-May 2026 as prolonged heat and a delayed monsoon
boosted demand, even after price hikes of 8–15% since March due to rupee
depreciation, raw material costs, and the BEE rating change. Voltas crossed one
million AC sales in FY27, Blue Star recorded 25% volume and 30% value growth,
and LG India saw strong April-June performance. This matters because demand
proved resilient to price increases, and the season extended beyond the typical
peak period into June.
Data Centre Capacity Expansion Creates Concentrated
Cooling Demand
India’s data centre capacity reached 1,500 MW in 2025,
quadrupling from about 375 MW in 2020, creating a concentrated profit pool for
precision cooling, chillers, liquid-cooling integration, and high-redundancy
controls. Government-linked reporting expects data-centre electricity demand to
reach 13.56 GW by 2031-32. This matters because data centre cooling
specifications differ fundamentally from comfort cooling, and suppliers
qualified for mission-critical infrastructure capture higher-value contracts.
Residential AC Penetration Remains Low at Around 11%
LG Electronics India noted that AC penetration is still at
around 11% in a country of India’s scale, leaving substantial headroom for
growth. The tropical climate, extended summer season, and delayed monsoon onset
sustained demand well beyond the typical peak period. This matters because the
residential segment, which holds 55.8% share, has not saturated, and first-time
buyers in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities represent the largest incremental volume
pool.
Regulatory Push Toward Domestic Value Addition
The 2026 Quality Control Order requires manufacturers to
submit a domestic value addition plan alongside import records, and the PLI
baseline is around 20–25% domestic value addition against a target of 75–80% by
2028-29. Localization of compressors, motors, copper tubes, heat exchangers,
and controls can compress import exposure and improve lead times. This matters
because supply chain localization is becoming a condition of market
participation, and manufacturers that build domestic component ecosystems reduce
exposure to currency and shipping disruptions.
Opportunities in the India HVAC Market
Precision Cooling for AI Data Centres
Samsung’s Pune plant will produce AHUs, Fan Wall Units, and
CRAHs specifically for AI data centres, with proximity to Mumbai port improving
logistics for Asia-Pacific customers. The opportunity lies in supplying
mission-critical cooling equipment for hyperscale and colocation facilities,
where precision temperature and humidity control command premium pricing and
long-term service contracts.
Compressor Localization Under Import Caps
The Quality Control Order caps small hermetic compressor
imports at 30–40% of FY2024-25 levels through March 2027, while VRF compressors
remain at 100%. The opportunity lies in domestic compressor manufacturing for
room ACs, where the import cap creates a defined supply gap that local
production must fill, and manufacturers that establish capacity early secure
OEM contracts.
Commercial HVAC for IT Parks and Infrastructure
Commercial end users hold 44.2% share, supported by
expanding office spaces, retail malls, hospitality investment, and healthcare
infrastructure, with VRF units, chillers, and packaged platforms serving IT
parks, institutional buildings, metro rail projects, and airports. The
opportunity lies in integrated HVAC solutions for large commercial projects,
where Daikin’s planned R&D hub for data centres and large facilities
signals growing demand for high-capacity systems.
Challenges in the India HVAC Market
Raw Material Cost Inflation Squeezes Margins
Cooling appliance makers implemented price hikes of 8–15%
since March 2026 due to rupee depreciation and rising raw material costs, but
Blue Star’s managing director noted that the full impact was not passed on to
consumers, impacting margins across the industry. This matters because input
cost inflation cannot be fully recovered through pricing without dampening
demand, particularly in the price-sensitive residential segment.
Monsoon Onset Cools Demand After Peak Season
Demand momentum that built through April and May moderated
in June as the monsoon set in, with Blue Star noting that market momentum was
lost before it could fully build, and Godrej Appliances reporting that AC sales
moderated across regions as monsoon gained momentum. This matters because HVAC
demand is highly seasonal, and a delayed or weak monsoon extends the selling
window while an early monsoon cuts it short, creating inventory risk for
manufacturers and retailers.
Compressor Import Restrictions Constrain Supply
Flexibility
The Quality Control Order’s import caps require
manufacturers to reduce small compressor imports to 30–40% of prior-year levels
while submitting domestic value addition plans, even as demand is running at
record levels. This matters because the restriction limits manufacturers’
ability to scale production using imported components during peak demand, and
domestic compressor capacity may not be sufficient to close the gap
immediately.
Key Market Segments in the India HVAC Market
The India HVAC Market is segmented by product type, end
user, and region.
Direct Expansion Systems Lead the India HVAC Market by
Product Type
Direct expansion systems lead with 62.4% share in 2025 due
to widespread adoption of split, window, and packaged air conditioners across
residential and small commercial premises, offering lower upfront costs, easier
installation, and broad dealer availability. Central air conditioning follows
at 37.6%, serving commercial real estate, hospitals, hotels, malls, and
industrial facilities requiring uniform cooling across large spaces, with VRF
units, water-cooled chillers, and packaged rooftop systems supporting the
segment.
Residential Leads the India HVAC Market by End User
Residential leads with 55.8% share due to rising household
incomes, denser urban housing, longer summers, and increasing demand for indoor
comfort, with Tier-1 metros leading in absolute volumes while Tier-2 and Tier-3
cities accelerate in incremental adoption. Commercial follows at 44.2%,
supported by office spaces, retail malls, hospitality investment, and
healthcare infrastructure, with VRF units, chillers, and packaged platforms
serving IT parks, metro rail projects, and airports.
North India Leads the India HVAC Market by Region
North India leads with 32.6% share due to extreme summer
temperatures across Delhi-NCR, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, dense urban
populations, and substantial residential and commercial cooling demand. South
India follows at 28.4% and is the fastest-growing region, driven by IT and
commercial real estate expansion in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai,
alongside rising household cooling demand in Tier-2 cities such as Coimbatore,
Kochi, and Visakhapatnam.
Who Are the Key Players in the India HVAC Market?
Latest Recent Developments in the India HVAC Market
In August 2026, Samsung completed a new HVAC manufacturing
facility in Pune operated by FläktGroup, its first new plant since acquiring
the HVAC specialist in November 2025. The 13,826-square-metre facility will
produce Air Handling Units, Fan Wall Units, and Computer Air Handlers for AI
data centres, scaling to 6,500 units annually.
In June 2026, Daikin’s board approved the formation of
Daikin Research and Development India Private Limited with an initial capital
of ₹8 billion, and a new R&D centre in Haryana expected to be completed by
June 2028, focused on HVAC systems for data centres and large-scale
infrastructure across Asia, Oceania, and Africa.
In May 2026, the Air Conditioner and Related Parts, Hermetic
Compressors and Temperature Sensing Controls (Quality Control) Amendment Order,
2026 took effect, capping small hermetic compressor imports at 30–40% of
FY2024-25 levels through March 2027, while VRF compressors remain at 100%, and
requiring manufacturers to submit domestic value addition plans.
Customization Note: If you require any specific
information not covered within this report’s scope, we will provide it as part
of the customization.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How large is the India HVAC market and how fast is it
growing?
The market reached USD 13.56 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD
49.02 Billion by 2034, expanding at 14.89% CAGR during 2026–2034.
Q2. What is driving market growth in 2026?
The 2026 BEE star rating revision, Samsung’s Pune plant for AI data centre
cooling, Daikin’s planned R&D hub in Haryana, and compressor import curbs
under the 2026 Quality Control Order are the primary drivers.
Q3. Which segments dominate the India HVAC market?
Direct expansion systems lead by product type at 62.4%, residential leads by
end user at 55.8%, and North India leads by region at 32.6%.
Q4. Why is data centre cooling becoming a major segment?
India’s data centre capacity reached 1,500 MW in 2025, quadrupling from 375 MW
in 2020, and Samsung’s Pune plant is specifically producing AHUs, Fan Wall
Units, and CRAHs for AI data centres, while Daikin’s R&D hub will focus on
large-scale infrastructure including data centres.
Q5. What are the biggest challenges facing the sector?
Raw material cost inflation squeezing margins, monsoon onset cooling demand
after peak season, and compressor import restrictions constraining supply
flexibility are the key constraints.
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