Studies show that the transmission of viruses, such as the one causing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), can be prompted by air-conditioning ventilation.

This webinar aims to increase awareness on the use of smart digital technologies and innovations to improve disease resilience and energy efficiency of centralized heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in public buildings.

Speakers will talk about innovations in monitoring and control of centralized air-conditioning systems and present real-world examples of smart, clean, and disease-resilient cooling systems.  

The risks of virus transmission are higher in developing countries because of poor hygiene, use of old air-conditioning equipment, lack of regular maintenance, and overcrowding in closed spaces. Additionally, inefficient centralized air-conditioning systems in many developing countries in Asia account for up to 50% of energy consumption in public buildings. 

Advanced air-conditioning systems with energy-saving technologies, coupled with demand-side management techniques could lead to 45% energy savings.

Such systems can also address cooling systems' reliance on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a greenhouse gas potentially thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide. Proper management of HFCs are critical to addressing greenhouse gas emissions from centralized air-conditioning systems.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is implementing a knowledge and support technical assistance, Regional Support to Build Disease Resilient and Energy Efficient Centralized Air-conditioning Systems, to promote disease-resilient clean energy development in developing member countries (DMCs). The technical assistance will help DMCs improve energy efficiency, mitigate the risks of virus transmission, and ensure safe working conditions in public buildings by deploying efficient, clean, and smart cooling systems.