IIT Delhi researchers develop high efficiency hybrid airconditioner to cut electricity use

New Delhi: As rising temperatures intensify heat stress and drive a surge in cooling demand, researchers at IIT Delhi are developing a next-generation air conditioner designed to significantly reduce electricity consumption while maintaining indoor comfort.According to the India Cooling Action Plan by ministry of environment, forest and climate change, electricity demand for cooling in India is projected to triple by 2037-38 due to increasing temperatures and growing use of air conditioners in homes and offices. The surge is expected to strain natural resources and raise electricity costs for consumers.
To address this challenge, a research team from department of mechanical engineering, led by Prof Anurag Goyal and including PhD scholar Ananthakrishnan K, developed a laboratory-scale prototype of a high-efficiency hybrid air-conditioning system. Early tests indicate the technology could reduce electricity consumption by nearly one-third compared to conventional room ACs.According to researchers, unlike standard vapour-compression air conditioners, which remove humidity by overcooling air, an energy-intensive process, the new system uses a compact add-on module that directly removes moisture. The module employs a liquid desiccant, a salt solution that absorbs water vapour from incoming air. A thin polymer membrane separates the air from the solution, preventing salt particles from entering indoor spaces, a key limitation in earlier designs.The absorbed moisture dilutes the solution, which is then regenerated using waste heat already expelled by the AC's outdoor condenser unit. This eliminates the need for additional heaters or burners, improving overall efficiency."Under typical operating conditions, electricity consumption dropped from about 1,200 watts in a standard room AC to around 800 watts in the hybrid system, achieving roughly 33% energy savings while maintaining the same comfort levels," Goyal said. Estimated savings range from 28% in humid regions to over 41% in dry climates.Researchers expect the technology to support sustainable cooling solutions as India's demand for air conditioning continues to grow.