With the alarming rise in climate catastrophes, environmental stability has been a growing concern. Consequently, more and more industries, including airlines, electronics, and many others, are reorienting themselves and shifting to green energy sources for increased sustainability.
The demand for electricity continues to grow phenomenally, which necessitates the mitigation of environmental ill-effects of our energy consumption habits. When it comes to keeping carbon footprint in check and minimizing other harmful emissions, renewable energy is the best bet. It can go a long way in not only ensuring cleaner communities but also saving costs for businesses.
Green cooling is a major initiative in that direction that can contribute immensely to responsible power usage.
What is Green Cooling
Based on the concept of using natural refrigerants to create energy-efficient appliances and buildings, green cooling is a promising way to keep us and the planet cool in an eco-friendly manner. Since the phenomenon of cooling involves both direct and indirect emissions, the objective is to reduce such emissions by using natural refrigerants that are less expensive and have a low impact on the environment as compared to synthetically produced F-gases.
Why Green Air Conditioning is the Way Forward
Thanks to global warming, the use of ACs has hit an all-time high. However, since they use a lot of electricity, the emission of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is to unfavorable degrees, which contributes to global warming.
Besides, ACs also use refrigerants, a compound that is responsible for removing heat from the air that circulates through the AC. If this refrigerant starts leaking, it can cause a warming effect and adversely affect the environment.
Here’s how air conditioning manufacturers and AC technicians are promoting green cooling to make ACs environment-friendly:
Renewable energy sources:
Reducing electricity consumption can diminish the adverse environmental effects of AC systems. Solar air conditioning options can be easily integrated into your home AC system for effective cooling without excessive energy consumption.
R-410A refrigerant:
Over the last few years, most air conditioners have been employing the R-410A refrigerant, a preferable option to R-22 (Freon), as it is less damaging to the environment as well as human health, nor does it harm the ozone layer. If you’re buying a new AC unit, you should go for a model that uses this refrigerant; alternatively, you can hire a professional technician to update an older air conditioner to R-410A from R-22. However, do keep in mind that investing in a more energy-efficient model is a more viable financial option than retrofitting an aging unit any day.
Evaporative cooling:
In this system, the AC works by pulling the outdoor air in and making it pass over water-saturated pads. The water evaporating into the air causes it to cool, and the cooler directs the cool air into the room. An alternative to traditional air conditioners, this method does not involve any refrigerant and consumes less than half the energy of conventional air conditioners. This technique is only effective in areas that don’t get too hot and have low humidity.
Enhanced energy efficiency:
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) is the parameter that determines the energy efficiency of an air conditioner. A higher number is indicative of a more efficient unit. Most new-age ACs have a SEER of at least 13, but according to the revised HVAC guidelines of 2023, the top green air conditioners will have a SEER of around 26. You may feel some pocket pinch when buying high-SEER air conditioners, but in the long run, they are cost-effective by saving money on your utility bills, which makes them better than their low-SEER alternatives. Also, note that an AC with a SEER of 15 or more can earn the Energy Star certification; buying Energy Star products can earn you additional rebates and tax credits.
Additional Tips for Green Air Conditioning
Upgrading an AC comes at a price; if your existing AC unit is functioning well, replacing it only for a greener alternative is not reasonable. Consider the following tips to operate your existing AC in an eco-friendly way:
- Set your AC to 78℉ in the summer
- Set your AC’s fan to “auto” instead of “on” through the thermostat
- You can consider changing the air filters to ensure the effective circulation of air
- Schedule annual AC tune-ups so that the unit keeps operating in a peak condition
- Get your ductwork checked for leaks and blockages
- If you want one room cooler than others, you can install a mini split AC instead of cooling the entire house
- Keep your windows covered so that excessive sunlight cannot heat your house
- Avoid using appliances that generate heat, such as lamps, ovens, clothes dryers, etc.
What The Future of Green Air Conditioning Holds
Given the fast-paced industry advancements and regulation changes, there’s a lot to anticipate regarding eco-friendly air conditioning. Several big brands and independent researchers are making heavy investments to minimize the harmful environmental impact of ACs. While some are focusing on new evaporative cooling techniques, others are experimenting with refrigerant compounds that are environmentally safe. Still, some others are building renewable energy sources to power HVAC systems.
