CHARUDATHAN M.B.

SYNOPSIS

COST EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN AIR-CONDITIONING

Introduction Energy consumption by the building sector, especially the commercial and residential buildings, has always been high. Although figures may vary from country to country, about 30-40% of the total energy demand arises from commercial and residential buildings. Application of intensive energy conservation measures have stabilized energy consumption for heating in developed countries. However, energy needs for cooling have increased in a dramatic way. The prevalence of air conditioning is increasing rapidly all around the world. This has an important impact on energy and hence causes adverse environmental impacts. The impact of air conditioner usage on electricity demand is an important problem as peak electricity load increases continuously, forcing utilities to build additional plants. In parallel, serious environmental problems are associated with the use of air conditioning. During recent years, passive as well as more sustainable active cooling techniques has received a very important attention and important developments have been achieved. This paper discusses in detail, the various sustainable practices in air conditioning including passive as well as active techniques.

Need of the study Until recent years, energy efficiency has been a relatively low priority and a low perceived opportunity for building owners and investors. However with dramatic increase in the awareness of energy use concerns, and advances in cost effective technologies, energy efficiency is fast becoming part of real estate management and operation strategy The building sector accounts for one-third of the delivered energy in most of the countries. HVAC systems account for around 50-70 % of the energy consumed in commercial buildings. Clearly there is a growing need for energy conservation and steps are being taken in this respect. Energy efficient buildings will do justice to both the functional aspect as well as aesthetics with less power consumption.

CHARUDATHAN M.B. Although Green buildings account for an inflated cost, most of this goes into the new technologies adopted to conserve energy. However, the fact remains that if proper space planning and design of the buildings incorporating various passive techniques is done, this cost can be brought down significantly. Hence for effective performance of the buildings air-conditioning systems, an ideal integration of passive as well as energy efficient methods of active technologies is desirable. A know how of the ever changing sustainable and energy efficient technologies in the field of air conditioning along with the passive techniques is a must. Aim To study and analyse various practices and technologies in the field of air-conditioning aiming at energy efficiency and sustainability taking into account passive methods as well as sustainable alternative active techniques. Objectives To understand various systems that are in use for air conditioning and their advantages/disadvantages. To study the current trends in air conditioning with respect to energy efficiency and sustainability principles. To enlist various active and passive technologies in air conditioning that is in practice. Understand different alternative energy systems that can be productively incorporated to improve the air conditioning systems to achieve the sustainability goals. Evolve an energy efficient and cost effective methodology for air conditioning with an ideal integration of active as well as passive technologies Methodology Literature reviews o o Study of previous seminar and thesis reports done with similar scope to understand what amount of research has been done in this field Review of published books and papers, to know about various technologies and practices followed for energy efficient air conditioning, emerging green alternative methods in HVAC systems etc

CHARUDATHAN M.B. o Study various passive techniques to optimising the energy performance of buildings with respect to air conditioning Case studies o Study different live examples where in different methods have been successfully adopted to achieve energy efficiency in air conditioning Identification of an ideal approach for air-conditioning to ensure cost efficiency and maximum energy performance Chapter structure 1. Introduction a. Need of the study b. Aim c. Objectives d. Methodology 2. Literature reviews a. Published books b. Unpublished thesis and seminars 3. Air conditioning systems a. General planning and systems in air-conditioning b. Issues related to energy efficiency 4. Green alternatives/ technological advances in HVAC system a. Various measures to increase efficiency of the systems b. Latest innovations and sustainable methods for thermal comfort in buildings 5. Passive cooling methods a. Traditional and proven ways of achieving thermal comfort through design. 6. Case studies 7. Conclusion

CHARUDATHAN M.B. References Seminars and thesis

1991 Ajay Keshab

Planning and co ordination of services in buildings A comprehensive approach to HVAC services design in

2 3

1996 Roop bandyopadhay 1999 V.J Joshi

buildings Quality plan for air-conditioning Design considerations for energy efficient building

2009 Siddharth Singh

services

Books 1. Lechner, Robert, Heating, cooling, lighting; Sustainable design methods for architects, third edition 2. Parker, Dave, Microgeneration; Low energy strategies for larger buildings 3. HVAC Systems Design Handbook 4. Brumbaugh, James E., HVAC Fundamentals, Volume 3, Air-Conditioning, Heat Pumps, and Distribution Systems, 2004. 5. McDowall, Robert, Fundamentals of HVAC Systems, 2006.