BUILDING SERVICES II

BLD 60503

ASSIGNMENT:
ENHANCEMENT OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY VIA AIR
CONDITIONING

Name of Student: Farah Aida Binti Shahar Sham

Student I.D: 0322962

Lecturer: Kam Kenn Jhun

Date of Submission: 29 May 2017

Word Count: 1910 words

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CONTENT

NO. CONTENT PAGE NO.

1.0 INTRODUCTION 3-4
2.0 THE EFFECTS OF AIR 5
CONDITIONING SYSTEM
3.0 ENHANCEMENT OF GREEN 6
TECHNOLOGY VIA AIR
CONDITIONING

3.1 SOLAR AIR CONDITIONING 7

3.2 ICE STORAGE AIR 8
CONDITIONING
3.3 INVERTER AIR 9
CONDITIONING
3.4 RADIANT COOLING SYSTEM 10
3.5 ABSORPTION CHILLER AIR 11-12
CONDITIONING
4.0 CONCLUSION 13
5.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY 14-15

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1.0 INTRODUCTION OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Green technology means a technology that is considered as an eco friendly technology

that causes less damage to the environment. It is also known as environmental
technology. It’s main goal is to conserve the environment and manage the scare
resources. Green technology is a relatively young marketplace but investor interest
runs very high in response to global warming fears and the increasing scarcity of
many natural resources.1

Green technology is the application of one or more of environmental science, green

chemistry, environmental monitoring and electronic devices to monitor, model and
conserve the natural environment and resources, and to curb the negative impacts of
human involvement.2 The future hopes of green technology is that this technology
would help in creating a sustainable environment and changing people’s daily life
that involves technologies that would cause destruction to the environment. In these
early stages, it is impossible to predict what "green technology" may eventually
encompass.3

1Staff, I. (2017, May 12). Green Tech. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/green_tech.asp

2C. (Ed.). (2012, March 19). Do green techologies really improve our environment? Retrieved from
http://ts-1.eee.hku.hk/ccst9015sp12/greentech2/introduction/

3 Green Technology what is it? (n.d.). Retrieved May 28, 2017, from https://www.green-
technology.org/what.htm

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Investors will find there are numerous sectors in green technology that currently
provide excellent opportunities for investments. They include:

 Energy: with energy often being considered the most pressing issue in the
green technology sector, the energy sector focuses on the development of
alternative fuels.

 Green Nanotechnology: this includes the manipulation of various materials

at the nanometer level, which could transform the way in which products are
manufactured.

 Green Chemistry: this encompasses the invention, development, and

application of chemical processes and products that are designed to eliminate
or reduce the generation and use of hazardous substances. 4

4 Relander, B. (2017, May 15). Investing in Green Technology – the Future Is Now. Retrieved May 28,
2017, from http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/040915/investing -green-technologythe-
future-now.asp

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2.0 THE EFFECTS OF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Air conditioning has existed for about a century and for a lot of people, it is just used
as a living comfort and as a luxurious object to own at home. Air conditioning has a
declining effect to the environment, it is said to make earth even hotter due to its
inducement to global warming.

The usage of air conditioning is causing terrible pollution to the environment by

emitting toxic gases into the environment. The gases that are involve are
chlorofluorocarbons and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons. They have a harmful impact on
the environment as they are part of the greenhouse gases that confines heat and lead to
depletion of the ozone layer. The problem is that the hotter our environment gets, the
more reliant we become on air conditioning systems. 5

According to Cox, approximately 80% of the impact of air conditioning on climate

results from the draw on fossil fuel–fired power plants. The remaining 20% comes
from the units' refrigerants. The liquid agents within the coils that are used to cool and
dehumidify the air. Different types of refrigerants have been used in air conditioners
over the years. The discovery that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are major contributors
to ozone-layer breakdown. Today these replacements are, themselves, being phased
out and replaced by hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs).6

5 Wessels, P. (2016, June 28). Harmful effects of air conditioning on our environment. Retrieved May
28, 2017,
from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/harmful-effects-air-conditioning-our-environ ment-pat-wessels
6 Dahl, R. (2012, December 1). Cooling Concepts. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/778174_2

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3.0 ENHANCEMENT OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY VIA

AIR CONDITIONING.

3.1 Solar Air Conditioning.

The difference between a solar air conditioner and a conventional unit is that the
former is powered not from grid electricity (at least during the day) but by electricity
generated from solar photovoltaic panels. 7 Solar power has pervading potential for
supplying energy for homes and other buildings. Photovoltaic panels and solar
converters convert the radiant energy of the sun’s rays into reusable alternative
current that can generate power into any electrical appliances or system in a building.

The picture above shows how the solar air conditioner runs. The PV cells and the
converter sends in electricity through the air conditioner to operate its components.
The battery stores power for the time when there is no sun power obtainable. Solar

7The Advantages of Solar Air Conditioning. (2015, June 02). Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
http://abcofsolar.com/solar-air-conditioning/

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energy is a renewable energy source and produces zero greenhouse gas emissions. It
also decrease the demand on electric grids.8 Solar air conditioners can reduce or even
eliminate the need for electricity altogether. Choosing a solar-powered air
conditioning system offers many benefits, both in terms of your finances and your
environmental impact.9

83 Benefits of Using a Solar Air Conditioning System. (2015, April 20). Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
http://www.premierindoor.com/blog/solar/3-benefits-of-using-a-solar-air-condition ing-system/

9 The Environmental Benefits of Solar Air Conditioners. (2015, August 05). Retrieved May 28, 2017,
from https://www.coolbreezecs.com/blog/air-conditioning/environmental-benefits-solar-air-
conditioners/

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3.2 Ice Storage Air Conditioning.

The usage of cooling with ice thermal storage can be the most cost-saving and a well
built system approach to cool apartments, universities, offices, shopping centers, and
other buildings, and provide a stabile source of low temperature fluids for process
cooling applications. These systems are also environmental friendly because they help
lower energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 10

Ice is produced in the thermal storage tank to store cold energy. The tank size can be
kept smaller than with water thermal storage tanks. The thermal storage air
conditioning system responds to peaks in cooling loads during the day by combining
cold energy stored during the night with that produced during daytime. Consequently,
the size of the installation capacity can be kept to almost half that of systems that do
not utilize thermal storage.

Ice storage air conditioning advantage is that this system doesn’t use AC unit to
operate during night time. This reduce the usage of electricity, electricity is cleaner
thus making this system more effective.

10 The Benefits of Ice Thermal Storage. (n.d.). Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
http://www.achrnews.com/articles /100644-the-benefits-of-ice-thermal-storage

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3.3 Inverter Air Conditioning.

Inverter Air Conditioner has been becoming people’s choice. The inverter air
conditioner has an advantage whereby this air conditioner system can maintain the
desired temperature with minimal temperature fluctuations. It acts as automatically
when the temperature increases the inverter air conditioner would cool the room’s
temperature and heat the room when the temperature is below the set temperature.
The amount of cooling or heating required by an air conditioning unit differs, it
depends on the outdoor temperature and the amount of accumulated heat in the room.
When the cooling or heating capacity needs to be increased, the compressor will
operate at a high speed and will increase the amount of refrigerant flow.
Conversely, during moderate outside temperatures for example, when the cooling and
heating capacity needs to be decreased, the compressor will operate at a low speed
and will decrease the amount of refrigerant flow. When the inverter air conditioning is
switched on, the compressor operates at a high speed in order to cool or heat the room
quickly. As the room temperature approaches the set temperature, the compressor
slows down, maintaining a constant temperature and saving energy. Any sudden
fluctuation in the room temperature, will be sensed and instantly adjusted to bring the
room temperature back to the set temperature. EcoAir inverter air conditioning use
between 30-50% less electricity to operate.11

11 E. (n.d.). Benefits of Inverter Air Conditioning. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
http://www.airconditioner.me.uk/Benefits_of_Inverter_Air_Conditioning.ht ml

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3.4 Radiant Cooling System.

Radiant cooling system cools the floor and the ceiling by absorb of the heat which are
radiated inside a room. When the floor is cooled, it is often indicate as radiant floor
cooling; cooling the ceiling occurs in homes with radiant panels. Although radiant
cooling system is potentially suitable for dry climates, this air conditioning system is
problematic for homes in more humid climates.

The air circulation used in this system is radiation and convection. Most radiant
cooling home applications in North America have been based on aluminum panels
suspended from the ceiling, through which chilled water is circulated. To be effective,
the panels must be maintained at a temperature very near the dew point within the
house, and the house must be kept dehumidified. In humid climates, simply opening a
door could allow enough humidity into the home to allow condensation to occur. The
panels cover most of the ceiling, leading to high capital expense for the systems. In all
but the most arid locations, an auxiliary air-conditioning system will be required to
keep the home's humidity low, adding further to the capital cost. Some manufacturers
do not recommend their use in homes. 12 Ventilation is needed to expel the moisture

12 E. (n.d.). Radiant Cooling. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from

http://www.heatboard.com/library/cooling_systems -other_technologies.html

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and maintain the air quality by putting inlet and outlet for air flow. As hot air lives up
to the ceiling, the heat will be exchanged out to internal space via water.

3.5 Absorption Chiller Air Conditioning.

Components of Absorption Chiller

Absorption Chiller Air Conditioner does not require electricity to operate. This air
condition operates on natural gas and solar energy. It does not produce a lot of noise
and suitable for places that needs to be quiet. This is because it doesn’t use any
mechanical compression. Absorption chillers are used more widely because of the
pronounced tendency to modern power The absorption chiller air conditioning, is less
damaging to the ozone layer as no CFCs gases are emitted. Most of the systems are
equipped with service valves for maintenance works. Get qualified technicians to
service the unit as the chemical used such as ammonia is toxic and flammable when
mixed with air. Ammonia and lithium bromide are also highly corrosive and reacts
with some metals. The tubing and fittings used should be made of steel or
aluminium13 In this air conditioning system, the evaporator and condenser used are
same as in compression system. The compressor is replaced by a heat generator, a

13A. (n.d.). Absorption Air Conditioning. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from http://www.airconditioning -
systems.com/absorption-air-conditioning.html

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pump to convert the pressure. It operates by absorbing and allowing water vapor in
and out from liquid refrigerant. The evaporated water is passed through, whereby the
surrounding heat and the actual cooling encounter. The process is on repeat while the
system runs, this is what causes the absorption chiller to be a renewable source of
energy.14

Advantages of using Absorption Chillers for Solar Air conditioning:

 Use of free heat source, the sun.

 Hot and/or cold water output during day time.

 Eliminates electricity use below 10% instead of 60%

 Environmentally friendly with zero emission.

 Low noise level near 50dB A.

Solar air conditioning that uses passive solar water heating panels can sometimes be
the alternative solution and may fit when a source medium of free or low-cost heat
such as solar thermal panels is available. Regretfully, as with all solar and renewable
energy products, the initial cost and space requirements for solar air conditioning and
solar cooling is extremely high.15

14 Biofuels watch (2016). Solar air conditioners. Retrieved May 28, 2017 from
www.biofuelswatch.com/solar-air-conditioners.html
15 Molaeb, N. (1970, January 01). Renewable Solar Energy. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from

http://renewable -solar-energ y.bl ogspot.my/2010/10/solar-air-conditi oning-how-solar-air.html

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CONCLUSION.

As a conclusion, I have learned that there are various ways of enhancement of

green technology via air conditioning. I strongly believe that by using the solar air
conditioning, ice storage air conditioning, inverter air conditioning, radiant cooling
system and absorption chiller air conditioning it would help maintain the environment
and stop global warming that had been cause by most of air conditioning gas,
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC).

As human beings, it is our role to take care of the environment and to prevent
damaging technology to destruct the environment. It is impossible to stop using air
conditioning in our daily lives as it provides comfort to human beings, we do live in a
temperature regulated world the least that we could do is to apply the green
technologies in our daily lives to reduce the damaging effect to the environment. We
should think of the future generations as well. Go green!

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BIBLIOGRAPHY.

1. 3 Benefits of Using a Solar Air Conditioning System. (2015, April 20). Retrieved
May 28, 2017, from http://www.premierindoor.com/blog/solar/3-benefits-of-using-
a-solar-air-conditioning-system/

2. A. (n.d.). Absorption Air Conditioning. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from

http://www.airconditioning-systems.com/absorption-air-conditioning.html

3. A. (n.d.). Absorption chiller – Advantages. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from

http://www.airtrackhvac.com/blog/absorption-chiller-advantages.html

4. A. (n.d.). Absorption chiller – Advantages. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from

http://www.airtrackhvac.com/blog/absorption-chiller-advantages.html

5. C. (Ed.). (2012, March 19). Do green techologies really improve our

environment? Retrieved from http://ts-
1.eee.hku.hk/ccst9015sp12/greentech2/introduction/

6. C. (Ed.). (2012, March 19). Do green techologies really improve our

environment? Retrieved from http://ts-
1.eee.hku.hk/ccst9015sp12/greentech2/introduction/

7. Dahl, R. (2012, December 1). Cooling Concepts. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/778174_2

8. E. (n.d.). Benefits of Inverter Air Conditioning. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
http://www.airconditioner.me.uk/Benefits_of_Inverter_Air_Conditioning.html

9. Green Technology what is it? (n.d.). Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
https://www.green-technology.org/what.htm

10. Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating | . (n.d.). Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
http://www.sundancepower.com/services/radiant-flooring-heating/

11. Molaeb, N. (1970, January 01). Renewable Solar Energy. Retrieved May 28,
2017, from http://renewable-solar-energy.blogspot.my/2010/10/solar-air-
conditioning-how-solar-air.html

12. Staff, I. (2017, May 12). Green Tech. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/green_tech.asp

13. The Advantages of Solar Air Conditioning. (2015, June 02). Retrieved May 28,
2017, from http://abcofsolar.com/solar-air-conditioning/

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14. The Benefits of Ice Thermal Storage. (n.d.). Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
http://www.achrnews.com/articles/100644-the-benefits-of-ice-thermal-storage

15. Wessels, P. (2016, June 28). Harmful effects of air conditioning on our
environment. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/harmful-effects-air-conditioning-our-environment-
pat-wessels

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