Air conditioning can enhance green technology in several ways. Solar air conditioning uses solar thermal energy for cooling, reducing electricity usage and carbon emissions. Open loop cooling systems use solar hot water to power a desiccant cooling system, requiring minimal electricity. Ice storage air conditioning creates ice at night using excess energy, storing cooling capacity to use during the day and lowering energy costs. Inverter air conditioners use variable compressor speeds to precisely control temperatures, improving efficiency by 40-60% over conventional units. These methods allow air conditioning to provide comfort while reducing environmental impacts.

1.
SUBJECT
Building Services II
BLD60503
TOPIC
How air-conditioning
can enhance green
Technology?
NAME
Jacquelyn Vanessa Tee
0320021
LECTURER
Dr. Kam Kenn Jhun
WORD COUNT
2089 words

2. In this era of globalisation, our country should be concerned over rising energy prices and
their impact on our economic competitiveness in an unstable world. Global climate change has
the potential to dramatically alter the world environment. This is where green technology comes
in, to counter the issue.
But what exactly is “Green Technology”? Green Technology is the development and
application of products, equipment and systems used to conserve the natural environment and
resources, which minimize and reduces the negative impact of human activities. Green1
technology is the application of the environmental science and technology for the development
and application of products, equipment and systems to conserve the natural resources and
environment, as well as to minimize or mitigate the negative impacts on the environment from
human activities.
Thankfully, the Malaysian government wants to help the country promote sustainability.
Hence, the National Green Technology Policy was finally launched on 24th July in the year 2009
by our beloved prime minister. According to the Kementerian Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan
Air(KeTTHA), their primary objectives for implementing green technology is to minimize
growth of energy consumption while enhancing economic development.2
There are a few sectors that green technology can be applied to such as the energy sector,
building sector, water and waste management sector, as well as transportation sector. Though
apart from the energy, water and waste management sector and transport sectors, buildings are a
great contributor to the ever-increasing carbon emission and its impact on global warming. A lot
of buildings such as factories, hospital, university and recreation facilities need to be built due to
rapid urbanization. The government acknowledges the importance of the construction of green
buildings to achieve the goals of sustainable development.
As we all know, Malaysia is situated on the equator of our earth therefore we do not
experience four seasons. It is always hot and humid all year long, which would prompt many
people to find relief in the cool as well as the crisp breeze of air-conditioners. We as humans
naturally would want to maintain thermal comfort, hence this make air-conditioners very
essential in our life. About a decade ago, only 20% of air conditioners can be found in homes. As
1
​The Advantages and Disadvantages of Green Technology.​ [online] Available at:
http://www.krishisanskriti.org/vol_image/21Jan2016070139zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz04%20%20Monu%
20Bhardwaj%20_Applied%201957-.pdf
2
The National Green Technology Policy. ​[online] Available at:
http://portal.ppj.gov.my/c/document_library/get_file?p_l_id=17335&folderId=27605&name=DLFE-4709.pdf
[Accessed 28 May 2017]
Taylor’s University | Building Services II | ​“How can air conditioners enhance green technology?”
1

3. of the year 2014, it rose dramatically to 70% according to Climate Spectator. As much as how3
comfortable air conditioners can be to satisfy our needs, it does have its disadvantages that could
lead to harming the environment. Other than the fact that air conditioners releases carbon dioxide
and uses up a huge amount of energy, there are also some air conditioners that has refrigerants
that is one of the culprit to the contribution of global warming due to the fact that it emits and
releases CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs to the atmosphere. Due to all of the issues faced, air
conditioners has to be equipped with green technology in order to minimize the rising
environmental problems.
There are several ways of enhancing green
technology via air conditioning compared to the usual
conventional models. One of it is through ​solar air
conditioning. The thing about solar air conditioning is
that it is a task that converts solar thermal energy into
conditioned air. It is a system of cooling and heating that
utilises solar power, rather than electricity from the mains.
Solar air conditioning is a practical solution towards air
conditioning requirements through providing the
maximum cooling while making smaller contribution to
peak load hence reducing the need for peak supply infrastructure expansion and neutralizing the
electricity price rises. Although peak load typically occurs during the afternoon, once the sun has
reached its maximum intensity, solar energy system will incorporate with the storage system for
storing and enables cooling when desired. This system has several ways to incorporate it into
homes to reduce the carbon footprints as well as the electricity bill, which are the Conventional
Solar Powered Cooling Systems and ‘Open Loop’ Cooling Systems.
Conventional solar air conditioners utilise a standard vapour compression refrigeration
cycle to cool or heat the building in question. The essential principle is that heat in the building is
transferred to a refrigerant gas, which is then circulated out to a condenser where the excess heat
is dumped. Basically, cooling is activated and accomplished in closed cycle chillers through the
expansion of a refrigerant when solar heat applied and the heat rejected to the atmosphere and
the refrigerant compresses. Subsequently, there is the exposure to ambient temperatures at low
internal pressure resulting in re-evaporation of the refrigerant. Besides, it will absorb the heat and
produce the cooling effect. Then, the refrigerant is cooled again and re-condensed to complete
the cycle of the cooling system. Due to the fact that this process is being repeated while the
system is running, it puts it in a position whereby it is a renewable source of energy.
3
​Canstar Blue. (2017). ​What is solar air conditioning?​. [online] Available at:
http://www.canstarblue.com.au/appliances/cooling-heating/air-conditioners/what-is-solar-air-conditioning/
[Accessed 29 May 2017].
Taylor’s University | Building Services II | ​“How can air conditioners enhance green technology?”
2

4. Next, there is the ​“Open Loop” Cooling System​, also known as desiccant cooling
system or open cycle chiller is rather less common but is way more cost and energy efficient.
Figure 1.0 Diagram of how “Open Loop” Cooling System works
The process begins with a typical solar hot water system. Water is heated by a solar panel and
stored in a hot water tank. This solar hot water can then be used throughout the home, reducing
the need of gas and electricity.
The hot water enters the heat exchanger in the one compartment that uses the hot water to heat
the outside air that is been drawn into the compartment through the vent. At the same time,
outside air is also being drawn into the other compartment into a desiccant wheel. The desiccant
material in the wheel continuously absorbs moisture in one compartment while absorbent
material dries in the other compartment. The dry air from the desiccant wheel flows through an
indirect evaporative cooler which creates a stream of cool dry air, which later fits into the air
conditioners in our home.4
With that being said, looking at how the Open Loop Cooling System works it does
enhance green technology because it only needs a small amount of electrical energy to run the
evaporative cooling system. The heat from the sun is harnessed to make the solar energy be used
in a form of electricity to drive the systems, as well as enable the use of water as a medium of
heat transfer between the solar collector and the desiccants. Of course the cost price of this
system is costly, but again in the long-term it will save up so much of our money in the electrical
bill perspective, and most importantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
Reducing these gases will cause less harm to the ozone layer, which plays as one of the major
role in keeping the environment green.
4
Solar Powered Air Conditioning​. (2013). [video] Available at: https://youtu.be/cz-kquRmvqk [Accessed 25 May
2017].
Taylor’s University | Building Services II | ​“How can air conditioners enhance green technology?”
3

5. Next on the list of how air conditioning can enhance green technology is via an ​ice
storage air conditioning system​, whereby it is a process of using ice for thermal energy storage.
Ice storage cooling system create and capture thermal energy which is stored as ice through
heating or cooling a storage medium, that later will be used to maintain temperatures within a
building or industrial process.5
The process of this system starts from a heat pump that is linked to a bespoke ice storage
tank of any shape or size. A proprietary water-based solution is cooled during the night time or
simultaneously when there is a heating demand, taking advantage of lower energy prices and
capturing normally discarded waste heat or cold. This is called the ice charging mode, whereby
low temperature glycol is being run by a
designated ice-making chiller to freeze the
water inside the ice storage tank that continues
until the ice is fully frozen. The ice melts when
the building load increases and the difference
in temperature between the chilled water return
and the chilled water supply increases. During
the day, the stored thermal energy is carried by
the solution to cooling coils in an air handling
unit (AHU).
By using this system, almost about half of the energy taken up is in the form of thermal
energy. This is why it could actually help balance the energy demand and supply on a daily and
weekly basis. Most importantly, it can reduce energy consumption as well as carbon dioxide
being emitted into the atmosphere whilst increasing overall efficiency of energy systems.
Running costs can also be minimized compared to alternative air conditioning and
heating systems as the system focuses on the financial benefits of low cost, off-peak energy
tariffs and reduces the amount of equipment needed. With the ability to save cost and minimize
carbon dioxide emissions and great environmental advantages, ice storage cooling and heating
could be the best solution for any sort of building.
Besides that, ice storage air conditioning that does not need air conditioning unit to work
at night reduced the demand for electricity, making this system more efficient. Also, because this
system does not require the need of costly fossil-fuel peaker plants and supporting renewable
energy, it reduces greenhouse emissions without creating any hazardous waste or toxic material.
5
​Ice Storage Cooling - The Future of Air Conditioning​. [online] Available at:
http://www.groundsun.co.uk/content/ice-storage [Accessed 28 May 2017].
Taylor’s University | Building Services II | ​“How can air conditioners enhance green technology?”
4

6. This shows how it does not have much of an impact in the environment, but also reduce the
amount of billing cost at the end of the day.
Next we have inverter air conditioner​. In the HVAC field, Inverter Air Conditioner is
one of the newest technology that is becoming more favorable due to its environmental friendly
and energy savings approach. This air conditioner also provides comfort to the users which6
happens to be one of its advantage. Though this air conditioner does come with a really high
initial cost price, but the assurance of its low electricity consumption acts as an attractive value
proposition for consumers to invest in an inverter technology air conditioner.
How it works is that an inverter is used to control the speed of the compressor motor to
control the temperature. To control the speed of the compressor and the cooling or heating
output, the DC inverter units have a variable-frequency drive that comprises an adjustable
electrical inverter. The drive converts the incoming AC current to DC and then through a
modulation in an electrical inverter produces current of desired frequency. The inverter air
conditioning units have increased efficiency in contraction to traditional air conditioners,
prolonged life of their parts as well as the sharp fluctuations in the load are diminished. This
makes the inverter air conditioner units more silent, with the operating cost being low, and with
lesser breakdowns. The inverter air conditioning units might be more expensive than the constant
speed air conditioners, but this is balanced by lower energy bills.
The inverter air conditioning system also has a great emphasis on green technology.
Inverter technology can lower down the high-energy consumption by avoiding sudden inrush of
current, which are found and used in conventional air conditioners that have a typical on-off
mechanism. Therefore, by introducing inverter technology air conditioners, manufacturers are
supporting the green trend as they lower energy consumption by 40%-60%. Moreover, the heat
pumps used in these appliances reduce the carbon footprints by 60% in comparison to other
appliances that use fossil fuels.
Reasons to why inverter air conditioning can enhance green technology because it is
more energy efficient compared to the conventional air conditioner. The usual conventional air
conditioner is a non-inverter unit. It regulates the room temperature by utilising a compressor
until it reaches a desired level. When it does, the unit’s motor switches off. Once the level drop
to a certain point, the unit motor will automatically be switched back on. Because of this, units
that are non-inverter units consumes more energy to maintain the desired room temperature. The
green feature of the inverter air conditioning is that it has the ability to alter and modify their
compressor motor speed. This allows the motor speed to be controlled in order to maintain the
temperature without needing to lower down the power of the motor. With that being said after
6
​Inverter Air Conditioning​. [online] Available at:
http://www.airconditioning-systems.com/inverter-air-conditioning.html [Accessed 28 May 2017].
Taylor’s University | Building Services II | ​“How can air conditioners enhance green technology?”
5

7. the comparison, there is no denying that inverter air conditioning is much more energy efficient
than the ones that does not have an inverter installed in it. Also if you look at it in the long run,
the benefits of the inverter air conditioner outweighs the initial cost because it uses less energy.
Naturally, as a person we would all want to save money if we could. By having this air
conditioner installed in our homes, we are able to do so.
It also has an ozone friendly refrigerant installed in it that does not deplete our ozone
layer as much. The refrigerant only releases HFC gases, compared to the normal air conditioners
that releases CFC, HCFCs, and HFCs altogether. According to NASA, apparently HFC does not
cause as much damage to our ozone layer. This puts this air conditioner in a position where it is
eco-friendly, and a contributor to enhance green technology.
In a nutshell, no matter how air conditioning could act as a culprit in harming the
environment, there are always ways to counter that problem such as installing the types of air
conditioning systems that are mentioned above. In my opinion, every problem faced in the world
no matter what the situation is, there is always a solution and a light at the end of the tunnel. Air
conditioning may be a modern technology that owes ecology an apology, but with much
innovation, creativity and effort, enhancing green technology through it is achievable. If we do
not make a difference now, as time passes our ozone layer will slowly deplete until there is
nothing else to be depleted, which will put the human race in danger in terms of health. In the
words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, The future is green energy, sustainability, renewable energy”.
Taylor’s University | Building Services II | ​“How can air conditioners enhance green technology?”
6

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Schlossberg, T. (2017). ​How Bad Is Your Air-Conditioner for the Planet?​. [online]
Nytimes.com. Available at:
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/10/science/air-conditioner-global-warming.html?_r=0
[Accessed 28 May 2017].
2. Top 3 Trends Impacting the Global Inverter Technology Air Conditioner Market Through
2020: Technavio - Oil & Gas 360​. [online] Oil & Gas 360. Available at:
https://www.oilandgas360.com/top-3-trends-impacting-the-global-inverter-technology-air
-conditioner-market-through-2020-technavio/ [Accessed 28 May 2017].
3. Inverter Air Conditioning​. [online] Available at:
http://www.airconditioning-systems.com/inverter-air-conditioning.html [Accessed 28
May 2017].
4. What is the Inverter technology in air conditioners? - Inventor​. [online]
Inventorairconditioner.com. Available at:
https://www.inventorairconditioner.com/blog/faq/what-is-the-inverter-technology-in-air-c
onditioners [Accessed 28 May 2017]
5. Ice Storage Cooling - The Future of Air Conditioning​. [online] Available at:
http://www.groundsun.co.uk/content/ice-storage [Accessed 28 May 2017].
6. Solar thermal cooling and air conditioning - Technology - ST Energy - ESTIF​. [online]
Available at:
http://www.estif.org/st_energy/technology/solar_thermal_cooling_and_air_conditioning/
[Accessed 28 May 2017].
7. The National Green Technology Policy. ​[online] Available at:
http://portal.ppj.gov.my/c/document_library/get_file?p_l_id=17335&folderId=27605&na
me=DLFE-4709.pdf [Accessed 28 May 2017]
8. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Green Technology. [online] Available at:
http://www.krishisanskriti.org/vol_image/21Jan2016070139zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
zzzzzzz04%20%20Monu%20Bhardwaj%20_Applied%201957-.pdf
9. Cerchi, C. (2017). ​The Pros and Cons Inverter Air Conditioners​. [online] All Cool
Industries. Available at:
https://www.allcool.com.au/2014/06/16/the-pros-and-cons-inverter-air-conditioners/
[Accessed 28 May 2017].
10. Benefits of Inverter Air Conditioning​. [online] Available at:
http://www.airconditioner.me.uk/Benefits_of_Inverter_Air_Conditioning.html [Accessed
28 May 2017].
Taylor’s University | Building Services II | ​“How can air conditioners enhance green technology?”
7

9. 11. 7 Green Technologies That Are Changing HVAC​. [online] Available at:
http://www.hvacclasses.org/blog/green-technologies-changing-hvac [Accessed 28 May
2017].
12. Let's Use Solar Energy to Power Air-Conditioning, Save Billions and Cut Emissions |
Smart Cities Dive​. [online] Available at:
http://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/lets-use-solar-energy-powe
r-air-conditioning-save-billions-and-cut-emissions/312926/ [Accessed 28 May 2017].
13. Solar thermal cooling and air conditioning - Technology - ST Energy - ESTIF​. [online]
Available at:
http://www.estif.org/st_energy/technology/solar_thermal_cooling_and_air_conditioning/
[Accessed 28 May 2017].
14. Welcome to Hindustan Green Power Solutions Pvt Ltd​. [online] Available at:
http://hindustangreenpower.com/solarairconditioners.asp [Accessed 28 May 2017].
15. ice storage air-conditioning: Topics by Science.gov​. [online] Available at:
https://www.science.gov/topicpages/i/ice+storage+air-conditioning.html [Accessed 28
May 2017].
16. Solar Powered Air Conditioning. (2013). [video] Available at:
https://youtu.be/cz-kquRmvqk [Accessed 25 May 2017].
17. Canstar Blue. (2017). ​What is solar air conditioning?​. [online] Available at:
http://www.canstarblue.com.au/appliances/cooling-heating/air-conditioners/what-is-solar
-air-conditioning/ [Accessed 29 May 2017].
Taylor’s University | Building Services II | ​“How can air conditioners enhance green technology?”
8