This document discusses ways that air conditioning systems can enhance green technology. It describes three key ways: 1) Using propane as a refrigerant instead of harmful gases, as propane has low environmental impact and is non-toxic. 2) Implementing hydronic radiant heating and cooling systems which reduce the need for mechanical air conditioning and are more efficient. 3) Employing ice-powered air conditioners which use ice made from off-peak electricity to provide cooling and reduce energy consumption.

1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONS)
BUILDING SERVICES II
(BLD60503)
TOPIC: WAYS OF HOW AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
CAN ENHANCE GREEN TECHNOLOGY
NAME: LOO SIAH MONG
STUDENT ID: 0321995
LECTURER: DR. KAM KENN JUHN
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 29TH
MAY 2017, MONDAY
WORDS COUNT: 2099 WORDS

2. Introduction to green technology
The term green technology 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. The field of "green technology" encompasses a continuously
evolving group of methods and materials, from techniques for generating
energy to non-toxic cleaning products.1 As we know, greenhouse effect is a
major problem that runs in the current environment. Greenhouse effect is the
mechanism by which thermal radiation from earth’s surface is reabsorbed by
greenhouse gases and redirected in all directions. Some of the major
greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone.
As the name implies green technology means long and short term impact an
invention has on the environment. In order to enhance a better of the
environment, green inventions are environmentally friendly inventions that
often involve energy efficiency, recycling, safety and health concerns,
renewable resources, and more. In Malaysia's long-term development plans
and Malaysia has recognized green technology as one of the key drivers of
national economic growth. Malaysia is determined to become a major player
in green technology and renewable energy.
Introduction to Green Technology (2017). [online] Available at:
https://www.thoughtco.com/introduction-to-green-technology-1991836 [Accessed 23 May 2017]
Green-technology.org. (2017). [online] Available at: https://www.green-technology.org/what.htm
[Accessed 15 May 2017]
Benefits, W. (2017). What is Green Technology and Its Benefits. [online] U.S. Green Technology.
Available at: http://usgreentechnology.com/green-technology/ [Accessed 23 May 2017]

3. Advantages of green technology
Today the environment is racing towards the tipping point at which we would
have done permanent irreversible damage to the planet earth. It can
effectively change waste pattern and production in a way that it does not
harm the planet and we can go green. One of the most obvious benefits to
building with green technology is the environmental impact by helping to
manage and recycle waste material. It allows it to be used for beneficial
purposes. Green technology uses renewable natural resources that never
depletes and uses innovative energy generation technique. Green technology
purifies water by scarcity of pure drinking water is a major concern. Through
the use of various technologies a lot of campaigns have been successful in
providing people with clean drinking water. Other than that, green technology
also helps to purify the Air with dealing with emitting a lot of carbon that is
detrimental to the planet. Through the use of this technology tress are
replanted, waste is managed and recycled. This helps to ensure that a lot of
plant and animal species don’t go extinct.
What is an air conditioning system
Air conditioning is a process of altering the properties of air, primarily
temperature and humidity to more favorable temperature. The control of
these conditions may be desirable to maintain the health and comforts of
occupants or to meet requirements of industrial processes irrespective of the
external climatic conditions. Air conditioner is a part of a central heating and
cooling system that draws heat energy out of the house and transfers it to
the outside air. An air conditioner can change the temperature, humidity or
general quality of the air. In short, an air conditioner makes our home cooler,
by drawing heat energy out of the house and transferring that heat to the
outdoors, then replacing the air inside home with cooler air. The main goal of
having air conditioning system is to keep it more comfortable inside the house
than it is outside.

4. Impact of air conditioning system to green technology
Air conditioning systems used electricity to generate power, while most
electricity is generated at coal-fired power plants, it conduct to both global and
personal health consequences. Air conditioning has been around for about a
century and for many people, it is just used for comfort but for most people in
these extremely hot conditions. These gases include the chlorofluorocarbons
and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons. They have a negative impact on the
environment as they are part of the greenhouse gases that trap heat and lead
to depletion of the ozone layer. With continuous use of an air conditioning
system, the air filters lose a bit of their integrity and allow passage of harmful
compounds from outside into home or office. These can trigger allergies and
in some cases even cause eye, nose and throat irritation.
Furthermore, there is the issue that air conditioning systems consume a lot
more electricity and put a strain on the electricity generation industry. With the
world going green, air conditioning is becoming frowned and there have been
a lot of ongoing research into greener cooling systems in order to save the
environment but these innovations are not spreading quickly enough.
___________________
Harmful effects of air conditioning on our environment(2017). [online] Available at:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/harmful-effects-air-conditioning-our-environment-pat-wessels
[Accessed 23 May 2017]

5. Ways of air conditioning system enhancing green technology
1. Uses of propane as a refrigerant
As the industry takes a look at refrigerants beyond HFCs, a lot of attention has
been focused on CO2 (carbon dioxide). According to the research, R-290 or also
known as propane can be used as a substitute refrigerant, it does not have
ozone depletion potential and it has a negligible direct global warming effect. It is
an organic compound which is made up of carbons and hydrogens only, they are
called hydrocarbons. Propane can also be used with semi-hermetic and hermetic
compressors.
The mineral oils usually found in a chlorofluorocarbon system can be used here
as a lubricant over a wide application range. Furthermore, a rising trend can be
seen in its use with commercial refrigeration systems and chillers. This should
obtain a good performance match with halocarbon refrigerants. Apart from
measures previously mentioned, propane plants require practically no special
features in the medium- to low-temperature ranges. When sizing components,
consideration should, however, be given to the relatively low mass flow An
advantage in connection with this is the possibility of a greatly reduced refrigerant
charge. An advantage in connection with this is the possibility of a greatly
reduced refrigerant charge. The uses of propane as refrigerant is increasing due
to its low environmental impact, excellent thermodynamic performance and is
non-toxic with zero Ozone Depletion Potential and very low Global Warming
Potential.
________________________
Emersonclimate.com. (2017). Propane Refrigerant. [online] Available at:
http://www.emersonclimate.com/en-us/Resources/Refrigerants/Pages/propane-refrigerant.aspx
[Accessed 23 May 2017]
Putting propane into the refrigerant loop, (2017). [online] Available at:
http://www.achrnews.com/articles/94191-putting-propane-into-the-refrigerant-loop [Accessed 23
May 2017]

6. 2. Hydronic Radiant System
A radiant heating and cooling system refer to temperature-controlled surfaces
that exchange heat with their surrounding environment through convection and
radiation. Hydronic radiant heating and cooling system is water based radiant
system .A radiant heating system used in buildings is comprised of heating
elements embedded in building surfaces and a heat or energy source for those
elements. Electric radiant heat was installed in ceilings, using either flat electrical
resistance heaters atop ceiling drywall or in special gypsum-board panels
containing electric resistance heat wiring. Similar systems were occasionally
installed in poured concrete floors or under tile floors.2 But as most widely used
in modern installations, radiant heat is installed in or beneath building floors using
flexible tubing heated by water or a water-antifreeze mix that is in turn heated by
a heating boiler.
To put it briefly, this system allows the reduces of operation cost for mechanical
air conditioning system, amount of piping and ducting, increases total efficiency
of total cooling system and require less maintenance cost and cost effective in
long term which leads to a green environment.
Inspectapedia.com. (2017). Radiant Heat System Controls, Definitions, Terms. [online] Available
at: http://inspectapedia.com/heat/Radiant_Heat_Controls.php [Accessed 23 May 2017]

7. 3. Ice-powdered Air conditioner
Uses an ice-powered air-conditioning unit called the Ice Bear to cool buildings
and in most cases, reduce a building's total net energy consumption. When the
Ice Bear is switched from its Ice Charging to Ice Cooling mode, it provides
cooling for up to six hours. After its ice has melted, the job of cooling reverts back
to the building's conventional commercial A/C unit; it shows how the system
works in conjunction with a conventional unit. Ice storage provides a clean,
reliable and least-cost distributed energy storage solution for the grid and
improves the efficiency and resiliency of the grid; lower cooling bills and reduces
carbon emissions.
This system is an innovative energy storage solution designed to shift electricity
use from peak hours, when rates are high, to off-peak hours when rates are low.
It eliminates the need for high-priced peak power, boosts grid resiliency and
increases energy efficiency. Likewise, home ice storage system has the potential
to transform the electric grid by enabling utilities to gain visibility and control over
the largest residential peak load-cooling. Besides, Ice bear technology gives
utilities full control of consumer cooling loads. It changes the way utilities manage
peak demand and helps them transform air conditioning load into a clean, flexible
and responsive grid resource.
By using less electricity and at a lower price during off-peak hours, homeowners
can reduce their cooling bills by up to 40%. They can also take advantage of
solar over-generation by selling excess electricity to the grid. This system is most
efficient in areas where nights are significantly cooler than days. That being said,
Ice bear units are well suited for all climates.
_____________________
Ice Energy. (2017). Technology - Ice Energy. [online] Available at: https://www.ice-
energy.com/technology/ [Accessed 24 May 2017].
Altenergymag.com. (2017). What is an Ice Battery? | AltEnergyMag. [online] Available at:
http://www.altenergymag.com/article/2016/04/what-is-an-ice-battery/23515 [Accessed 24 May
2017].

8. 4. Variable Air Volume system
Variable Air Volume is a type of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system.
Unlike constant air volume (CAV) systems, which supply a constant airflow at
a variable temperature, VAV systems vary the airflow at a constant temperature,
and were developed to be more energy efficient and to meet the varying heating
and cooling needs of different building zones. VAV systems can save as much as
30 percent in energy costs as compared to conventional dual duct systems. In
addition, they are economical to install and to operate. Duct sizes and central air
handling units are smaller and the design and installation is generally much
simpler. The fan was sized for the maximum probable load. As the air volume for
the zones varied, the static pressure (SP) in the main duct tended to vary. An SP
sensor in the main duct controlled the fan output to maintain a constant supply
duct static pressure. The fan output was varied either by fan inlet vanes or by a
damper at the fan outlet.
VAV main function is used to control the optimum temperature of a building to
satisfy the requirement towards thermal comfort of occupants. However,
depending upon the position of the zone dampers, the zones were subject to
delivering too much cold supply air, which sometimes created drafts and air noise.
As a conclusion, it explains how the design of VAV system can had significantly
reduce energy use and helps in enhancing green technology.
_____________________
Achrnews.com. (2017). Variable Air Volume Systems. [online] Available at:
http://www.achrnews.com/articles/98592-variable-air-volume-systems [Accessed 24 May 2017].
Anon, (2017).

9. 5. Chilled Water Air Conditioning Systems
System that employs water chillers are commonly called chilled water system.
As its name suggest, this system makes use of water as its secondary refrigerant.
Chiller is used to remove heat from the water which is then circulated through
other components to absorb heat from the space. Chilled water air conditioning
systems are commonly used in applications that need large cooling capacity
such as hypermarket. More and more homes are using this system to air
conditioned their entire house because of its cost-effectiveness and no hazard of
having refrigerant piped all over the house. This makes it an excellent choice
compared to other secondary refrigerants such as sodium chloride brines,
propylene glycols, ethylene, methanol or glycerin.
While in the direct expansion type of central air conditioning plants, refrigerant is
directly used to cool the room air; in the chilled water plants the refrigerant first
chills the water, which in turn chills the room air. In chilled water system, the
ordinary water or brine solution is chilled to very low temperatures of about 6 to 8
degree Celsius by the refrigeration. This chilled water is pumped to various floors
of the building and its different parts. The chilled water flows through the cooling
coil. The blower absorbs return air from the air conditioned rooms that are to be
cooled via the ducts. This air passes over the cooling coil and gets cooled and is
then passed to the air conditioned space.
_____________________
Altiche (2017). Water Chilled Airconditioning. [online] Slideshare.net. Available at:
https://www.slideshare.net/taratitz/airconditioning-repaired [Accessed 24 May 2017]

10. Lastly, chillers in the systems operate in such a way that much quiet than other
air cooling systems. The flow of water within the system is less susceptible to
the expansion and contraction ducts and vents. The level of quietness is
dramatically important for the occupants in building as it will affect the
productivity and comfortless, it is particularly sensitive at public area like
hospitals and schools where noise would be distracting. And it explains how
chilled water air conditioning system will able to help to enhance green
technology.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is being to say that non-renewable will soon replace by green
technology as it be able to resolve environmental problems as well as increase
economic growth. With the help of 4 pillars focused in the Green Technology
Policy, which is energy that helps to seek to attain energy independence and
promote efficient utilization, environment that conserve and minimize impact on
environment and lastly economy and social, the social equity Pillar will help
social agencies and residents to raise awareness about social needs, it shall able
to help governments to enhance and alter green technology to transform a better
environment. As a responsible human we also ought to have initiatives to make
the first move in changing the environment.
(2099 words)

11. References
a. Introduction to Green Technology, (2017). [online] Available at:
https://www.thoughtco.com/introduction-to-green-technology-1991836
[Accessed 23 May 2017]
b. Green-technology.org. (2017). [online] Available at: https://www.green-
technology.org/what.htm [Accessed 15 May 2017]
c. Benefits, W. (2017). What is Green Technology and Its Benefits. [online]
U.S. Green Technology. Available at:
http://usgreentechnology.com/green-technology/ [Accessed 23 May
2017]
d. Harmful effects of air conditioning on our environment, (2017). [online]
Available at: a. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/harmful-effects-air-
conditioning-our-environment-pat-wessels [Accessed 23 May 2017]
e. Emersonclimate.com. (2017). Propane Refrigerant. [online] Available at:
http://www.emersonclimate.com/enus/Resources/Refrigerants/Pages/pro
pane-refrigerant.aspx [Accessed 23 May 2017]
f. Putting propane into the refrigerant loop, (2017). [online] Available at: a.
http://www.achrnews.com/articles/94191-putting-propane-into-the-
refrigerant-loop [Accessed 23 May 2017]
g. Hydronicheating.net. (2017). A Beginners Guide to Hydronic Heating.
[online] Available at: http://www.hydronicheating.net/ [Accessed 23 May
2017]
h. Ice Energy. (2017). Technology - Ice Energy. [online] Available at:
https://www.ice-energy.com/technology/ [Accessed 24 May 2017].
i. Altenergymag.com. (2017). What is an Ice Battery? | AltEnergyMag.
[online] Available at: http://www.altenergymag.com/article/2016/04/what-
is-an-ice-battery/23515 [Accessed 24 May 2017]

12. j. Achrnews.com. (2017). Variable Air Volume Systems. [online] Available
at: http://www.achrnews.com/articles/98592-variable-air-volume-systems
[Accessed 24 May 2017]. Anon, (2017)
k. Altiche (2017). Water Chilled Airconditioning. [online] Slideshare.net.
Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/taratitz/airconditioning-repaired
[Accessed 24 May 2017]