Bs assignment

School of Architecture, Building & Design
BUILDING SERVICES 2 (BLD 60503)
Student Name: NG HUOY MIIN
Student ID No: 0319097
Lecturer: Tan Hee Chai
Date of Submission: 21/10/2016
Assignment title: The various ways how air conditioning
systems can enhance green technology.
Word Count: 2010
August 2016 semester Page 1

In line with the green technology’s policy, critically analyze and discuss the various ways how air
conditioning systems can enhance green technology.
There is no doubt that green technology is the one that has “green” purposes. “Green” in
green technology does not refer to green color, however, is the impacts on environment by green
inventions. Green inventions are environmentally friendly and it can make a greener place and
transform the world in a much better living areas. The benefits reliance on green energy, including
the ability to decrease the “ecological footprint” on the plant and also alleviate energy security
issues while spurring economic growth which make changes in HVAC technologies. The increasing
prices of fuel and oil crisis has made the respective green technology get promoted recently. The air-
conditioning plays an important role to achieve the satisfaction level since Malaysia has a humid and
hot climate. Air conditioning aims to provide a comfortable atmospheric conditions, but still along
with some drawbacks. As of now, the greater use of air-conditioning systems led to the large amount
of electrical energy which currently going through a sustainability crisis. Excessive use of air-
conditioning systems undergo a significant increase of energy consumption which make clear that
the need of utilization of renewable energy sources and sustainable considerations. In order to
reduce the greenhouse gas emission and enhance energy saving, the substantial role of environment
friendly factors is the key should be highlighted. The few major issues that air-conditioning affect the
HVAC industry and the green technology, which including ozone depletion, global warming and toxic
refrigerants. Ozone depletion is the ozone depleting substances (ODS) released to the environment
and deplete the ozone layer. Another impact of green technology is global warming, which the
refrigerants are the major damage when it is released into the environment. Besides that, toxic
refrigerants also the factor of air conditioning affects the green technology. Most commercial
refrigerants which there has different toxic composition each and CFCs is more harmful to our health
and damage green technology. Basically, conventional air conditioners employ a vapor-compression
cycle to cool the ambient air temperature in a room. Vapor compression cycles are the major cause
of global warming and ozone layer depletion. The policy of green technology includes energy,
environment, economy, and social. Air conditioning can use a huge amount of energy and increase a
building’s energy consumption and associated carbon emissions by up to 100%. There are a low
percentage of the country use the renewable sources and it shows changes in HVAC systems are still
leaves plenty of room. In addition, it should be energy efficient that ensure productive use of energy
and waste also should be minimized in order to contribute to sustainable development. Besides that,
welfare and national competitiveness need to be increased too.
Nowadays, inverter air conditioning become more popular because it is the latest
technology in the HVAC that can enhance green technology. Traditionally, air conditioning system
used the compressor which has only ON or OFF type. It has a specific limit of either it reaches the
maximum capacity or none at all and cannot save the costs. However, for inverter air conditioning,
the temperature will always approach the set temperature and maintain a constant temperature to
saving energy. The inverter system compressor will work lesser when it senses the weather is cold to
make the temperature be comfortable. In hot day compressor work harder speed up to release
more refrigerant work at maximum to make it colder. Inverted air conditioning can typically save
power consumption and 30% to 50% less electricity to operate. The most important factors to use
inverter air conditioning is it is energy savings. The benefit outweighs the initial cost of long term.

The traditional system also will use more energy compared to inverter technology. Inverter air
conditioning consumes less power for as much as save money of occupants. Beside that, the big
benefit of this system is it can provide comfort to the users and quicker to achieve desired
temperature. There are no temperature fluctuations and maximizing comfort level. In addition to
the comfort, inverter air condition, runs quiet operation which quieter and no need worry about
noise when you sleep and improve quality of our life. Lastly, refrigerant R-410a which is ozone
friendly also is used in most of the inverter system. Therefore, using inverter system, definitely will
enhance the green technology and protect our environment.
Furthermore, variable air volume systems (VAV) are the best way to set up the air
conditioning in commercial and large industrial buildings and provide large saving in energy usage
and enhance green technology. VAV replaced CAV’s position for air-conditioning as CAV require
higher amount of energy for cooling system and require high air flow rates. VAV unit can maintain
same room temperature and provide more comfortable space conditions. VAV can hold a variable
amount of air and regulate the amount of cooling targeted more efficiently. Although the VAV
system is simple, but also energy efficient, which save as much as 30% in energy costs compared to
conventional dual duct systems. VAV are more common than CAV due to fan energy saving
potential. VAV can modulate more control of compressor to deliver further energy savings. VAV unit
reduces more energy consumed than using constant air volume (CAV) unit which unit has been
always cooperated full capacity until the temperature drops and increases to a specific limit and
then turns ON and OFF. Moreover, the VAV fan speed depending on the actual space temperature
automatically and modulate the refrigerant flow to maintain a constant supply air temperature. VAV
is economical to install because the duct sizes air handler are smaller. VAV can also control humidity
and dehumidifying the space efficiently.
Air conditioner refrigerant affects our environment which could also damage and impact on
the ozone layer. The CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) refrigerants often is used in number of refrigerating
and air conditioning systems. The chemicals we called it CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are contributing
to the greenhouse effect (global warming) and is the major cause of depletion of the ozone layer.
Therefore, CFCs and R-22 are dropping out nowadays because the additional chlorine component
will destroy the ozone layer of the earth. The first way to keep away damaged by CFCs, substituted
to “R-410A”is a good choice. It is a hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC), contain no chlorine and is considered
as ozone friendly. Governments and industry should design and operate chiller plants to maximize
Life-Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) and minimizing the combined emission of refrigerant from
the air conditioning chiller and greenhouse gases from the production of power for the chiller.
Propane(R290) is natural, organic compound(hydrocarbon)and therefore it is non toxic with zero
ODP(Ozone Depletion Potential) and negligible direct global warming effect. It’s suitable for use in a
range of air conditioning applications due to its low environmental impact and excellent
thermodynamic performance. Propane is readily available and it is an energy source that can be
used to to transport to different areas. Additionally, propane has been recognized as “green” energy
which is environment friendly. Propane leaks do not pool to pollute the ground and water because it
is stored in gas form. What’s more, propane has a relatively low mass flow, which compares to R-22

(approximately 55% to 60 %). It may know electricity requires the burning of coal which will emit
68% more greenhouse emissions than burning propane on the environment. The possibility of
reduced refrigerant charge give propane a great advantage of propane. Single-stage compressors
can be used down to approximately -40 °C evaporation temptation and propane can act alternative
for some of HFC blends contain no chloride. Moreover, propane is economical and efficient as it’s
less costly to operate than electric home. The costs of propane can be compared using BTU (British
Thermal Unit) and electricity is more than twice the cost of propane.
Chilled ceiling systems consist of chilled beams and radiant chilled ceilings which fulfill the
policy to enhance green technology. Radiant chilled ceilings are good alternative choice to
traditional air conditioning systems which have adequate temperature control and create excellent
air quality and comfortable indoor conditions. To meet additional cooling requirements, chilled
ceilings can be used in conjunction with chilled beam. Active beam supply volume of primary air
from a dedicated outside air system to the space and it decrease occurrences of dumping and the air
in the space is changed. It supplies a constant primary air volume and provide a superior occupancy
comfort. The superior energy capacity of water to make cooling in air conditioning is much more
economical than using refrigerant. A shallow unit of the chilled ceiling system requires 60% less
vertical space than conventional all air systems. The low volume space reduces the total volume of
air at the air handler up to 50% and require a smaller duct size that reduce overall energy.
Moreover, it has an energy saving potential due to utilize the heat transfer capacity of water and
trade-off between pumping power and fans energy. The energy use is reduced since water has more
efficiency movement and reduction in building fan use. The radiant heat transfer in the radiant
ceiling systems typically results in high thermal comfort that will cooler than the actual room
temperature. Besides, as compared to fans, the superior operational efficiency of pumps takes
advantage that chilled ceiling systems can utilize the heat transfer capacity of water and reduce fan
energy by a factor of 7 to deliver the same cooling to the space. Therefore, chill ceiling systems
need less conditioning than traditional system and increased opportunities for energy savings.
Ice powered air conditioning unit we called it Ice Bears, from a new company, Ice Energy can
be considered to enhance green technology by reducing a building’s total net energy consumption.
This air conditioner can use ice to cool the hot refrigerant rather than the AC unit’s compressor,
which keeps the building’s temperature comfortable. To decrease the tremendous amount of power
use in a hot day, it makes ice at night and cool the air conditioning units’ during the day. 450 gallons
of water in the tank was frozen and for the next day to use. It can provide cooling up to 6 hours
when the ice bear switched to cool mode. Ice Bear works in conjunction with A/C unit, so the job of
cooling reverts back to building’s conventional commercial Air-conditioning unit after the ice has
melted. As that reason it decreases the electricity, cooling bill save up to 40% of the building and
offers significant cost savings. It gets together the smart-grid technology with integrated cooling and
Ice Energy’s patented thermal storage. This combination can enable us easy control the residential
cooling load and the utilities get a solution to its peak power problems. During solar over-generation
periods, homeowners can obtain the cooling they desired. It is a green energy storage system that
residential AC load is transformed into a flexible resource for utilities while supply cooling systems to

users. There is no optimum capacity even big or small scale, it can be cost effective. Focus on
storage, Ice bear’s batteries have a longer lived as the units cost less. AC compressor will turn off and
provide cooling with stored ice when demand peaks and rates go up. It is also not impact any
environmental problems and suffer any degradation. Moreover, Ice Bears do no use any hazardous
or toxic material and easily to be recycled. Ice batteries can green up our environment with reduced
carbon emissions and nitrogen oxides emissions by supporting renewable energy.
As many countries in the world, resources, capacity in Malaysia has facing the energy crisis
and the only solution that is to propose sustainable developments make a point to enhance green
technology. The substantial role of environment friendly factors is the key should be highlighted to
reduce the greenhouse gas emission and enhance energy savings. The several ways mention above
should be carried out by modifying air conditioning systems. People should promote utilization and
attain energy independence efficiently. Take some action to conserve and minimize the impact on
the environment and therefore improve quality of life of all. Last of all, people should enhance the
national economic development through the use of green technology.
References:

Air Conditioner Refrigerant. (2016). Airconditioning-systems.com. Retrieved 20 October 2016,
from http://www.airconditioning-systems.com/air-conditioner-refrigerant.html
(2016). Retrieved 20 October 2016, from
http://www.unep.fr/ozonaction/information/mmcfiles/3973-e-buildingowners.pdf
R290 (CARE 40) Propane | Linde Industrial Gases. (2016). Linde Industrial Gases. Retrieved 20
October 2016, from http://www.linde-
gas.com/en/products_and_supply/refrigerants/natural_refrigerants/r290_propane/index.html
Inverter Air Conditioning. (2016). Airconditioning-systems.com. Retrieved 20 October 2016, from
http://www.airconditioning-systems.com/inverter-air-conditioning.html
Howard, R. (2016). More about Air Conditioning Systems. Cibseenergycentre.co.uk. Retrieved 20
October 2016, from http://www.cibseenergycentre.co.uk/more-about-air-conditioning.html
Ice Energy Introduces Ice Bear 20, an Ice Battery That Manages Residential Cooling Load for
Utilities - Ice Energy. (2016). Ice Energy. Retrieved 20 October 2016, from https://www.ice-
energy.com/ice-energy-introduces-ice-bear-20-ice-battery-manages-residential-cooling-load-
utilities/
Top 10 Green Heating and Cooling Technologies. (2011). HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 20 October
2016, from http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/construction/green/10-green-
heating-and-cooling-technologies8.htm
7 Green Technologies That Are Changing HVAC. (2016). HVAC Classes. Retrieved 20 October 2016,
from http://www.hvacclasses.org/blog/green-technologies-changing-hvac

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