Reducing the Environmental Impact of Commercial Air Conditioning
Many businesses use air conditioning or HVAC systems out of necessity. They can bring many benefits to your operations, finances, customers and employees, but there is an environmental cost. This is especially true for large, high-capacity commercial air conditioning systems.
We discuss how you can reduce your AC carbon footprint through more sustainable air conditioning solutions.
What is the environmental impact of air conditioning?
Air conditioning is a big contributor to global warming as AC systems use a significant amount of energy, generated through fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere.
If we don’t make sustainable changes, “emissions from refrigeration and air conditioning are expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, rising from 7% of global GHG emissions today” (Mark Radka, Chief of the Energy and Climate Branch of UNEP).
How can we reduce the impact?
Eco-friendly HVAC options that combat inefficiencies in older air conditioning systems are becoming increasingly popular. An outdated AC system is usually poor when it comes to efficiency, wasting a huge amount of energy over time. By upgrading to newer, more sustainable air conditioning technology, you can help minimise your environmental impact.
One example of this is heat pumps, which draw on natural sources such as the ground (geothermal heat pumps) and outside air (air source heat pumps) to transfer heat, providing both heating and cooling to a building. The upfront cost can be high, but this system will greatly reduce your AC carbon footprint.
Another eco-friendly HVAC system is (mechanical) heat recovery ventilation (HRV), which recovers and reuses heat to reduce energy consumption. Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems are also quite energy efficient as they offer varying levels of cooling depending on demand.
What can I do right now?
Installing a new commercial air conditioning system costs both time and money, so it is not always an immediate option. To help reduce any inefficiencies in your current system, you should conduct regular air conditioning maintenance with the help of a professional like Norton Air Conditioning.
By servicing your AC units or HVAC system, you can easily identify any issues that might be contributing to high energy usage and resolve them, leading to increased efficiency. This is a cost-effective solution to help minimise the environmental impact of your business. It also gives you the flexibility to upgrade to a more sustainable air conditioning system when it suits you.
If you are interested in reducing your AC carbon footprint, speak to the expert team at Norton Air Conditioning to find out how we can help.
