The Future of Air Conditioning & its Impact on the
Planet
The Future of Air Conditioning
Air conditioning places a significant burden on energy systems.
Energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions from air conditioners
are projected to accelerate to unprecedented levels in the coming
decades (the number of air conditioners worldwide is set to
increase from 900 million units at present to over 2.5 billion
units by 2050).Improving by 30% the average efficiency of air
conditioners in use globally by 2030 could reduce emissions by up
to 25 billion metric tons of CO2 over the lifetime of the equipment
and reduce peak electricity demand by as much as 340-790 gigawatts.
This is equal to erasing the annual emissions from 1,550 coal-fired
power plants.Air conditioners are no longer just a luxury for the
wealthy citizens of the world they are becoming a necessity.
Staying cool and comfortable is just about impossible unless you
own one of these devices. Health benefits, improved productivity
and reduced mortality are among the absolute and undeniable
benefits of modern cooling and air conditioning.There are a couple
of very promising technological solutions to the standard air
conditioner - DEVap and Solar Air Conditioners. Both of these
technologies show promise for reducing the cost to run your air
conditioner, though the initial cost to purchase one, may remain
the same.
The Environmental Impact of Air Conditioning
While the benefits of air conditioning for basic, everyday
living are welcomed during the hot and muggy seasons, the hazardous
environmental effects due to their use need to be considered as
well:
Air Conditioners are Everywhere
Whether you are walking down the street in a crowded city or
driving through a suburban neighborhood, heating and cooling
systems are everywhere. They have become cheaper for companies to
make, so households even in developing countries are beginning to
use this source of comfort. So many people have become accustomed
to their presence that they cannot see themselves living without
one, which is causing rising in temperatures and extremely humid
climates in many parts of the world.
Air-conditioner are causing global warming.
HFCs represent a small portion of total greenhouse gas
emissions, but they trap thousands of times as much heat in the
atmosphere as carbon dioxide.Some HFCs are released during the
manufacturing process, if your air-conditioner or refrigerator has
a leak, or when you throw a unit away, possibly causing some
molecules to escape, especially if its disposed of improperly
4.3-C Temperature Jump from Climate Change By 2100.
Air-conditioner technology has come a long way since Willis
Carrier invented the modern air-conditioner in 1902 using ice and
fans. In 1980, an individual room air-conditioning unitused 1,474
kWh per year and cost $178 to run, according to figures by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.Today, an EPA "Energy
Star"-certified room a/c uses only 597 kWh/year and costs $75 to
run.But while units use less energy, we're using more of them. In
fact, the amount of electricity burned per air-conditioned
household increased 38 percent since 1990.
ConclusionThe impact of air conditioning on the environment is
obviously a very serious issue. We must address it now to avoid
further damage. The rising and sometimes deadly temperatures make
living without a cooling system very difficult and uncomfortable,
and living without one is simply out of the question for many
people in certain areas of the world. Regulations regarding the
output of air conditioners must continue moving forward.
Researchers must also develop substitutes for coolants until they
are as environmentally friendly as possible.Heating and cooling
technicians will also need to stay up to date on the latest
regulations, as well as continue their education as new systems are
developed. Overall, innovation must continue before further damage
from air conditioners causes an irreversibly drastic impact on the
future of the planet.
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