Carbon footprint is one of the most alarming global concerns in the environment today. It is the greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities including the use of HVAC systems. This Earth Day, let us introduce to you the green HVAC technology and why the Philippines should shift to more sustainable HVAC systems.
Promoting green HVAC in the Philippines will take a lot of work, but let’s start with spreading awareness and providing you with the information you need to know about green HVAC technologies. Read further to learn more.
What is Green HVAC?
These are basically the HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems that use less energy than the standard HVAC systems. They commonly reduce power consumption by up to 30% to 50%. The less energy you consume, the better for the environment as it emits less carbon footprint while helping you to save costs.
To achieve this, Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) shall be promoted and adapted locally to boost HVAC efficiency by reducing ventilation energy use. This can be done by reusing otherwise wasted total energy (heat and humidity) from the exhaust airstream to pre-condition filtered fresh air coming inside.
This process may result in enhanced Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), decreased energy consumption, downsized machines and equipment, plus ventilation loads cut by up to more or less 70%. ASHRAE recognizes both the ERVs and DOAS as they play a vital role in enhancing the human conditions and also in protecting the environment. The systems are being required in several standards that we follow most rigorously in 189.1.
Image source: Cooling India
Using ERVs and DOAS creates cleaner and healthier IAQ while optimizing efficiency, these also lead to green-building standards and certifications. To name a few, they are required by LEED, Green Globes, Net Zero, and many more.
The new concept of handling two separate HVAC systems: Outdoor Air (OA) and Return Air (RA) describes the application of DOAS for delivering dehumidified air to buildings to improve Indoor Air Quality and cooling comfort. In some research, DOAS has improved many potential advantages to building owners’ and occupants’ health compared to having conventional HVAC systems.
Common Types of Green HVAC Equipment
When thinking of switching to green HVAC, there are many equipment options you can choose from. Here’s a list of green HVAC equipment to guide you with your selection journey:
1. Dual-Fuel Heat Pumps
This unit combines a gas furnace and an electric heat pump, making it more energy-efficient.
2. Geothermal Heat Pumps
It draws heat from the ground and then saves it in a circled funneling system. At the point when the temperature outdoor decreases, heat in the lines is delivered and carried inside to warm the space.
3. Ice-Powered Air Conditioning Units
If you’re looking for an innovative option, an ac unit powered by ice is best for you. It freezes about 450 gallons of water at night and then switches into a cooling mode in the morning. It lasts for up to 6 hours and once fully melted, the unit will automatically turn off and the regular AC will once again switch on.
4. Hydronic Systems
Utilize coursing water to heat or cool your home, Hydronic frameworks can use in-floor piping, radiators, baseboards, or in any event, material to make agreeable temperatures in your home by moving heat through conduction, convection, or radiation.
5. Wind Power Systems
Wind power frameworks utilize little wind turbine-created water heaters which, in contrast to standard water heaters that operate via power or fuel, can be put on the rooftop or different areas on your property that are exposed to wind.
6. Quiet Duct Wrap
Made from recycled denim, this unit reduces air loss and heat gain in your ductwork. It works like this to protect your house from too much moisture, air currents, and radiant heating.
7. Solar Energy Systems
Solar panels help reduce the consumption of energy and provide significant cost savings in the long run as it helps your existing HVAC system not work too hard.
Why Switch to a Green HVAC System?
Based on the US Department of Energy, HVAC systems are responsible for 56% of energy consumption at home. For commercial buildings, the estimate is as much as 73% of total energy use. This is why green HVAC technology can create a positive impact not only on the environment but on your budget as well. It can help reduce greenhouse gases and carbon footprint while increasing energy efficiency and cost savings.
Here are some great reasons you should switch to green HVAC technologies:
1. Get local support for going green
Many government officials and sectors have stepped up to truly promote initiatives for the environment. It is a significant move towards switching to green HVAC technology.
2. Green improvement for traditional HVAC Equipment
You’ve got some options for green HVAC technology. You can select any that best fits your needs to improve the energy efficiency of your existing HVAC system.
- Smart Thermostat – Allows you to control your HVAC system anytime and anywhere you are through a smart app that can be installed on your gadgets such as phones, tablets, or laptops.
- Zoned HVAC Systems – It enables you to divide your space into multiple zones and separately control the heating and cooling. This option works best with ducted split HVAC systems, VRF systems, and ductless mini-splits.
- HVAC Economizer – This helps let the outdoor air enter the indoor space to provide “free cooling”. It helps reduce the amount of mechanical cooling by up to 75% by reducing the time that your unit has to operate.
3. Custom cooling and heating in multiple zones
This green HVAC technology utilizes multiple small air handlers, which can be controlled individually. It can detect the requirements of each zone and can control the amount of cool air flowing.
4. Readily available solar power
Solar panels convert the sunlight into electricity, which you can use for heating, cooling, or lighting. While it is quite costly to install a solar energy system, you can get significant cost savings in the long run. It absorbs the sun’s energy for later use.
Go Green!
We at Buoyant follow the building standards of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), an American professional association that seeks to advance the design and construction of these types of equipment. We align particularly with their standard 189.1. It states that the usage of the DOAS (dedicated outdoor air system) equipment’s unique ability is required as it promotes the reduction of energy use coupled with the enhancement of Indoor Air Quality.
This must be also implemented and adapted to the Philippine Setting as the benefit of adhering to this high-performance green building clearly promotes the well-being of our planet, people, and communities.
Just imagine, if all the buildings in the Philippines will be enhanced with Indoor Air Quality management, it will surely improve indoor occupant’s health, cognitive function, and productivity. Apart from these, it will also greatly reduce the amount of energy consumed in buildings as the ventilations back sustainability efforts to protect the environment. To top it all off, downsizing equipment and optimizing energy efficiency reduces HVAC loads that can cut ventilation energy costs by up to 65%. It allows you to save costs for other more business-impacting activities.
To learn more about green HVAC technology and how you can get better indoor air quality at a more affordable cost, get in touch with us.
