 | Introduction |
Even though air conditioning can use lots of energy, lots of organisations choose to use it – not least because of the extra heat generated by increasing use of IT equipment.
Luckily, there are some simple, low-cost ways to save energy and make your air conditioning system more efficient.
The air conditioning technology guide looks at minimising or avoiding the use of air conditioning and offers advice on reviewing the best choice of air conditioning systems highlighting opportunities for energy savings.
Air conditioning technology guide
Our top three recommended carbon saving air conditioning projects:
Temperature control
Make sure your air conditioning doesn't operate below 24°C.
Also, make sure that you don't have the heating and cooling systems competing with each other – it's a waste of money. The best way to do this is to keep a temperature gap (known as a 'deadband') between your heating and air conditioning control temperatures.
Order the Carbon Trust Thermometer to help measure temperature in your workplace.
Variable speed drives (VSDs)
Don't produce more cooling than you need – this wastes money and energy. Variable speed drives can vary the output of your air conditioning system to meet your needs throughout the day. This will help you save money on energy costs.
How to implement inverter variable speed drives
Free cooling coils
Free cooling coils use the outside air as a source of cooling for air conditioning systems (when it's cool enough). This saves money because you won't need to use as much energy to produce cooling for the air conditioning system.
With the UK's temperate climate, free cooling coils can produce big savings.