
During the hot summers, almost everyone turns to the cold comfort provided by air conditioning.
But what many people don’t realize – or chose to overlook – is the environmental harm air conditioning brings with it.
According to The Guardian, “vehicle air conditioners in the United States alone use 7 to 10 billion gallons of gasoline annually” and due to “demand in warmer regions, it is possible that world consumption of energy for cooling could explode tenfold by 2050, giving climate change an unwelcome dose of extra momentum.”
Table of Contents
Environmental Consequences
So what does this mean for the environment?
Most air conditioners in homes (and businesses) are run from fossil fuels like coal. Not only do the fossil fuels release carbon emissions, but energy is also lost in generating and transmitting electric power.
Needless to say, it takes more energy to cool down a house than to heat up a home.
Stan Cox, author of Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air-Conditioned World, told The Independent:
“Air conditioning’s environmental damage is not limited to emissions of greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting chemicals. Lavish deployment of indoor climate control may indeed make it possible for us to live anywhere on the planet, but is that wise?”
That’s not to say that we should all be sweating in discomfort all summer long, but we definitely need to be more fiscal with air conditioning.
If air conditioning practices don’t change, our planet may be in big trouble.
According to Guus Velders of the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment and his colleagues, refrigerants (fluids essential in air conditioners that absorb and release heat efficiently at the right temperatures) that accumulate in the atmosphere between now to 2050 will add another 14 to 27 percent to the increased warming caused by all human-generated carbon dioxide emissions.
Eco-Friendly Air Conditioning Tips
Eco-friendly air conditioning is becoming more widespread as air conditioner manufacturers phase out ozone-depleting refrigerants in their products in order to meet new government regulations.
A number of technological innovations are also making AC units greener.
Consumers should be researching for the most energy efficient and the up-and-coming models that may be a worthy investment.
For instance, Mitsubishi Electric Corp’s “ZW series” of household air conditioners are programmed to automatically switch to a low-power consumption mode when nobody is in the room.
Whether by purchasing units with energy-saving technologies or by improving a home’s energy efficiency, here are seven ways to make air conditioners more environmentally-friendly.
1. Size Matters
An under-sized air conditioner not only won’t keep the home cool but will keep trying, wasting electricity and running up the household’s energy bills.
A too-small unit won’t be able to balance the air cooled in the unit’s condenser with the humid, expended air that the evaporator draws out from the home.
2. Two-Stage Compressors
It’s the compressors of an air conditioning unit that typically uses the most electricity.
Compressors have to work hard to squeeze out the heated vapors so that the refrigerant returns to its cooled state. Two-stage compressors automatically compress less on cool days and more when it’s hot, saving energy.
3. Customized Matched Systems
Some eco-friendly air conditioners achieve optimum energy efficiency by using one source of energy for cooling and another for heating.
Customizing each component of the system, from the thermostat to the indoors coils, creates systems based on a home’s individual heating and cooling needs.
4. Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps use the earth as a heat sink, capitalizing on the natural flow of heat from a warm area to a cool one. They can be up to 40 percent more efficient at cooling a home than conventional air conditioners.
While pricey to install, geothermal heat pumps recoup their upfront costs through savings on monthly energy bills.
5. Programmable Thermostats
Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the most affordable ways to green up an air conditioning system.
Homeowners can program the thermostat to remain off when no one is at home and to automatically turn on and cool the home for the household’s return.
6. Regular Maintenance
HVAC professionals should inspect and service air conditioning units at least once each year. Maintenance includes testing refrigerant pressure, accessing the unit’s air flow and checking for leaks.
HVAC specialist may also recommend modifications to increase the system’s energy efficiency.
7. Replacing Air Conditioners
Over 89 million heating and cooling systems in the United States were installed more than ten years ago. These systems operate well below the environmental and energy efficiency standards that are in place today.
Sometimes the best option is to replace existing units with green air conditioners.
Other Alternatives
Other ways to cool your home include opening your windows and turning fans on to create air flow, taking a shower or getting wet to cool off your body and consider optimizing your basement (which tends to be cooler).
Related infographic: Air Conditioning Facts & History

[…] 7 Characteristics of Eco-Friendly Air Conditioning Units By admin, May 15, 2012 2:02 pm (function() { var s = document.createElement("script"), s1 = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.type = "text/javascript"; s.async = true; s.src = "http://www.tipy.com/button.js"; s1.parentNode.insertBefore(s, s1); })(); Tweet 7 Characteristics of Eco-Friendly Air Conditioning Units A too-small unit won't be able to balance the air cooled in the unit's condenser with the humid, expended air that the evaporator draws out from the home. It's the compressors of an air conditioning unit that typically uses the most electricity. Read more on Greener Ideal […]
[…] uptake of air-conditioners continues to grow, with 144,300,000 units expected to be sold between 2011 and 2017 (ACR News). Air […]
[…] is the roof. According this infographic, a lighter coloured roof can reduce a building’s air conditioning needs by […]
[…] home comfort system, which typically consists of an air conditioner and furnace, can consume as much as half of your home’s overall energy. Both systems use and […]
[…] humans retreat to our air-conditioned malls, movie theaters and homes, many pets and wildlife are stuck outside dealing with the most […]
[…] a good option. They are very energy efficient and can reduce the need for lower temperatures on air conditioning units, or be used in place of one. When you use one, just be sure you feel the air by turning it on the […]
[…] But what many people don’t realize–or chose to overlook–is the environmental harm air conditioning brings with it. According to The Guardian, “vehicle air conditioners in the United States […]
Something has to be added here:
New ACs running on natural refrigerants instead of mega climate change gases usually found in ACs: fluorinated gases.
See the video here: http://www.savevid.com/video/india-eco-friendly-cooling-global-ideas-dw.html
[…] thermostats and two-stage compressors also reduce energy consumption. Air compressors consume the bulk of the energy used by an air […]
[…] be nearly so bad. If you are looking to save energy on your air conditioning, there are a number of eco-friendly solutions that will help minimize your gas or electric […]
[…] thermostats and two-stage compressors also reduce energy consumption. Air compressors consume the bulk of the energy used by an air […]
With the prospect of a steamy summer quickly approaching, all many of us can think about is retreating into our air-conditioned homes and offices and it’s the heaviest burdens on the power grid. So it’s really important to select the perfect machine for your home. This article describes why we should choose the eco-friendly air conditioners. I am sure who is thinking of buying AC, this article can be a real help to those.
[…] 7 Characteristics of Eco-Friendly Air Conditioning Units – A too-small unit won’t be able to balance the air cooled in the unit’s condenser with the humid, expended air that the evaporator draws out from the home. It’s the compressors of an air conditioning … Some eco-friendly air conditioners achieve … […]
[…] drawback to using the air conditioning unit a lot is that it will lead to expensive utility bills that often eat a large part of the home […]
[…] to a device called the geothermal unit. As the heart of the system, the geothermal unit can either act as an air conditioner or a furnace by heating or cooling air. Air will then be circulated through the ducts to make the […]
[…] to a device called the geothermal unit. As the heart of the system, the geothermal unit can either act as an air conditioner or a furnace by heating or cooling air. Air will then be circulated through the ducts to make the […]
[…] But what many people don’t realize–or chose to overlook–is the environmental harm air conditioning brings with it. According to The Guardian, “vehicle air conditioners in the United States […]
[…] costs generated by AC at your home. And by optimalising performance and energy use, they are also eco-friendly […]
[…] Source link […]
[…] This is is a syndicated post. Read the original at greenerideal.com […]
[…] is a learning, eco-friendly thermostat which ‘remembers’ data settings, adjusts itself with the seasons and is easily […]
[…] is a learning, eco-friendly thermostat which ‘remembers’ data settings, adjusts itself with the seasons and is easily accessible via […]
[…] Source: Greener Ideal […]
[…] HVAC systems, it’s important to take a green-friendly approach. Things like investing in a programmable thermostat and a cleaner filtration system can offer tremendous eco-friendly […]
[…] costs generated by AC at your home. And by optimizing performance and energy use, they are also eco-friendly […]
[…] Read here for more information on eco-friendly air conditioning systems. […]
[…] Aircons are made with the intention of running off of solar energy. Click here to find out what great benefits and characteristics eco-friendly Air conditioning systems […]
[…] conditionals, which significantly enhances performance. Also, the best way to try and live a more eco-friendly life is to try to limit your dependence on your HVAC system every […]
Thank you very much for characteristics of eco-friendly air conditioning units, it’s difficult for me to get such kind of information most of the time always… I really hope I can work on your tips and it works for me too, I am happy to come across your article.Great to find Comfortgroup.co.nz which has same kind of wonderful tips, if possible then visit.
[…] energy consumption by customizing your residential air conditioning system. Look for systems with certain green features, including two-stage compressors and geothermal heat pumps. Programmable thermostats are also key, […]
With global warming becoming more and more of a concern we need eco-friendly air conditioning and heating.
The required and Best Soccer Betting Agent, One of typically the best soccer gambling sites operating in the
Asian region, including Indonesia, will be Sbobet.
Known as the particular site that won 2 awards because the best user, Sbobet
have been serving its customers since 2004 and proceeds to survive because the earliest and most significant gambling online web site in Asia.
We all need to work together to save energy this summer. Its a great start to get a more efficient air conditioner for your home office.
Gelin, ziyaret edin yemekleri birlikte hazırlayalım, birlikte yiyelim.
Every little change for better is still important. proper use of the thermostat are essential.
ücretsiz kargo
Very informative! A dirty air conditioner filter can also make it work harder, consuming more energy. Additionally, it can cause poor indoor air quality. Therefore, it’s very important to clean or replace filters at least once every three months.