During the hot summers, almost everyone turns to the cold comfort provided by air conditioning. However, what many people do not realize–or chose to overlook– is the environmental harm air conditioning brings with it.
As an environmentalist, I decided to purchase a My Tengah BTO unit over a year ago, and I was so happy to learn that the cooling system in the building is an eco-smart one.
I understand that most air conditioners in homes (and businesses) are run from fossil fuels like coal. Not only do 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 a home.
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 is not to say that we should all be sweating in discomfort all summer long, but we need to be more fiscal with air conditioning.
If air conditioning practices do not change, our planet may be in big trouble. Luckily for us, smart towns such as My Tengah (SP Home) are already making its presence felt in Singapore. People can start taking smarter measures to save the environment and at the same time have a better living condition.
Eco-friendly air conditioning is becoming more widespread as air conditioner manufacturers phase out ozone-depleting refrigerants in their products to meet new government regulations.
Whether by purchasing units with energy-saving technologies or by improving a home’s energy efficiency, here are seven ways an eco-smart town makes air conditioners more environmentally-friendly.
Size matters
An undersized air conditioner not only would not keep the home cool but will keep trying, wasting electricity and running up the household’s energy bills. A too-small unit would not 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.
Two-Stage compressors
It is the compressors of an air conditioning unit that typically uses the most electricity. Compressors have to work hard to squeeze out the heated vapours so that the refrigerant returns to its cooled state. Two-stage compressors automatically compress less on cool days and more when it is hot, saving energy.
Customised 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 heating and cooling needs.
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 per cent 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.
Programmable thermostats
My Tengah also has a programmable thermostat installed and is one of the most affordable ways to green up an air conditioning system. Here, we 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.
Regular maintenance
The administration body here in My Tengah has HVAC professionals inspect and service its centralised cooling system for our home at least once each year. Maintenance includes testing refrigerant pressure, accessing the unit’s airflow and checking for leaks. HVAC specialists may also recommend modifications to increase the system’s energy efficiency.
Replacing air conditioners
These airconditioning 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
I have other ways to cool my home, including opening my windows and turning fans on to create airflow. I also take a shower regularly to cool off my body. This way I can lessen the carbon footprint caused by harmful energy consumption.
When the time comes to consider a new cooling system for your home, you will want to put some serious thought into an eco-friendly system. Since an eco-friendly system saves you money on your energy bills, it can pay for itself over time.
An eco-friendly system will also cool your home and keep your family comfortable without the tremendous noise that usually accompanies an air conditioning system.
For more information about My Tengah plantation HBD and their units, visit their website and start living differently today.
