ESG metric: Scope 1 emissions
Ease of implementation: medium
Payback period: 0-7 years
Suitable for: Office, manufacturing and commercial building-based companies
Suggested functional lead: facility manager
Summary
Upgrading your air conditioning system can be a high cost up front but will save costs in the long run. The increase in system efficiency reduces the energy used and reduces the associated emissions produced in the offices and manufacturing facilities. It is crucial to assess the various upgrades available to make the best and most informed decision for your facility. Following the upgrade, ensure regular maintenance and assessment take place to maintain the decrease in emissions.
Background Information
Air conditioning and other HVAC systems can increase energy consumption up to 30% if not regularly maintained, thus, increasing emissions. According to the World Economic Forum, by the end of the century, air conditioning systems will account for 0.5 degree Celsius of global temperature rise due to their GHG emissions. It is crucial to note that air conditioning systems use hydrofluorocarbons as refrigerants, which are 1,000-3,000 times more potent than CO2, despite the global efforts to phase out this chemical. These refrigerants can leak out of the air conditioning systems and into the atmosphere, emphasising the need for air conditioning upgrades to reduce refrigerant consumption and leakage emissions.
Five signs your air conditioning is leaking:
Cools less than it normally would
Not blowing at the cool temperature as expected
Hissing sounds
Frozen coils
Unexplainably high electricity bills
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Implementation Steps
Get permission from office or building manager
If you do not own your building, request permission from the facility manager to follow protocol and book an air conditioning upgrade. This will be an upgrade for the whole building and can reduce emissions for all businesses in the facility.
Get your current air conditioning system assessed
Book an accredited air conditioning energy assessor to assess the current system and provide suggestions on upgrades and cost estimates. For more detailed information on how to do this please see Regular Air Conditioning Assessment initiative. Additional to the assessment, the professional should outline the timeline and costs for the necessary upgrade.
Research and gather information on upgrades
The professional will provide upgrade options and Load Calculation Details for the facility. This outlines how much energy is required to run your current air conditioning systems. Save this information to assess the energy saved when the upgrade is installed. Whilst the professional will provide upgrade options, it might be useful to conduct your own research into air condition systems.
Set financial approval and budgetary restraints
With the compiled list of air conditioning upgrades and work required, you can identify any budgetary restraints or areas where extra funds are required. Multiple countries have governmental grants for HVAC upgrades. Collaborate with the finance department to determine the allowed budget and grant applications.
Schedule the upgrade
After budgetary approval has been granted, the upgrade can be scheduled. If the facility is occupied daily, such as an office building, work is advised to be scheduled outside of working hours to minimise disruption. Some system upgrades require a longer time to install, which for offices might mean staff are required to work from home until the installation in complete.
Assign responsibility for maintenance
Assign a member of staff to maintain the air conditioning systems in the offices and other buildings. Issues may include clogged filters which restrict airflow and, in turn, forces the air conditioner to work harder to meet the required temperature. If unsure, book in an inspection to assess the new system.
Schedule annual assessment
It is advised that an accredited air conditioning energy assessor performs an assessment annually to check for leaks and ensure maximum efficiency.