Recently, our world has witnessed a concerning rise in temperatures, sparking worries about the intersection of global warming and the increasing demand for air conditioning.
In this article, we examine the effect of air conditioning on climate change and explore how measuring energy useage and adopting technical innovations can help keep us cool without damaging the planet.
“The warmer it gets, the more we use air conditioning. The more we use air conditioning, the warmer it gets. Is there any way out of this trap?” The Guardian
The effects of Air Conditioning on climate change
Air conditioning units have mostly stayed the same since their invention in 1931. Their power consumption exceeds that of most appliances, significantly damaging our power grid, particularly in the summer months.
As world temperatures rise, there is an increasing demand for air conditioning, but cooling significantly contributes to global warming. Much of the existing cooling equipment uses hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, which are potent greenhouse gases and use a lot of energy, making them a double burden on climate change.
So, while air conditioning helps to make the inside cooler, it also makes the outside warmer through increased emissions, heating up the planet.
“Growing demand for air conditioners is one of the most critical blind spots in today’s energy debate.” IEA.
Demand for air conditioning units surge
The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a substantial increase in the number of global air conditioning units, potentially reaching 5.6 billion (two-thirds of the world’s households having air conditioning) by 2050. This surge in cooling demand comes with environmental consequences, with predictions suggesting that space cooling could contribute up to 13% of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, producing 2 billion tonnes of CO2 a year.
Despite these challenges, the IEA offers hope, outlining strategies to enhance cooling efficiency, adopt eco-friendly refrigerants, and integrate renewable energy sources.
As temperatures soar and the anticipation of a surge in global air conditioning units looms, the IEA encourages us to investigate new innovative technology that will help us strike a delicate balance between comfort and environmental responsibility.
Measures to reduce your energy usage
An energy audit will help you understand your current energy usage. It will also identify any energy-saving opportunities such as optimising your buildings and checking your air conditioning controls for efficiency, reducing energy wastage.
Adopting new technologies like our innovative solution, Coolnomix, can also help. It has been specially designed to mitigate the environmental impact of air conditioning without compromising performance and can reduce your energy consumption by up to 40%.
Beyond energy savings, Coolnomix promises a swift return on investment, improved temperature stability, and enhanced air quality and stands as a testament to the possibility of seamlessly combining sustainability and comfort.
Get in touch for more information on Coolnomix
Useful Resources: UNFCCC HFCS, REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING: MINIMISING CLIMATE IMPACT, MAXIMISING SAFETY
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As the global focus on sustainability intensifies, businesses are actively seeking ways to reduce their environmental impact. Here are ten practical tips designed for offices, emphasising the adoption of sustainable practices and a greener workplace.
- Embrace Renewable Energy: Consider transitioning your office to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
- Optimise Energy Usage: Creating a sustainable workplace involves implementing systems for regulated and optimised energy consumption, ensuring efficiency, reducing waste, and lowering operational costs. As a leader in sustainable solutions, Emissis has successfully provided Voltage Optimisation (VO) to numerous offices, effectively reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.
- Prioritise Sustainable Procurement: Develop a sustainable procurement policy that prioritises energy-efficient office equipment. Integrate innovative solutions into your purchasing decisions, creating a unified strategy for energy conservation.
- Choose Responsible Paper Sourcing: Demonstrate commitment to sustainable sourcing by opting for deforestation-free paper. This establishes an environmentally conscious workplace.
- Set Reduction Targets with Data: Utilise data from energy management systems to measure your office’s energy consumption accurately. Establish ambitious reduction targets, focusing on minimising energy wastage.
- Reduce Single-Use Plastics: Reduce single-use plastics across your office. Minimise energy usage, fostering a holistic and sustainable approach.
- Showcase Environmental Commitment: Seek certifications to showcase your organisation’s dedication to sustainable practices. Highlight your commitment to environmental responsibility within your operations.
- Adopt a Life-Cycle Approach: Choose products built to last and adopt a life-cycle thinking approach when selecting office equipment—Maximise device longevity to contribute to a sustainable office environment.
- Embrace Digital Processes: Encourage a digital-first approach to reduce paper consumption—leverage technology to streamline digital processes, minimising environmental impact.
- Offset Carbon Footprint Responsibly: Offset unavoidable carbon emissions by investing in certified projects. Showcase a holistic commitment to sustainability.
In your journey towards a sustainable office, explore Emissis’s comprehensive solutions, including Voltage Optimisation and Coolnomix. These offerings are designed to enhance energy efficiency and contribute to a greener workspace. Emissis remains at the forefront of providing practical and effective solutions, leading the way toward a sustainable future for offices worldwide.
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Voltage Optimisation (VO) is a topic that has gained notoriety in recent years due to the energy crisis and increasing concern about climate change. However, despite its rising popularity, there are still misconceptions surrounding the technology and how it operates. In this article, we aim to dispel these misconceptions and promote innovative VO technology, which can provide numerous benefits for companies of all sizes.
A common misconception about Voltage Optimisation is that it is too expensive, and the initial investment is not worth it. While it is true that implementing VO technology may require some upfront costs, it offers long-term benefits that can help companies save money on their energy bills. At Emissis, our Voltage Optimisation solution has a proven track record of being a cost-effective investment, with a return on investment within a few years.
Another misconception is that Voltage Optimisation impacts the quality of electricity. However, at Emissis, our VO technology is specifically designed to maintain voltage levels within an acceptable range, without compromising the quality of electricity. Our technology undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets industry standards and regulations.
In addition, some people believe Voltage Optimisation is only suitable for larger companies. However, this is not true. Voltage Optimisation is beneficial for companies of all sizes, including small and medium-sized businesses. It helps reduce energy costs and increases energy efficiency, making it an effective tool for any type of company looking to save money on their electricity bills.
Lastly, an often misunderstanding around Voltage Optimisation is that it is complex and requires significant maintenance. However, at Emissis our VO solutions are designed to be user-friendly and minimal maintenance. Our team provides ongoing support to ensure that the technology remains effective and efficient.
In conclusion, Voltage Optimisation is an innovative solution that can provide numerous benefits for companies of all sizes. We hope to encourage the wider adoption of VO technology by dispelling the misconceptions surrounding it. At Emissis, we are committed to providing high-quality VO solutions and ongoing support to help our clients save money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.
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Voltage Optimisation (VO) operates as a precise and dynamic method deeply rooted in the principles of Ohm’s Law. At its core, VO is designed to strategically manage the voltage supplied to electrical equipment, ensuring it aligns precisely with the specific requirements of each device. This process is finely tuned to optimise energy usage while maintaining the efficiency of the connected equipment.
In the UK, where the average voltage supplied is around 242 volts, VO steps in to make necessary adjustments. It fine-tunes the voltage levels to adhere to European standards, ensuring stable and efficient energy consumption without unnecessary excess. By doing so, VO minimises energy wastage, resulting in a more sustainable and cost-effective energy infrastructure.
Benefits of Voltage Optimisation:
- Reduced Energy Consumption: VO minimises energy usage by matching voltage to equipment requirements, promoting efficient operation without unnecessary consumption.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: VO reduces carbon emissions tied to electricity generation, contributing to a greener approach to power consumption.
- Guaranteed Energy Savings: Implementing VO, translates into substantial financial savings on energy bills, making it an economically viable and sustainable solution.
- Extended Equipment Lifespan: VO reduces wear and tear from excess voltage, extending the lifespan of electrical equipment and cutting down on repair costs.
Understanding the technical operations of VO is crucial for businesses looking to enhance energy efficiency. Selecting a reliable VO supplier becomes imperative, and Emissis, with over two decades of technical expertise, specialises in providing tailored energy-saving solutions.
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The Restauarant Group benefits from the savings offered by Coolnomix
Across The restaurant group they recognise the impact their practice has on the environment. Becoming aligned with the Zero Carbon Forum’s commitment to be net zero by 2040, they shifted focus to reducing carbon emissions and energy usage.
Installing our Coolnomix units through locations across the country meant they can save over 185 kg of carbon emissions annually per unit. Helping to improve their ESG rating and save money on energy bills.
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Coolnomix technology is improving the energy efficiency of every AC & refrigeration unit across the NHS
Air conditioning & refrigeration emissions account for over 25% of a hospitals carbon emissions. We are proud that our innovative, globally patented, energy reduction technology is playing an important role, in tackling AC & Refrigeration emissions as part of the bigger global picture.
Upon implementing Coolnomix, the NHS achieved significant energy savings, amounting to over 1,100 kWh per unit annually. This not only resulted in a substantial reduction in carbon footprint but also left the team highly satisfied with their environmentally conscious investment.
National ambition
(Source: https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/national-ambition/)
“To deliver the world’s first net zero health service and respond to climate change, improving health now and for future generations.”
The NHS was founded to provide high-quality care for all, now, and for future generations. Understanding that climate change and human health are inextricably linked, in October 2020, it became the first in the world to commit to delivering a net zero national health system. This means improving healthcare while reducing harmful carbon emissions, and investing in efforts that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
With around 4% of the country’s carbon emissions, and over 7% of the economy, the NHS has an essential role to play in meeting the net zero targets set under the Climate Change Act (Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service).
Two clear and feasible targets are outlined in the Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service report:
The NHS Carbon Footprint: for the emissions we control directly, net zero by 2040
The NHS Carbon Footprint Plus: for the emissions we can influence, net zero by 2045.
Led by Dr Nick Watts, the NHS’s first Chief Sustainability Officer, the Greener NHS National Programme exists to drive this transformation while delivering against our broader environmental health priorities. Laid out in the NHS Long Term Plan, these extended sustainability commitments range from reducing single-use plastics and water consumption, through to improving air quality.
On 1 July 2022, the NHS in England became the first health system to embed net zero into legislation, through the Health and Care Act 2022. The Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service report is now issued as statutory guidance. Find out what this means for NHS England, trusts and integrated care boards.
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Coolnomix services Moto’s energy usage by providing huge savings
Moto, A brand mostly recognised by those who are travelling around the country sees over 120 million visitors across their UK sites each year. With an operation of this scale there are risks of using too much energy and having a poor carbon footprint.
The UK’s largest service station is shifting focus to improving their ESG rating, and becoming a net positive business by 2050. Emissis have assisted on the journey by installing 150 Coolnomix units that has reduced carbon emissions by 28,300 kg annually, with energy bills saving almost £50,000 per year.
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The University of Greenwich studies cutting down on energy costs
Greenwich University, an institution with ambitions of becoming Net Zero by 2030. They have a long history of driving sustainable practices and Emissis were able to help with that journey with our Coolnomix technology.
As a large University campus, there is high usage of air conditioning. Installing 125 units across the university site has generated huge savings on the cost of energy, but more importantly improved their carbon footprint through saving over 1,200 kilowatts per unit annually.
Greenwich University, after a successful pilot project, are installing 124 Coolnomix energy saving units across their air conditioning (AC) estate across 3 campus at Medway, Avery Hill & Bathway and at Greenwich. Coolnomix is a globally patented, innovative, retrofit, energy reduction device that reduces energy consumption and C02 emissions when installed on air conditioning and refrigeration equipment without affecting the performance or output of the AC units.
The units will reduce energy consumption by a forecast 23% saving the University over 315,000 kWh in electricity overspend. In addition, Coolnomix will save over 85 tonnes of C02 by reducing the emissions from each campus site.
On average, each Coolnomix unit will reduce energy consumption by around 3kWh every day!
The technology is designed to payback within a period of 12 – 18 months and with an expected lifespan of 10 + years it will continue to deliver financial and carbon savings for the University for many years to come.
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Greene King Brews A Sustainable Future With Coolnomix
Leading Pub chain, Greene King are commited to driving social and environmental change. As a pub company and brewer they require lots of refrigeration and this results in them emitting high levels of carbon.
Emissis have been successful in reducing Greene King’s energy consumption through installing 1,000 Coolnomix Units. An energy saving device that guarantee’s to reduce kilowatt usage.
Annually, Greene King have saved over 165,000 kg of carbon, 800,000 kWh of energy and £200,000 on energy bills.
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Givaudan putting their trust in Coolnomix allows huge annual savings
As a company with sustainability at its core that covers the food & drink and beauty markets, Givaudan have to ensure their facilities can manage their work. To help Givaudan get the most out of their refrigeration and move closer to a climate positive future they called upon Emissis to see how they could save with Coolnomix technology.
Implementing Coolnomix units meant they could save over 42,000 kWh and almost 10 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. With a swift Return on Investment it demonstrated the qualities Coolnomix can offer businesses.
