AIR CONDITIONING
The passive approach
As we combat global warming, efficient cooling for buildings must also be at the top of the agenda says Mark Grayston, product strategy and delivery manager, Mitsubishi Electric.
T
he winter months might seem an unusual time to discuss the role of cooling. Still, as the record- breaking temperatures experienced last summer could become the norm in years to come, it’s important to explore how best to keep the population safe and comfortable in a heat wave ahead of time. Unfortunately, climate change is making heat waves
more frequent, hotter and longer – and this has a particular impact on urban areas. With 55% of the world living in cities – a number which continues to grow – this extreme heat is likely to increase heat-related deaths significantly in the years leading up to 2050. So while we experience the relatively cold
temperatures of winter, finding ways to mitigate both rising temperatures and the urban heat in our cities is a problem that needs to be tackled now.
Homes could benefit from simultaneous heating and cooling When it comes to residential cooling, only approximately 3% to 5% of UK homes currently have air conditioning units installed. However, the UK Energy Research Centre predicts a potential increase to 32% of homes with air conditioning installed by 2050, and some estimates put this figure even higher. The challenge with this growth is the increased energy use that will come as a result. While the UK is trying to decarbonise heating and use more efficient technologies like heat pumps, there could be a surge in electricity use in the summer months to counter this good work. Although it isn’t possible to stop homeowners from installing air conditioning technology to keep cool, there are alternative approaches to consider. Many homeowners conflate ‘air conditioning’ with cooling, but air conditioning units can also supply heating. So, a system that offers both heating and cooling could be a way to reduce the number of gas boilers needed. It also creates a single delivery source, which reduces embodied carbon, and air conditioning is often the most efficient way to deliver heat into a space. At the same time as offering more environmentally
22 February 2023 •
www.acr-news.com
friendly cooling in the summer, this would also help the UK to boost its heat pump uptake and move away from gas and oil heating for the long term.
A passive approach will support sustainability It is always the case that the most efficient unit of energy is the one that we don’t use. The UK is getting hotter, but turning to air conditioning systems should not be the only solution. Building design also has a role to play, and if done correctly, homes that are built now will be resilient in the future. Architects around the world are now designing homes and buildings with passive solutions to mitigate increasing temperatures and more frequent heat waves. New materials, advanced heat modelling techniques, and historically proven principles are all showing that even when temperatures hit unexpected highs, homes and buildings in the UK will be able to stay cool with natural airflow whilst remaining sustainable. For example, buildings can have a more manageable
temperature by using lighter building materials to insulate, such as wood and avoiding heavy stone and masonry. External blinds also keep out around 90% of heat from a home, and external shading can be as simple as parasols, awnings, trellis, trees, shutters, or external blinds.
Simple design techniques such as setting windows deeper into the reveals or having larger overhangs on the roof are other straightforward and relatively cheap tweaks that architects can employ to keep homes cooler. White external walls will also reflect the sun’s heat while green living walls will provide shade, high ceilings, concrete floors and stone walls all help mitigate unwanted temperature rise.
Boosting cooling efficiency in commercial spaces As well as the UK’s housing stock, commercial spaces, such as offices, gyms, university buildings, hotels or restaurants, all need to stay cool and keep building occupants safe.
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