In the face of the climate crisis, buildings must become more sustainable. That is why many buildings today are implementing green initiatives. However, one challenging area is how to make a building more sustainable regarding cooling systems.
There are several considerations to cooling a building. How much energy does the cooling system use? Is it reliable? Will it impact the carbon footprint of the building? Answers to these questions must come from those seeking to implement a sustainable cooling system in their facility.
More than ever, buildings are becoming more conscious of how they operate and what measures they take to become more sustainable. Implementing sustainable cooling systems in a building is an excellent first step toward making it as eco-friendly as possible.
Tips for Implementing Sustainable Cooling Systems in a Building
Invest in high-quality, sustainable cooling systems. When buying a cooling system, it is essential to purchasing one designed with sustainability in mind. It means that it will be energy efficient and use minimal electricity while being reliable and long-lasting.
Invest in insulation – It will reduce the heat that escapes the building and enters from the outside. Cooling the building needs less energy in the summer months, and there will be less strain on the cooling systems.
Invest in smart energy management – In estimation, 15% of energy use in commercial buildings is for running computers and other electrical devices. Implementing a smart energy management system controls and reduces energy used by electrical appliances. Therefore, cooling the building will need less energy.
LED Lighting
LED lighting is a hugely efficient way of illuminating a building. It uses 74% less energy than fluorescent lights and 90% less than incandescent lamps. It means reducing the energy the building’s cooling systems use to power the lights.
To put this into perspective, when using 1000 W of power to light your building, installing LED lighting will reduce this to only 270 W.
Another interesting thing worth mentioning is that LED lighting has a much longer lifespan than the other types of lighting, meaning its use will need replacing far less frequently. It will save on maintenance costs, too. Overall, investing in high-quality LED lighting is a great way to reduce the energy used by the building’s cooling systems.
Optimized HVAC System
HVAC systems are responsible for a large portion of the energy used by a building. Optimizing the system is an excellent way to reduce energy consumption and, in turn, improve sustainability.
One way to optimize an HVAC system is to reduce airflow through the building. The building will need less energy to cool. However, it is essential to remember that the people inside the building will need a certain level of airflow. Too little, and they will be too hot. Too much, and they will be too cold.
Another way to optimize an HVAC system is to install an efficient cooling system. It might include installing a cooling tower or upgrading to a more efficient cooling system.
Water Cooling
These systems are a great way to reduce energy use. The system uses cold water from the building’s water source to cool the air. The water is then pumped back through the system to enable reheating before pumping out again.
It means there is no need for an external water source or a cooling tower, reducing the energy needed to power the system. If a building has a water cooling system, it requires less energy to power the cooling systems, meaning there is less strain on the building’s electricity supply. Water cooling systems are a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of a building and make it more sustainable.
Green Roof
A green roof is a type of roof planted with vegetation and soil. The roof’s design creates an eco-friendly and sustainable space where plants can grow and flourish.
One of the most significant benefits of having a green roof is that it helps to reduce the amount of water lost through the roof. Less water must get replaced, reducing the energy needed to cool the building. A building must have the correct structural foundations to create a green roof. It means that green roofs are usually only implemented on new buildings.
Having a green roof on your building is an excellent way to make it more sustainable, as it can reduce the amount of water lost through the roof, reduce the amount of energy needed to cool the building, and help filter out pollutants in the air.
Conclusion
There are many considerations when implementing sustainable systems in a building. From insulation to cooling systems, there is no one solution. Instead, it requires a combination of solutions that work together to create a sustainable cooling system. When implemented correctly, these solutions will reduce the energy needed to cool the building, making it more bearable.
