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For that reason, there are hot and humid weathers throughout the year. Having air-
conditioning is extremely crucial as it helps to reduce hot temperature and high humidity,
giving us a cooler, more comfortable environment to live in. The serving function of
improving our overall indoor air quality naturally encourages people to install the system.
This is why nowadays, it is such a norm to see air-conditioning being installed whether at
residential properties, workplaces, shopping malls, and even in public transport systems.
However, with that being said, air-conditioning also has some obvious side effects towards
our environment and health. Most air-conditioning systems use Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
refrigerants to operate which leads to ozone layer depletion. The prime purpose of having
ozone layers is to protect us from the Suns ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Without it, there is
nothing to shield us from UV radiation, increasing the chances of eye cataract and skin
cancer which may threaten our lives. As an initiative, the government is doing their part to
What is the term Green Technology? Green Technology refers to using technology
or inventions which make products and processes more environmentally friendly and
effectively reducing the negative cause of human activities. Over the years, people have
been more depended on air-conditioning without considering the impacts that may occur
from it. As global warming and its consequences have become more visible, people are
getting more aware of the environment and would do what it takes to solve the problem. To
make a difference, the Malaysian government has initiated and implemented a new policy,
that is, National Green Technology Policy to promote and develop green production. This
policy encourages four major pillars such as Energy, Environment, Economy and Social. Any
products or systems used should be energy efficient in its utilization and enhance national
economic development through use of Green Technology. Likewise, it should also conserve
and minimize impact on the environment while improving the quality of life for all people.
These four pillars are essential and can be a stepping stone towards a more sustainable
and less harmful to the environment? What are the ways they that can promote Green
environment, specialists are able to create air-conditioning systems which are suitable and
less harmful to the environment. One of them includes the chilled water system. Chilled
water system enhances green technology by substituting refrigerant which may be harmful
to the environment such as Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) with water in the coil. Knowingly, a
chiller is just a part of the system where its purpose to remove heat from the building so that
the indoors will have colder and less humid surroundings. However, how does the system
remove heat? As the name of the system suggests, it is obvious that chilled water system
involve the use of water. Water is a very good choice as it is cheap, non-corrosive, has
specific heat value, and non-toxic. Initially, a building would contain a lot of heat which is
absorbed by chilled water. After that, the water returns to the chiller and removes its heat by
the refrigerant process where water is chilled and cooled using a chilled barrel evaporator.
Into more detail, the process starts when cold water straight from the chiller is pumped
through chilled water piping, thereby passing through a coil where it will be exposed to air
from the building. The coil will absorb heat in the air. Now, due to thermal equilibrium, the
water will contain the same temperature as the coil. The heated water is then pumped back
into the chiller to remove the heat and leave the chilled water evaporator at a fairly low
temperature which is approximately 7 degree Celsius. Having chilled water indicates that our
process is completed so the entire process is then repeated. Normally, a cooling tower
would be used to remove heat from the condenser. Besides being eco-friendly, chilled water
systems are also cost effective, encouraging large commercial building and industrial areas
Besides that, solar air-conditioning system can also enhance Green Technology.
Solar air-conditioning systems are systems of cooling and heating which use solar power
instead of electricity. In Malaysia, there are mostly hot weathers throughout the year.
Situated near the equator of the earth, our country does not have seasons such as summer,
spring, autumn and winter. Since we do not have winter, heating systems are not required in
our country. However, since we have mostly hot weathers just like summer, it is very suitable
for us to use solar air-conditioning for cooling purpose. The Sun being present all year round
enables us to have unlimited supply of solar energy which uses the Sun as its prime energy
source. This makes solar air-conditioning systems more reliable than other systems. Other
than being environmentally friendly, it is also renewable, energy efficient, can be cheaper
and a good investment over a longer term. Solar air-conditioning uses the Suns energy to
heat water. After that, captured heat is then used to power thermally activated cooling
systems to provide air-conditioning. How does one works? A conventional solar air
conditioning cools the building by using standard vapour compression refrigeration cycle.
The heat inside the building was transferred to the refrigerant gas, which is then distributed
to the condenser where excess heat is removed. Then, the cold refrigerant is circulated back
into the building to repeat the cycle. A conventional solar air conditioning systems draw
power from the solar operation instead of electricity mains. For example, solar thermal air-
conditioning are commonly used in residential applications. Solar absorption system is one
of the solar thermal air conditioning systems. Solar absorption system uses heat energy to
evaporate the liquid refrigerant to cool the air. The water is heated by solar energy is used to
initiate a dynamic process which involved heating at low-pressure chamber under water is
cooled to 7 degrees Celcius. After that, cold water is taken to a series of copper pipes where
cold air is blown through the pipes and into the house.
environment is the inverter system. There are two types of split system air conditioners we
can install which are the inverter and non-inverter air conditioners, both of which share
similar functions. Nevertheless, a distinct difference is showcased between both types of air
conditioners where the difference depends on the type compressor running the system.
compress refrigerant into liquid and is shut off to let the liquid refrigerant expand effectively.
The refrigerant starts to cool down during this moment of expansion which leads to the
efficient cooling effect. There are many benefits of using an inverter system. Basically, an
inverter is able to control the speed of the compressor motor and regulate the temperature
continuously. As we all know, an inverter system has a more variable speed when
comparing with a non-inverter system which has a fixed speed. An inverter system with
variable speed compressor is more sophisticated because they can enhance control at the
compressor by prohibiting the compressor from running at its maximum all the time. How
does it work? Firstly, the inverter is switched on. The compressor functions at a fairly high
speed for the room to cool quickly. When the room temperature has risen to a set
temperature such as 20 degrees Celcius, the compressor will start to slow down and
maintain at this temperature. If the inverter senses any fluctuations in room temperature, it
will be adjusted back to the set temperature. Moreover, it is also energy efficient. Since the
compressor can control and adjust the temperature of the building effectively, the cooling
process is made smooth, easy and automatic, dropping energy consumption by 30% as
system would switch on and off automatically when they reach their temperature limit, using
less power while a non-inverter system would maintain and adjust its temperature constantly,
As a conclusion, I find that air conditioning systems with green technology features
are very important for our people and our environment. Without it, our world might be at
stake of being consumed by the bad side effects of air conditioning refrigerants, leading to
pollutions and natural disaster such as global warming. As the Malay proverb goes, prepare
an umbrella before it rains. This means that people should be more aware and cautious of
how air conditioning affects our environment and finding a solution to make it better before it
is too late. They should not be sitting under a rock, blinded by the fact that air conditioners
only provide comfort and not taking considerations of other factors. This is why we have to
thank our government who has implemented the policy of National Green Technology that
technology
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