Several companies that develop air conditioning devices are now pushing the boundary of innovation. The ultimate aim of new developments is to make ACs more efficient and environmental friendly. The realisation is that most homes use old cooling units that use energy-intensive compressors, which translates to high utility bills. Furthermore, most air conditioning systems have refrigerants that are harmful to the environment because the emissions contribute to global warming. This article shows why homeowners should brace up for the new water-based air conditioning system.
Energy Consumption -- One major challenge that has plagued traditional HVAC systems is that they consume a lot of energy, either gas or electricity, to cool exterior and interior spaces. The power is used to remove cool dehumidified air and moisture from homes to achieve the desired cooling effect. As such, consumers end up shelling large sums of money to pay utility bills. A water-based system, when assessed cumulatively, could save homeowners a lot of money since the system does not require energy-intensive compressors or hazardous refrigerants like conventional refrigerant-based ACs.
Membrane Technology -- HVAC systems have compressors that release hot indoor air. With water-based air-conditioning, the system for cooling dehumidified air is separate from that which eliminates moisture from spaces. The reasoning behind isolating the systems is to achieve better control of each system while enhancing the performance of the AC. The water-based system works by first eliminating moisture from the air, then cooling the dehumidified air with water.
Eco-friendly -- Conventional HVAC units that utilise compressors push hot air outdoors into the environment. Assuming that all homes in a neighbourhood are being cooled at the same time, the effect of the hot air on the area's micro-climate cannot be overstated. On the other hand, air that is released by a water-based system is cool and less humid compared to environmental humidity. In this sense, the new technology is less likely to lead to the micro-climate phenomenon. Also, water-based air-conditioning does not use refrigerants that contribute to carbon emissions. The cooling technology is, therefore, environmentally-friendly in the sense that no hydrochlorofluorocarbon and chlorofluorocarbon is used for cooling. Furthermore, the best thing about the new system is that it can produce safe drinking water as a by-product of the AC's operation. In areas that do not have a reliable supply of drinking water, a water-based cooling system can supplement the demand. The by-product of a refrigerant-based AC is pollution.