A. New York leads the way in energy savings
B. The goal: zero impact on the environment
C. Psychological impact: Too spoiled to handle the heat?

A. Better technology and education
B. New ways to calculate building "respiration"

A. Higher construction costs
B. Ice-ing on the technology
C. Go for a cool landscape
D. Light up with fluorescents
E. A coming "anti-air" lifestyle?

Figures from 1998 show that 76 percent of U.S. housing units have air conditioning (48 percent with central air, 28 percent with one or more window units). That marks a substantial increase over 1970 when 36 percent of housing units had air conditioning (25 percent with window units and 10-11 percent with central air). Dooley added that 94 percent of homes in the South have air conditioning (central or window units), 50 percent in the West, 81 percent in the Midwest, and 66 percent in the Northeast. contact: 703-524-8836

2. COOLING CONCERNS
A. NEW YORK LEADS THE WAY
It would seem the air conditioning industry has a rosy future. The warmer it gets, the more air conditioners in use. And the more air conditioners in use, the warmer it gets. You see, air conditioners require electricity provided by utility providers that burn fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases in order to produce that electricity.

Recently, the New York state legislature became the first in the nation to approve incentives for the construction and rehabilitation of commercial buildings using environmentally enhanced "green" designs. John Mandyck, vice president of government and international relations f or Carrier Corporation: "The passage of the green building tax credit clearly puts New York state out front in environmental leadership. States can play a valuable role in providing incentives to building owners to consider every way to build environmentally friendly buildings." (Carrier is the world's largest manufacturer of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment which has invested nearly $150 million in research and new product development for air conditioning systems that use non-ozone-depleting refrigerants.) contact: 860-674-3006

B. THE GOAL: ZERO EMISSIONS
Richard Hayter, associate dean of engineering, Kansas State University's Industrial Extension Service, says that though the environmental effect of the new refrigerants is significantly less than in the past, some still impact climate changes and the ozone. "As we develop new refrigerants, chemical manufacturers will be working on the ultimate goal...zero impact, and as manufacturers develop new equipment around those refrigerants, that equipment will become more energy efficient. Less electricity will be used, which leads to carbon-based fuels and less potential impact on climate change."

Hayter added that the growing popularity of air conditioning will continue to lead population shifts to warmer climates. However, he says even in northern areas of the U.S., there's increasing demand for air conditioning. contact: 785-532-6026

C. PSYCHOLOICAL IMPACT: TOO SPOILED TO HANDLE THE HEAT?
UC psychologist Tony Grasha says that humans have the ability to adapt to seasonal changes in temperature; however, continual use of air conditioning can make it more difficult to handle the summer's hot humid air. "It's a natural process -- adaptation," said Grasha. "People adapt and get used to a certain level of heat or cold. That's why in the winter, if you have a 40 degree day after several days at 20 degrees or colder, it seems much warmer. With air conditioning, you get used a certain temperature level and when you step outside, it feels warmer than it really is."

One side effect of all of this is that over time people develop preferences for certain temperatures. They learn what feels right for them and act accordingly. Unfortunately, there are individual differences in the preferences for heat and cold which is why you can end up with those classic thermostat wars at home and in the office. "People have different tolerances. What's cold for me might not be the same for two different people." contact: 513-556-5543

3. NEW PRESCRIPTIONS FOR SICK BUILDINGS
A. BETTER TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION
Ronald Butler, UC adjunct instructor of mechanical engineering technology and EPA stationary engineer responsible for operating the agency's commercial heating and air conditioning, said that when the 1970s energy crunch led to more air-tight buildings, air conditioning-related problems like mildew and odors became much more common. The worst problems were associated with building that had false ceilings which trapped moisture and then began emitting an odor like vomit.

However, added Butler, who teaches a course on "Indoor Air Quality," improved technology and education is curing "sick building syndrome." Improved technology, such as adjustable fans and dampers in air conditioning units, allow more fresh air into buildings. In addition, young architects and engineers are routinely educated about sick building syndrome. This will, no doubt, mean new developments to alleviate odors and illness associated with air-tight buildings. contact: 513-569-7280

B. NEW WAYS TO CALCULATE BUILDING "RESPIRATION "
Stephen Vamosi, UC professor of architecture, said that along with design freedom, air conditioning also brought unlooked for health consequences caused by the growth of mold and mildew inside ducts, walls and carpets located in air-tight structures. With the energy crisis of the 1970s, architects began designing ever-tighter buildings using new materials that cut down on unwanted outside air seeping into a building. Thus, buildings weren't able to "breathe."

Vamosi is researching ways to calculate the flow of moisture into buildings made of newer, more air-tight materials. "Before, we couldn't calculate precisely the moisture flow because the conditions on either side of the wall were never constant. Computers are allowing us to calculate moisture flow so we can determine which of the newer building materials will allow buildings to breathe. This way, we can create a win-win situation: buildings that are tight and highly insulated but that do not have the moisture-trapping problems (mold, mildew) related to air conditioning." contact: 513-791-5588

4. CONDITIONING'S COSTS AND WAYS TO LOWER THEM
A. HIGHER CONSTRUCTION COSTS
Stephen Vamosi, UC professor of architecture, says that air conditioning as well as other technical innovations such as electricity and elevators have meant a larger and larger role for engineers in the design of buildings. "The combined cost of engineering systems (environmental controls, sanitation, acoustics, electrical and structural systems) could account for 60-75 percent of the total cost of today's buildings.

Electricity and elevators made possible deeper and taller buildings which, in turn, called for climate control. Climate control, in turn, made possible building designs never before possible: glass-curtain walls, composite metal and fiberglass walls, even full glass roofs -- or more conservative skylights -- could be built without overheating building users," said Vamosi who also heads the design firm of Vamosi Associates, Inc. contact: 513-791-5588

B. ICE-ING ON THE TECHNOLOGY
Robert Dorsey, UC professor of construction science, said commercial buildings and apartments are making use of good old-fashioned ice, and he thinks this relatively new technology will come to private homes as well. "Electricity is cheaper at night, and ice bank air conditioning units produce ice not unlike a refrigerator. The unit makes ice during the night. That ice is stored in banks during the day and air is blown across this ice and into the building's duct work during the day. Ideally, the ice melts by nightfall, and the whole process starts over again."

In addition, the computerized controls of commercial buildings (also available for private homes) cut energy use substantially. Said Dorsey, "Careful management ... produces the biggest energy savings. For instance, a business where the computer begins to ease the cooling systems at 4 p.m. on Friday of Memorial Day weekend and then brings it back up to capacity at 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning will work at one-third the energy level." contact: 513-556-5317

C. GO FOR A COOL LANDSCAPE
Tom Smith, adjunct instructor and area coordinator for UC's horticulture program: "A good canopy of plant material can reduce temperatures by 10-12 degrees. The cooling effect of plant material intercepting sun loads on the south and west sides of the home is phenomenal, especially with brick and masonry homes that retain heat."

Smith added that large, canopied trees, such as black maples, sugar maples, black gums and white oaks -- trees with large flat-blade leaves -- work best. Trees not only provide a cooling effect during the hottest days of summer, but they also work to insulate the home during the winter months by serving as windbreaks and deflecting snow from the home. Smaller plants, such as the large viburnum, also will absorb the sun and minimize heat retention in the home. contact: 513-853-6821

D. LIGHT UP WITH FLUORESCENTS
Robert Dorsey, UC professor of construction science, said that windows facing east and west allow the most heat into a home because of the low angle of the sun when its light hits east/west windows. Shade these, as well as southern exposures. "Ceiling fans have come back in popularity.

Moving air makes you feel cooler because it evaporates perspiration. High ceilings are another plus because heat rises, and the higher your ceilings, the more likely you are to have a zone of comfort at body level...Glass is getting better all the time. Tinting of glass and special coatings cut down heat transmission and are widely used residentially and commercially..." said Dorsey, who added that a new building built in the year 2000 is 35 percent more efficient than the average new building of 1974 because of better glass and insulation.

Other tips: Vent attics. Otherwise, heat will be trapped there and bake the ceiling of the living area. Place patios away from direct sun because patios can reflect heat into a building. Use stoves and clothes dryers during the coolest parts of the day. Choose fluorescent light fixtures in the kitchen or study. Though the light isn't as flattering as those of incandescent bulbs, it produces half the heat of an incandescent bulb. contact: 513-556-5317

E. A COMING "ANTI-AIR" LIFESTYLE?
David Lee Smith, UC professor of architecture, predicts a lifestyle trend that will see greater demand for buildings where users can open the windows and interact with the outside environment. "There is pleasure is smelling the breeze, wearing white linen, sitting on the porch. I think people are returning to these joys and the more traditional cooling systems, including trees, summer drapes versus heavy winter curtains, wicker furniture, slip covers...They're a little more labor intensive...probably more common in Europe and developing countries, but they provide us with the chance to celebrate the seasons."

Smith added that America's "buildings, with [their] heavy construction materials, don't need the large air conditioning systems we've built for them. The mass of the building is able to absorb a lot of heat, allowing [for] air conditioning systems that are 20 percent smaller than was once thought. It means a little fluctuation in the interior temperature of the building, but it also means large energy savings." contact: 513-556-5291



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