Do Air Conditioning Systems Emit Greenhouse Gases?

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Does An Air Conditioner Emit Greenhouse GasesIs it true that HVAC systems emit greenhouse gases, which are depleting our atmosphere’s ozone layer? Could your air conditioner be contributing to global warming? Yes, both are true, but there are ways you can minimize your environmental footprint.

First, you should understand the science behind HVAC units, greenhouse gases, and global warming.

How Is Your Air Conditioning System And Greenhouse Gas Connected?

All air conditioning units emit greenhouse gases because of the way they are designed to function. Take your air conditioner, for example. Your air conditioner uses electric coils and an electric pump to transfer air between the interior and exterior of your building. A condenser moves hot air to the outside while an evaporator pushes cool air to the inside. The movement of air is facilitated by a refrigerant, which functions by transforming gas to liquid and vice versa. It is this refrigerant that is a source of greenhouse gases.

When air conditioners were first manufactured, they contained a liquid refrigerant composed of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were later found to emit greenhouse gases. In 1995, U.S. manufacturers began replacing CFCs with halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which have a reduced effect on the depletion of ozone. However, HCFCs still emit greenhouse gases, and the U.S. government is phasing them out of production by 2030.

How Do Greenhouse Gases Affect The Environment?

So how exactly do greenhouse gases affect the environment? Greenhouse gases deplete the ozone layer. The ozone layer is the layer in our atmosphere that protects the Earth from the sun’s UV radiation. This means that as more greenhouse gases are emitted, more of the ozone layer is depleted, and more radiation hits the Earth’s surface, increasing the Earth’s core temperature and causing global warming.

An Easy Way To Reduce Greenhouse Emissions

With this in mind, how can you protect the environment while still using your much-needed air conditioner?

One way to reduce your emission of greenhouse gases is to purchase heating and air conditioning appliances that are ENERGY STAR® qualified. ENERGY STAR is a program that was initiated by the U.S. government and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national energy efficiency standards. Appliances that are ENERGY STAR qualified use approximately 10 percent less energy than non-qualified appliances, which means that they emit fewer greenhouse gases and also reduce your energy costs.

Next time you’re on the market for a new air conditioner or rooftop air conditioner, consider purchasing an energy-efficient model. Our HVAC service experts in Chandler at Bruce’s Air Conditioning and Heating can help you make a smart, cost-effective and environmentally conscious choice.

Energy Efficient HVAC Systems

Call the cooling and heating repair experts in Chandler today to learn more about energy efficient heating and cooling systems and how much these units can also benefit your pocketbook.

Call Your Heating And Cooling Experts Now!