This paper documents that air conditioners sold in Brazil and most other A5 Parties have far lower energy efficiency than the products sold by the same companies in developed countries (non-A5 Parties). The study is original and unique because a certification laboratory contrasts the energy performance of brands for the same size ductless mini-split room air conditioners.
Like other studies, this paper shows that the added cost of higher efficiency would be rapidly paid back to residential AC owners in lower electricity costs, and that clean air, health, and agricultural co-benefits of energy efficiency are in the national and global interest. Like other studies, this paper shows residential AC buyers are being more influenced by purchase price without proper consideration of higher ownership costs and global environmental damage avoided by higher energy efficiency.
Unlike other studies that try to encourage self-interest with labelling, this paper investigates more comprehensively the special circumstances of the Brazilian market situation and recommends: 1) accelerated top-down revision of current minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), and 2) accelerated local manufacture of inverter compressors with superior energy efficiency for lower-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.
In addition, this paper recommends an investment strategy for government organizations in Brazil that: 1) sets the MEPS at the level justified by electricity savings plus social co-benefits, 2) procures residential ACs on the basis of Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP), 3) finances the added cost in the first year for low-GWP ACs with superior energy efficiency, and 4) finances the higher cost of superior energy efficiency and low GWP in subsequent years from the savings in electricity that accrue over the life of the superior ACs.
Finally, this paper makes the case for voluntary government/industry partnerships to orchestrate the transition from ACs using high-GWP refrigerants with poor energy efficiency to superior energy efficiency ACs using lower-GWP refrigerants.
Note: This paper, along with a PowerPoint presentation, was presented in July 2016 at a Side Event during the Resumed Session of the 37th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 37 & 38) and 3rd Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, which was a pivotal moment for the Kigali HFC Phasedown Amendment and Kigali Energy Efficiency Decision, which was adopted 15 October 2016 in Rwanda. The paper and PowerPoint presentation from the Side Event were lost from UNEP’s website, so we updated our author’s copy with replacement of links that had expired and with paragraph reformatting.
The Center for Environmental Energy Engineering (CEEE) at University of Maryland, the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), Centro Studi Galileo, and the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD) have released the Handbook of Best Practices: Room Air Conditioner Installation for the Lowest Carbon Footprint, which explains how to appropriately install high-efficiency room air conditioners (RACs) for the highest energy efficiency and lowest carbon footprint over the products’ lifetime. This comprehensive, open-source guide has been created for HVAC professionals and their business, government, and residential customers.
With climate change and energy efficiency at the forefront of global conversations, the importance of minimizing the carbon footprint of everyday appliances cannot be overstated. Air conditioning creates comfortable work and living spaces, and in climate hotspots is becoming necessary for human survival. RACs also place significant demands on national energy grids and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. By focusing on optimal installation, the Handbook offers practical steps to mitigate these environmental impacts.
Topics covered include:
- Energy-Efficient Installation Techniques: Explains how the placement and setup of your AC unit can enhance energy efficiency, ensuring that RACs run at peak performance while using less power.
- Choosing the Right RAC Unit: Takes an in-depth look at selecting high-efficiency, eco-friendly air conditioners that are best suited for different climates and building types.
- Refrigerant Management: Reveals the latest developments on sustainable refrigerants that minimize harmful emissions and promote cooling with lower environmental impact.
- Smart Thermostat Integration: Provides Best Practices for integrating RACs with smart technologies to optimize cooling cycles for reduced energy usage.
- Maintenance and Longevity: Gives tips for maintaining RAC systems to ensure they remain efficient over time, helping to extend their life cycle and reduce the need for replacement units.
The authors welcome suggestions from RAC experts regarding edits and additions as the Handbook is improved and made available for translation to other languages.
This paper explains how investing in energy efficiency increases net employment, including as a result of the money saved by energy efficiency improvements being spent locally in support of household and community development. This higher efficiency also allows a sustained improvement in the quality of life with cleaner air, better health, less damage from climate change, and less spent on health care and recovery from climate disasters. Low income and otherwise disadvantaged communities in areas despoiled by fossil fuel extraction and combustion for energy and industry all benefit from clean renewable energy (solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal) and more affordable appliance operating costs.
