How Might Different Setpoint Temperatures in Air Conditioning Systems Affect the Energy(kWh) Consumption at a School in Hong Kong?

Abstract:

Air conditioning uses around 13% of the world’s electricity, emitting around 2 billion tonnes of CO2 a year (Buranyi, 2019). 30% of Hong Kong’s yearly energy usage is used on air conditioners (Hong Kong’s Obsession, 2018). Similarly, a large percentage approximately 9 million Hong Kong dollars and 7.2 million kilowatt hours) of the ISF Academy’s energy consumption is caused by air conditioning. One factor that might affect the energy consumption, is the set point chosen on the air conditioning units. The school has recommended keeping each of the classrooms at 24 degrees. How widely is this followed? And what difference does it really make?

A survey of set points will be conducted in one of the school buildings to determine what set points people currently use. Then, using G-HUB (software that monitors and tracks energy consumption throughout our school) and the 5000 energy sensors installed throughout the ISF campus, we will measure the difference in energy consumption caused by a 1 degree change in set point. The data will be collected in two rooms in the same building that use the same air conditioning model.

References

Carbon Cycle and the Earth's Climate, www.columbia.edu/~vjd1/carbon.htm.

Buranyi, Stephen. “The Air Conditioning Trap: How Cold Air Is Heating the World.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 29 Aug. 2019, www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/29/the-air-conditioning-trap-how-cold-air-is-heating-the-world.

Ho, Sally. “Record Global Carbon Dioxide Concentrations In Spite Of Covid-19.” Green Queen, 14 May 2020, www.greenqueen.com.hk/record-global-carbon-dioxide-concentrations-in-spite-of-covid-19/.

“Hong Kong's Obsession with Air Conditioning Is Bad for Us All.” South China Morning Post, 20 July 2018, www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2025857/hong-kongs-obsession-air-conditioning-bad-us-all.

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