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Everyone is trying to save energy and stay cool this summer, which NASA says is on pace to be the hottest yet, and according to a report on August 16, 2010, Portland's green building industry is doing a booming business in part by helping to meet some of these needs. There are many ways to stay cool, but in addition to some simple low-tech strategies discussed here, new technologies being used in green homes and buildings are taking cooling to the next level.
This article will focus on residential cooling, since green technologies in this area often get a bit less fanfare for some reason than heating and electricity generation technologies, and, hey, it's been a brutal summer.
For most of the 20th century, cooling meant one thing, ventilation, with or without the help of a fan. The main difference when air conditioning was invented was dehumidification, which is certainly important for areas like Portland. However, by first providing proper ventilation, large amounts of heat and moisture can be eliminated, drastically reducing the need for air conditioning.
Solar attic fans take an old idea, saving 20-30% on cooling needs by sucking hot and humid air out of the top of your house, and make it even better by providing free electricity. Solar power means these fans work hardest during the hottest part of the day, and they can be easily installed by do-it-yourself homeowners without doing any electrical wiring.
Solar assisted air conditioners also try to cut the cost of air conditioning by using free electricity. Earlier this year, LG introduced a solar hybrid A/C. But, with only a 70 watt panel on a 1,000 watt unit, the savings are not huge. Lennox, on the other hand, introduced a unit with a single 190 watt module that they claim can cut energy use in half. The unit can also become part of a larger home solar power system with up to 15 modules.
A truly green building should also be properly insulated, sited, and shaded to reduce the need for cooling and maximize natural ventilation. In fact, with good passive design, which takes advantage of these natural thermal processes, little or no air conditioning may be required at all.
Stay tuned for future articles that examine the brave new world...of life beyond the air conditioner.
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