The Future of Off-peak Cooling
The Night Sky Project Using a U.S. Department of Energy grant, Richard Bourn developed a roof-mounted system using water, spray-cooled by the night air, to cool the building during the hottest part of the day. Tested on flat and low-sloped roofs, a couple of different installation types were used. An analysis of five of these systems showed a reduction in peak cooling demand of between 50 and 90 percent. It was also projected that a NightSky type system could double a roof's effective life. The NightSky project is just one example of how creative energy conservation is changing the way we define our need for power [source: Night Sky]. |
As long as power companies are offering incentives for using power during off-peak hours, the future of off-peak cooling looks bright. Not only that, there also are disincentives for businesses that use power during peak times in the form of time-of-use tariffs and demand charges imposed by the power companies in places like Southern California and other energy strapped locations. On the flip side, some of these same utilities are offering very attractive incentives to convert equipment that uses off-peak energy, including footing the bill for the cost of the equipment and offering energy discounts [source: Du Bois].
On the residential front, a number of power companies already provide time-of-use pricing for residential customers, and this trend is likely to continue as power demands grow. Effective Jan. 1, 2010, the R22 coolant you probably use in your current air-conditioning system will be phased out in favor of R410A, a more eco-friendly alternative. If your air conditioner's evaporator or condenser needs service, you'll have to make a possibly costly conversion, which might be a good time to start considering some off-peak alternatives to your air-conditioning needs [source: ACU Air].
On the next page, you'll find more articles that will explain green energy practices and lots more interesting information.
