Using Air conditioning NZ has become a necessity, and is an integral part of our lives. As we continue to become more and more dependent on energy, our dependence on air conditioning has become increasingly significant.
Energy culture has moved air-conditioning from a luxury to a dependency
Historically, air-conditioning has been considered a luxury item. However, recent record-breaking heat waves in Europe have prompted Europeans to rethink their cooling habits.
In the United States, air conditioning is now a common fixture in homes, offices and museums. According to a recent industry estimate, at least one in five homes in the country have AC units. The rate of ownership is expected to rise to 71 to 81 percent by the century’s end.
Air conditioning has a big impact on the annual energy consumption of households. A recent study found that households using AC consumed four times more electricity than households that did not. In the US, the average air conditioning unit costs about $120,000 to $600,000 in today’s dollars.
The rapid adoption of AC has a major impact on the environment. It has a negative effect on climate change. In addition, increased usage of AC creates an increased urban heat island (UHI). In turn, elevated temperatures can increase the duration and intensity of heat waves.
Minimum energy performance standards
Several countries have set minimum energy performance standards to remove inefficient products from the market. This is done to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In New Zealand, air conditioning is required to comply with the minimum energy performance standards.
Air conditioning in New Zealand commercial buildings has increased in recent years. This is largely due to decreases in the price of electricity. As a result, the cost of energy to commercial users has decreased, leading to increased reliance on air-conditioning in commercial buildings.
New Zealand’s air conditioning requirements are part of the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002. These regulations were gazetted 17 December 2020. Schedule 1 of these regulations includes an amendment to the Energy Efficiency (Energy & Conservation) Act 2000. This amendment includes a period of public consultation.
The minimum energy performance and labelling requirements for air conditioners in New Zealand will be introduced on 1 July 2021. This change will apply to air conditioners with an energy rating greater than 65 kW.
Building envelope performance contributes to ‘green’ accreditation
Having a high performance building envelope is important to achieve sustainable accreditation. It looks at the blend of facade materials, the conduction and infiltration, and the energy efficiency. It is also important to address solar radiation control. These elements are evaluated to determine the energy performance of three sustainable envelope designs.
The building envelope has a large impact on the environment and the health of occupants. The built environment affects the economy and productivity. To promote a sustainable development concept, building professionals should incorporate sustainable development concepts into the building envelope design.
In addition, the building envelope also has an impact on resource consumption. For example, building envelopes can reduce the energy and resource requirements for mechanical systems and occupant comfort. These features can save significant annual operating costs. The building envelope also has the potential to protect buildings from environmental impacts.
Building envelopes also act as a filter between the interior and exterior environments. This filtering effect is important to maintain interior climate conditions year-round.
Warmer Kiwi Homes government programme
Whether you’re looking to save money on your heating or simply want to make your home warmer and healthier, you can get help with a Government programme called Warmer Kiwi Homes. This programme is run by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). There are grants available for a variety of energy-efficient home improvement projects. If you’re interested in applying for a grant, check out the EECA’s website. You can find out more about what’s covered and how much it costs.
The Warmer Kiwi Homes programme is designed to help low-income families make their homes warmer, drier and healthier. The grants cover two-thirds of the cost of insulation and efficient heating appliances. In addition to insulation, Warmer Kiwi Homes grants cover heat pumps and pellet burners.
The program is capped at $3000, including GST. This isn’t a huge amount, but it can help you make your home warmer and healthier. If you want to apply for the grant, you must own your home and live in an area that has been identified as low-income.