Product category:
Electrical Services
News Release from: Mitsubishi Electric Automation Systems | Subject: Sustainable heating and cooling
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 February 2007
Mitsubishi Electric proactive stance on
CO2
Mitsubishi Electric announces a dramatic vision for sustainable heating and cooling.
Company announces a dramatic vision for sustainable heating and cooling Mitsubishi Electric is using the heating, ventilation and air conditioning trade's biggest shows (RAC and HandV '07) to ask the industry to pause for thought and question whether a growth in comfort cooling for the UK's homes is in the best interest of the consumer, the industry, the country and the environment In addition, the company has shared its initial strategy on how the commercial sector can actively respond to growing legislation and the ambition of corporate customers to reduce their own carbon footprint
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 23 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Welcome for air source recognition
House of Lords agrees to support the expansion of the statutory definition of 'microgeneration' to include air source heat pumps.
Carbon reductions from combined heat and power
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is high efficiency technology strongly backed by the UK Government, who have set a target of 10,000 MW of installed CHP capacity by 2010.
"The Stern Report has highlighted the catastrophic danger to businesses of ignoring climate change, and we are responding to this by announcing our own 100-day plan which will review our operations and highlight ways in which we believe the industry can act to reduce CO2 emissions, rather than increase them," explained Donald Daw, Air Conditioning Divisional Commercial Director for Mitsubishi Electric.
"As a major industry player, we want to grow and sustain our business as much as any other manufacturer, but to do this without a fundamental review of the sustainability of this approach is highly inappropriate and out of step with our core values as a business," he added.
Mitsubishi Electric estimates that the splits and VRF air conditioning sector could account for up to 1,600,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum for cooling and that this figure could increase to 2,400,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum (even with increasing efficiency) by 2016 if current behaviour isn't changed.
Further reading
Jet Towel wins hands down
Radical new hand dryer that has revolutionised washroom hygiene throughout Japan and Asia is now available in Europe, through inventors Mitsubishi Electric.
Thames barrier staff protect London in comfort
Staff at Thames Barrier are enjoying a fully controllable indoor working environment thanks to the installation of a new City Multi heat recovery air conditioning system by MacWhirter .
Intelligent automation platform from Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi has addressed today's business needs for more flexible, efficient and integrated processes with the introduction of the iQ Platform.
The Company also estimates that through the active replacement of older equipment, appropriate maintenance measures, better informed equipment buying decisions and free cooling and heat recovery, a considerable saving of CO2 can be made every year - Mitsubishi Electric predicts this could reach as much as 482,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum in ten years time.
"We are aware that 'Greenwash' is everywhere and that some will question our motives, but we simply believe it is time to start reviewing fundamental and engrained thinking about what is healthy for the industry's future and develop new approaches," said Daw.
"We plan to back our words with action on 7 June, when we will announce our own plans for combating increased levels of CO2 after we have concluded our 100-day review.
"We believe that air conditioning is a fact of life in the modern world and that the commercial sector will continue to grow, but we also know that the industry can deliver improved sustainable technology to meet the heating and cooling needs of the country," added Daw.
"We need to start by removing our industry's obsession with domestic air conditioning and act responsibly by looking at what is actually needed rather than simply trying to drive up sales".
The country needs an ambitious growth in housing but at the same time the building sector will have to respond to increased pressure from Government to achieve zero carbon housing by 2016.
Daw also expects existing housing stock to become a key focus for policy makers with 75 per cent of these properties still expected to be in use in 2050.
"Space heating and hot water account for over 80 per cent of each household's CO2 output, and this is where I believe the industry should focus and develop advanced heat pump technology that can challenge the 1.6 million domestic gas boilers that are sold each year in the UK," explained Daw.
Mitsubishi Electric has developed heat pump boiler technology that delivers a 30 - 52 per cent saving in CO2 emissions over even the most modern and efficient gas boiler.
"It sounds a little extreme, but if every UK gas boiler sale was replaced by a heat pump boiler, we could reduce emissions by 16,888,000 tonnes of CO2 by 2016," said Daw.
The company recognises that domestic over heating is an issue at certain times of the year and also accepts that air conditioning may be necessary in some homes, such as in inner city hot spots.
However, until the industry has actually reviewed what the need is, the most sustainable way to cool is through ventilation and free cooling.
"Of course we want a healthy and growing market, but we realise that traditional heating and cooling has to be challenged.
We've started to challenge our own thinking and we would encourage others to do the same," he ended. Request a free brochure from Mitsubishi Electric Automation Systems ...
• Mitsubishi Electric Automation Systems: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
• Buildingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
