Solar Air Conditioner Is Getting More Popular

One of the greatest global concerns today is the growing threat of climate change. Asia will suffer most from the devastating effects of climate change. It all boils down to the world’s energy consumption trends, which lead to pollution. 

Most of the traditional sources of energy including fossil fuels used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings impact the environment negatively. For instance, heating and cooling in most Asian homes still rely on electricity. Electricity production relies on the burning of fossil fuels. 

With the increasing demand for HVAC systems, and other home systems more natural resources have to be extracted. The energy products manufactured release harmful emissions to the atmosphere to create a greenhouse gas effect. 

Property owners can make a big change through the adoption of sustainable lifestyles. The solar air conditioner is a good example of a green living trend which can reverse the devastating effect which heating and cooling system have on the environment. 

This post looks at the rising popularity of solar air conditioning in Asia and the rest of the world. Read on to find out reasons to install this green technology for your home. 

Solar Air Conditioning in Brief 

Solar air conditioners harness the power of natural sunlight to keep your home cool. You can choose a fully solar-powered unit or go for a hybrid unit that combines solar and electricity from the grid. 

Unlike a conventional A/C unit which relies on electricity from the grip to power the fan, your solar AC derives power from the sun. The system requires the installation of photovoltaic technology (PV) panels on your home’s roof. The most common models of these solar ACs are:

    • Solar thermal hybrid air conditioners: The system uses solar energy to help in the compression stage of the refrigeration process. 
  • Solar PV hybrid air conditioners: The unit gets the best out of both worlds by switching between solar power and battery power depending on the availability of sunshine. 
  • Absorption chillers/evaporative coolers: These units use water evaporation and condensation to produce cool air, and solar energy helps power the fan and the motor components involved in the heating and cooling process.

The Rising Popularity of Solar Air Conditioners

  • Cost Savings 

One of the major benefits of solar energy is the opportunity to save money on home maintenance. With air conditioning consuming so much electricity and with the cost of energy continuing to rise, homeowners are on the lookout for any way to cut costs. 

With the hot climate in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, there’s no way you can survive without an air conditioner. The solar air conditioner comes in as the best compromise because you get to enjoy a cooler home at a lower cost.

  • Reliability

In many countries, blackouts caused by extreme weather, inefficient power infrastructure, and other issues are common. During an outage, homes in hot areas become uninhabitable. Without air conditioning, working in offices is also impossible and solar-powered air conditioners come in handy. 

If you’re a property owner, you can now enjoy more reliable power for your air conditioning all year round. You don’t have to scramble for short-term solutions every time there’s an outage. 

  • The Glaring Effects of Global Warming

A conventional air conditioner relies on electricity from the grid to cool any living space. In most Asian countries with a hot and humid climate, air conditioning is a necessity throughout the year. Air conditioners are among the main consumers of electricity in residential properties. 

The increase in demand for air conditioning translates to more extraction and burning of fossil fuels, rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gasses lead to a rise in temperatures and thus even more demand for air conditioning. 

This vicious cycle has been going on for the last few decades as property owners try to create comfortable indoor spaces. The only way to stop the cycle is by leveraging renewable solar energy for air conditioning. Installation of solar air conditioners reduces the need for fossil-fuels for electricity consumption and thus helps protect the environment.

Property owners in Asia can now see the reality of global warming with an increase in the sea –levels, extreme temperatures, and extreme weather events among other devastating effects. With more information flow, communities across Asia have become more conscious about their role in the environmental conversation. This is another reason for the solar energy air conditioner popularity and other renewable technologies.

  • Increasing Value of Property 

Installation of a solar energy system for heating, cooling, and other functions can positively impact the market value of the property. Homebuyers look for such additions to make the purchase decisions. 

  • Ease of Maintenance 

Solar panel systems that power your air conditioner are easy to maintain. Most systems come with above 10 years of warranty. Look for a system that has a service plan. The only maintenance required is to wash or clean the panels for improved efficiency.

Final Thoughts 

Other reasons for the popularity of solar ACs include the falling prices of solar energy hardware and installation costs, and the government support through incentives and credits. If you plan to start a home improvement project, consider solar air conditioning. The system frees you from dependence on the national grid and you save a lot of money. The best thing is that solar power projects eventually pay for themselves. 

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