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ENVIROMENTAL BENEFITS of Air Conditioning
A significant step towards achieving Net Zero
Air conditioning reduces CO₂ by approximately 1 tonne per classroom per year.
Modern AC systems typically use 80% less energy than fossil fuels.
Air conditioning is a significant step towards achieving NET ZERO.
Considerable environmental and cost advantages vs gas, electric and oil.
Air conditioning is an ideal partner for solar solutions.
CLIMATE OF LEARNING INITIATIVE
Total Savings By Uk Schools
£'s Saved To Date
kWh Saved To Date
Tonnes CO₂ Saved To Date
CO₂ REDUCTION
Switching means significant CO₂ reduction
Switching results in significant CO₂ reductions.
Switching from a traditional heating system to air conditioning will typically reduce a classroom’s CO₂ output by a staggering 1 tonne per class, per year.
The impact of all the schools in the UK switching their heating to air conditioning would be a reduction of over half a million tonnes of CO₂ per year.
Why Air Conditioning Produces Less CO₂
Efficiency:
Air conditioning Heat pumps are designed to be highly efficient, providing 3-4 units of heat energy for every 1 unit of electricity consumed.
Renewable Energy:
When powered by electricity generated from renewable sources, the carbon emissions of a heat pump are reduced even further.
Reduced Fuel Combustion:
Unlike traditional boilers, which rely on burning fossil fuels, air conditioning heat pumps do not directly combust gas, a major source of CO₂.
What Does This Mean for a Typical School?
Imagine a small primary school with 10 classrooms:
| System | Annual CO₂ Emissions | |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Heating | 12.9 tonnes | |
| Electric Heating | 10.8 tonnes | |
| Air Conditioning (Air-to-Air) | 3.1 tonnes |
CO₂ saved vs Gas: 9.8 tonnes per year
🌱 Environmental Comparison: CO₂ Emissions
| Heating Type | Energy Used | CO₂ Factor (kg/kWh) | Annual CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Heating | 7,059 kWh | 0.183 | 1,292 kg |
| Electric Heating | 6,000 kWh | 0.18 | 1,080 kg |
| Air Conditioning (Air-to-Air) | 1,714 kWh | 0.18 | 308.5 kg |
✓ Air-to-Air saves nearly 1 tonne of CO₂ per classroom per year vs gas, and even more vs electric heating.
With rooftop solar or a green tariff, heat pumps can become zero-carbon.
For further reading: See the RESOURCE section.
NET ZERO
Air conditioning is arguably the most economical and realistic route to NET ZERO
Many education leaders, particularly those in Church of England Schools, are setting NET ZERO targets for 2030 (20 years ahead of central government targets). In reality, the prohibitive cost and disruption involved with ground/water based heat pumps and storage tanks makes this goal financially unrealistic and unachievable for most schools still grappling with limited budgets, poor heating infrastructure and increasingly high energy costs.
Air conditioning is simple to install using air rather than water to heat. A typical classroom system would also normally be priced at under £2000 through the Climate of Learning initiative.
Air conditioning uses a very small amount of electricity to power its fans. This prevents it from hitting 100% NET ZERO as a stand-alone solution. However, combining air conditioning with inexpensive green technologies (such as solar panels) will achieve 100% NET ZERO. Most importantly, schools will also enjoy the considerable benefits of COOLING.
Achieving NET ZERO for heating and providing all the learning benefits associated with cooling is the finest legacy any SLT can leave a school.
For further reading: See the RESOURCE section.
KEY NOTES
Heating with air conditioning significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Heating with air conditioning helps the environment by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel-based heating systems like gas boilers.
Lower Carbon Emissions:
Unlike fossil fuel systems, air conditioning does not burn fuel, eliminating the direct production of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants like methane.
Higher Energy Efficiency:
Air conditioning works by moving heat, not generating it, making it highly efficient. It can produce three to four times more heat energy than the electricity it consumes.
Reduced Reliance on Fossil Fuels:
By operating on very small amounts of electricity, air conditioning allows for the use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro, which reduces overall reliance on finite fossil fuels.
Improved Air Quality:
By eliminating the combustion process in school buildings, air conditioning reduces the emission of major air pollutants associated with heating, which contributes to better public health.
Flexibility and Heating/Cooling:
Modern air conditioning systems provide cooling, making it a versatile technology for adapting to a warming world and reducing the environmental impact of conventional technologies.
For further reading: See the RESOURCE section.
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One that boosts performance, lowers bills, and leaves a powerful legacy?
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