Ductless Air Conditioning Installation in Wheaton – What Is Passive Cooling?

Passive cooling is a method that incorporates design and technology to cool a building without the use of power. Traditional cooling techniques, such as air conditioning or evaporative cooling, rely on power to operate compressors and fans that forcibly cool a space. Such power is most typically purchased from a local utility and is generated by burning fossil fuels that can have degrading effects on the environment. Passive cooling techniques require no power and range from simple, such as shading the building, to more complex, such as strategic building design. Use of such techniques may reduce or eliminate the need for powered cooling.

Installing Ductless Air Conditioner in Wheaton – Passive Cooling.

In warmer climates, particularly arid regions, cooling is the primary environmental problem for buildings. There are two primary sources of unwanted heat that need to be addressed to keep the interior of the building comfortable for occupants. Direct sunlight on a building, especially shining on windows, is a major source of heat gain for most buildings. Infiltration of warm air through cracks and crevices and heat transfer through building materials also affect the interior temperature.

More complex passive cooling methods may also be incorporated into a building’s design, such as earth cooling tubes. Earth cooling tubes take advantage of the cooler temperatures below the surface of the earth to cool a structure. Buried underground as they lead into a structure, earth cooling tubes draw outdoor air into the building through an underground route. As it passes through these tubes, air looses heat to the much cooler ground through which it travels on its way into the structure. Other passive cooling techniques are typically used in conjunction with earth tubes to set up a natural convection through the structure and vent hotter air.

How to Install Ductless Air Conditioner in Wheaton? Energy Efficiency.

While not suitable for use in all locations, passive cooling is employed in many areas for energy efficiency resulting in cost savings and minimal environmental impact. It is generally most suitable for warmer climates and arid regions. Passive cooling can avoid, in part or in whole, the expense of cooling techniques that are driven by powered devices such as fans and compressors. This energy conservation strategy can also benefit the environment by reducing the need to burn non-renewable fuels that emit waste byproducts harmful to the environment.