Efficient use of ACs can save 25% of power: IPD

Assuming that 2.8 million air conditioners (ACs) are running in the country a researcher has estimated that if all the ACs operate for eight hours a day at 22° C temperature they consume 76.88 percent of national grid electricity.

Only 4°C (from 22° to 26°) temperature increase in ACs can save electricity of around 6,523MW/hr or 25.35 percent of the total electricity consumed, he found.

It can also save up to 40 percent to 55 percent of the electricity. He also recommended formulating a proper policy guideline on ACs.

While presenting a research done by Urban Planner and Development Researcher Md Redwanur Rahman, Executive Director of Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) Professor Dr Adil Mohammed Khan said in an online programme that since 2016 some 2.8 million units of ACs have been sold.

He came up with the statement during an IPD urban dialogue held online on Friday morning.

Quoting recent research on AC market in the country, he said AC usage has risen about 20 percent yearly in last 6 years. Almost 65 percent ACs are used in Dhaka.

According to the researcher, 20 percent unit ACs are considered residential type ACs and 80 percent units are non-residential used in office, commercial spaces, farms and industries.

Taking these entire units active right now, it is estimated that at 22° temperature these units would consume 19,783 MW/hr (residential - 4,300 MW/hr and non-residential consumption - 15,482 MW/hr) or about 76.88 percent of the national grid electricity, the Executive director said.

If the ACs run at 26° temperature, it consumes 13,260 MW/hr electricity which is 51.53 percent of the national grid. It means efficient use of ACs could save some net electricity of around 6,523 MW/hr which is 25.35 percent of the national grid.

The professor further went on saying that usage of ACs has impact on environment as well as it emits huge temperature.

In general a Residential Split type 1 ton AC running at 22° temperature emits around 3.516kW energy or 12000 BTU (British thermal unit).

Quoting several researches the professor said the main cause of rising temperature is over-energy consuming. And AC is one of the major reasons for over consumption.

Dr Adil Mohammed said such cooling devices are major contributor in increase of 3° temperature in Dhaka city.

Quoting World Bank report he said the rising temperature would eat up about 6.7 percent GDP (Gross Domestic Production) of Bangladesh by 2050.

Researcher Redwanur Rahman Hridom said it’s difficult to ensure control over device usage due to corruption or administrative obstacles.

But the government can issue a decree for the relevant companies to fix the sensor that will not let devices go below 26°C or 25°C temperature.

India (24°C), Japan (28°C) and even USA (25.5°C) has such provision as well, he added.

Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman and Professor, Department of Environmental Science in Stamford University of Bangladesh, said in this regard all professionals concerned – urban planner, architect, mechanical engineer and electrical engineer should work together.