Air-conditioning systems consume a lot of energy. We all know that high energy use means carbon emissions – which is bad! Indeed, the trend for carbon management strategies (not to mention the now-live CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme) clearly shows that it just is not 'cool' to be a high energy user. Yet air-conditioning is often seen as a necessity, in order to cool buildings and to maintain a comfortable and productive working environment. So there is the dilemma: be an evil high energy user, or have a hot, sweaty building that is unpleasant to work in! The good news is that businesses could actually reduce emissions and save on fuel bills simply by better management of air-conditioning use. The even better news is that it is a simple, low-cost solution. In this programme, we look at the 24°C Project which was undertaken by British Council for Offices (BCO).
About the contributors
Neil Pennell Btech (Hons) C.Eng MCIBSE MBCO MASHRAE is the Head of Sustainability & Engineering for Land Securities PLC, the UK's largest quoted property company. He leads an in-house team of specialist engineers and environmental professionals. He is responsible for the project management of the design, procurement and delivery of building services, vertical transportation systems and utility infrastructure for the group's major new development projects.
His environmental team operates across the business, supporting the development and operations business units for both the Retail and London Portfolios. Neil is charged with providing strategic support to the PLC Board on sustainability issues and setting stretching environmental targets to ensure Land Securities retains its leadership position in the sector.
Neil is the Chairman of the Technical Affairs Committee of the British Council of Offices and has contributed to a number of the BCO's technical publications, including the latest edition of the Best Practice Guide to the Specification of Offices 2009. He is a keen advocate of the application of new energy technologies and energy efficient systems in commercial and residential buildings and is a member of the Mayor's 'Energy For London' working group.
Jenny MacDonnell is the Director of Research and Policy at the British Council for Offices (BCO). She was appointed to this position in March 2009, having been employed as the BCO's Research and Policy Officer for the previous 3 years. The BCO's mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector.
Previously, Jenny was employed as the Research Officer at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). She has a master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Bristol.
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