TUESDAY - January 30, 2001: American Gas Cooling Center Press Conference

By Paula Liegl

With the topic of discussion much of the past few months centering on talk of energy in California, the American Gas Cooling Center (AGCC) held its press conference this morning, and took its time to call on the industry to get the word out: there is a way to conserve energy and still heat homes.

Tony Occhonero of AGCC said the best way to help the energy situation is to utilize the developed integration of cooling systems. He said that blackouts and brownouts, while prevalent of late in California, are not inevitable.

“Natural gas air-conditioning, as part of integrated cooling system, offer immediate relief from reliance on overburdened electric power grids,” said Occhonero. “In increasing numbers, commercial and industrial energy consumers are integrating gas air-conditioning into their electric heating and cooling plants.”

With these hybrid plants, consumers can choose their operating fuel based on availability and price, he said.

The AGCC says there are multiple benefits offered by integrated natural gas-electric equipment systems, and some of them will help in gaining customer attention for the product. It says that the systems offers the following:

Lower life-cycle costs;

Electric peak-load reduction;

Increased efficiency;

Improved indoor air quality; and

Enhanced flexibility in managing fluctuating energy prices and fuel availability.

According to figures quoted by Occhonero, the air-conditioning and lighting account for 40% of U.S. energy consumption. This is why electric utilities today welcome customers who can switch off demands on the power gird, especially during peak periods of the day. Accompanied by manufacturers from all over the world, Occhonero said that while the initial cost of these hybrid cooling systems can exceed that of an all-electric system by as much as 50%, and this may cause building contractors from using the systems, the AGCC has found that the “front-end cost” can be recovered in as little as three years. “Assuming a 20-year life span for the equipment, the building will then realize substantial annual operational cost savings for the next 17 years.” For more information, contact the AGCC at 202-824-7141 (phone); or at www.gascooling.org (website).