Ice Blocks Used to Chill Buildings
by Trey Granger
Published on July 23rd, 2007
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The Discovery Channel reports that several office buildings in New York City are using cool air generated from ice blocks as a substitute for air conditioning during the hot summer months. The reduction in carbon emissions for one year is reportedly the same as taking 223 cars off the street or planting 1.9 million acres of trees.
“Because electricity is needed to make the ice, water is frozen in large silver tanks at night when power demands are low. The cool air emanating from the ice blocks is then piped throughout the building more or less like traditional air conditioning. At night the water is frozen again and the cycle repeats.”
While this system is still consuming energy, it is putting less strain on the electrical grid, saving companies money on electricity bills and reducing pollution into the New York City air. Plus, now if people from New York are criticized of having an “icy attitude,” it can be seen as a complement.
