Small Changes, Big Improvements

January 25, 2004 – Vol.8 No.44

SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPROVEMENTS.

A switch to a hybrid electric car or the installation of solar system on a building can make dramatic, overnight changes in energy consumption. But along the way smaller, often unnoticed changes can make a difference too.

According to a study by the Greenhouse Gas Technology Center a new gear lubricant for vehicles can increase fuel economy by one percent.

Doesn’t sound like much, does it?

However, if ALL Ford F-150 trucks (the most popular vehicle in the U.S.) coming off the assembly line in a year used the new lubricant the fuel saved would be equivalent of taking 23,000 of them off the road.

The lubricant was developed by CononcoPhillips and axle manufacturer Visteon.

In determining the methodology to develop a credit system for refrigerants used in centrifugal water chillers for commercial buildings, the Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee (TSAC) of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) determined that HCFC-123 should be preferable to HFC-134a.

As it turns out, HydroChloroFluoroCarbon-123, while having a small potential to damage the ozone layer increases the energy efficiency of water chillers used in heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. And although HydroFluoroCarbon -134a does not damage the ozone layer it is 17 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than HCFC-123. Thus, in analysis, HCFC-123 is the preferred option of the two.

The USGBC will use the results of the study in its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green-building rating program.

Visit the the Greenhouse Gas Technology Center at http://www.sri-rtp.com/ (click Conoco Lubricant) and the U.S Green Building Council at http://www.usgbc.org/ (follow links to TSAC Public Meeting: HCFC Draft Report)