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No one can work at peak efficiency if they are too hot or too cold. They may become lethargic or irritable: they may even absent themselves from work as a result. This all adds up to less efficient work, greater liability to error, lower productivity, decline in staff morale and faster turn around of personnel. John Berry of Ove Arup and Partners discusses the role to be played by air conditioning in managing the office environment.

The purpose of this paper is to describe and categorize calculation methods for conducting a complete air conditioning study. More specifically, this paper is a general review of cooling loads calculation methods, psychrometric calculations for installing a central air conditioning unit, ways of fan coil units connection and air duct calculation methods.

This paper was based on two pillars: a dissertation for an industrial facility and technical information found after methodical research.

After a brief reference of the calculation methods and the air conditioning systems installed in this industrial facility, this paper concludes with the most appropriate calculation methods for this industrial facility.

This study describes some calculation methods. Thus, future research could be addressed toward the analysis of more methods.

This paper includes implications for choosing the most appropriate calculation method according to the air conditioning system installed.

The originality of this paper lies in the fact that, except for the theoretical part, there are some examples taken from a case study, thus it can be used as a future guide for selecting methods and systems of industrial air conditioning.

The first question is why provide comfort air‐conditioning (AC) at all? In considerations of whether or not to adopt AC, a point to remember constantly is that only AC can provide effective cooling in the summer period in the UK, whereas, by contrast, the provision of ventilation, either by natural or mechanical means, and other palliative measures, such as the introduction of solar control glazing, blinds, etc, can do no more than relieve the degree of over‐heating, at best and if at all.

Considers the whole‐life costs of various forms of heating, cooling and air‐conditioning in the office interior, from the economic view points of both organizations and developers. Considers whether air‐conditioning is necessary and/or affordable in the post‐recession property world. Evaluates costs and efficiency, for developers, investors and tenants in developing, buying or leasing a commercial building. Points to the importance of wise decisions, properly informed by technology and economics.

AIRPORTS are large and complicated establishments where efficient operation and security are mandatory requirements. These qualities can only be obtained by the careful study of all those electrical, electronic and mechanical systems that are supporting the operation of an airport.

Considers the problem of choosing between either fully air‐conditioned or naturally ventilated space. Examines the choice taken by Refuge Assurance PLC to operate its headquarters building without constant air conditioning. Describes the cooling and environmental systems of the building and energy performance. Argues that it would be a brave step to eliminate air‐conditioning altogether from any modern building.

The issue of energy efficiency is becoming increasingly prevalent globally due to factors such as the expansion of the population, economic growth and excessive consumption that is not sustainable in the long run. Additionally, healthcare facilities and hospitals are facing challenges as their operational costs continue to rise. The research aim is to develop strategic frameworks for managing green hospitals, towards energy efficiency and corporate governance in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

This research employs a qualitative case study approach, with a sample of ten hospitals examined through interviews with senior management, executives and healthcare facilities managers. Relevant data was also collected from literature and analysed through critical appraisal and content analysis. The research methodology is based on the use of grounded theory research methodologies to build theories from case studies.

The research developed three integrated conceptual strategic frameworks for managing hospitals and healthcare facilities towards energy efficiency, green hospital initiatives and corporate governance. The research also outlined the concepts of green hospitals and energy efficiency management systems and best practices based on the conclusions drawn from the investigated case studies.

The study is limited to the initiatives and experiences of the healthcare facilities studied in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The research findings, conclusions, recommendations and proposed frameworks and concepts contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge. This research also provides recommendations for hospital managers and policymakers on how to effectively implement and manage energy efficiency initiatives in healthcare facilities.

The complexity of controlling a diverse site is demonstrated by York Controls Group at Essex Police headquarters in Chelmsford. Varied building types with HVAC plant ranging from 20‐year‐old boiler‐fed radiators to modern air conditioning systems are managed by a York ISN building control system. Following the success of this application a number of remote police stations have been integrated within the main control system. Control integration is a hot topic in the controls industry with many manufacturers developing software gateways to allow their controllers to communicate with a range of buildings services plant as well as other manufacturers’ controllers. However, in the long term it is expected that common communications protocols will dispense with these gateways and representatives from all the European countries are currently working together to achieve agreed protocol.

Reviews development in air conditioning from cave dwellers to the mid 1970s in the UK. Presents an overview of common air conditioning systems, with their relative merits. Concludes that air conditioning gives increased comfort levels and efficiency. Argues that the design of systems should be user‐led, rather than technology‐driven.

This chapter will introduce three novel technologies demonstrated in Sino-Italian Green Energy Lab of Shanghai Jiao Tong University for the hot summer and cold winter climate zone.

Experimental and modeling works have been conducted on the application of these systems. A comprehensive review on the features of these novel technologies, their adaptability to local climate condition have been carried out, and some initial study results have been reported.

Solar PV direct-driven air conditioner with grid connection, home used small temperature difference heat pump, smart house energy information and control system are appropriate energy technologies with reduced CO₂ emission, which can be applied efficiently in the hot summer and cold winter climate zone. More useful data will be obtained in the future demonstration tests in Sino-Italian Green Energy Lab.

This work shows combining renewable energy technologies and information technologies is crucial to improve the energy efficiency and the comfortableness for indoor environment.