Air Conditioning Cold/Heat Source Analysis of the Inclusion of the Monetary Values of Environmental Damage Based on the LCA Theory

Abstract

This is an analysis of the effect on the technical solutions when monetary values of externalities are included in a model for selecting air conditioning cold/heat sources. The focus of the study is on heating and cooling using conventional and seawater source heat pump systems. The included monetary values of damage to the environment and health are those result-ing from atmospheric emissions and water-body toxic-ity. An environmental impact assessment model is pre-sented based on the theories of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Willingness - to - pay (WTP). The analysis makes it possible to compare the technical and eco-nomic differences of the air conditioning system based on business economics to a system with greater empha-sis on socio-economics. This model is applied to assess the environmental impacts of two systems. The results show that by considering externality costs, the total discounted cost of the new system would be approxi-mately equal to the conventional one.