Ayala Malls go green

Eco-friendly malls are fast becoming the standard bearers for sustainability in the architectural world.

From the desert metropolis of Dubai to the industrial hub of Chicago, developers from around the world are reshaping malls into environmentally responsible structures through green retrofitting – the process of making an existing building more eco-friendly through structural improvements or additions.

This trend is becoming more popular among retail establishments because of its many upsides. It promises lower disruption as compared to rebuilding from the ground up, lower energy costs because of energy-efficient equipment, higher occupant satisfaction brought by the aesthetic of natural interiors, and reduced impact to Mother Nature due to less CO2 production.

Here in the Philippines, the Ayala Malls Group is spearheading the eco-friendly mall movement by green retrofitting two of its malls—Shops at Serendra and Greenbelt 5—with sustainable cooling technology.

Sustainable Cooling

Both Ayala malls have adopted the Ice-Cel Thermal Energy Storage (TES) System, an innovative air conditioning technology that cuts down energy consumption by up to 40%, according to a report in the September 2004 edition of ASHRAE Journal.

By significantly reducing their energy consumption, these Ayala malls are contributing to a more sustainable world, since numerous studies correlate higher energy consumption to higher greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

The secret behind Ice-Cel System’s energy-saving feature is the creation and storage of cooling at night. This stored cooling is then used during daytime operations to provide air conditioning for the malls. By shifting ice production from daytime to nighttime, less energy is consumed, electricity cost is reduced, and less greenhouse gases are emitted back in the atmosphere.

The technology behind Ice-Cel is the crowning glory of Dunham-Bush International Sales and Services, Inc. (DBI), the Philippine distributor of Dunham-Bush, the world-renowned manufacturer of energy-efficient air conditioning systems, which include Ice-Cel tanks, screw chillers, pumps and cooling towers, and its proprietary micro computer control system.

Dunham-Bush Philippines is an industry leader providing innovative solutions for the heating, air conditioning and refrigeration needs of its customers. For more information on their energy-efficient air conditioning systems, you may call DBI Sales at 723-4461 to 64 or send an email to [email protected], and visit www.dbiphils.com.