CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROM OFFICE EQUIPMENT

Abstract

Energy labels and standards that inform consumers about the improved environmental performance of products have fast become commonplace throughout the world. A wide variety of products are already being labelled as energy efficient and consumers can achieve significant bill savings by using them. Since less electricity is being used, less fossil fuel will be burnt and the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted will be reduced. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. We spend the majority of our time in indoor environments and indoor air quality is one of the most important environmental risks to our well-being and health. Today, many electrical appliances, such as office equipment, have become a part of our lives. Office equipment have been found to be sources of ozone, respirable particles with diameter measuring 10 micrometre or less, volatile organic compounds, total volatile organic compounds and semivolatile organic compounds. However, it is unknown whether office equipment emit carbon dioxide when in operation. The aim of this dissertation is to investigate whether laptops, a type of office equipment, emit carbon dioxide when in operation and if they emit carbon dioxide, the concentration of carbon dioxide being emitted. It was found through the series of experiments that were conducted that laptops do not emit carbon dioxide when in operation. In addition, it was found that laptops emit heat when in operation.