A Former NASA Engineer Believes He Has the Solution to Combat Heat in Homes: An Air Conditioner With a Built-In Dehumidifier

Due to the impact of heat waves, ideas for improving the installation and use of air conditioners are on the rise lately. Now, a project led by a former NASA engineer aims to combat humidity in homes.

The project. Helix Micra is a technology developed by Rawand Rasheed, a former NASA engineer. It includes a dehumidification system for air conditioners that’s more compact than traditional air conditioners, and its filters can be produced using 3D printing.

How is it different from traditional air conditioning? In regions where humidity is a problem during heat waves, finding more efficient solutions is a top priority. Traditional air conditioners consume a lot of energy and don’t effectively reduce humidity, causing the heat to return once the system is turned off. The Helix Micra prototype can effectively reduce humidity, leading consumers to rely less on air conditioning and significantly save on energy bills.

Are there any other similar projects? Progress toward optimizing air conditioners is an ongoing topic of study. In fact, there are various approaches to this optimization. First, solar air conditioners, like SolarCool, use solar energy to reduce electricity consumption. Similarly, geothermal air conditioning systems utilize the temperature of the subsoil to cool homes. Another approach involves using AI and IoT to program air conditioning systems, taking into account external factors.

Are there any air conditioners that use filters? Several companies use advanced filters to improve efficiency and air quality. Some utilize quadruple filters to eliminate allergens and enhance air quality, while others use easy-clean filters to optimize energy efficiency.

Is it just for cooling? Among the cooling systems is aerothermal energy, which is known for using its energy to heat homes. This system allows the use of the thermal energy of the air to produce both air conditioning and hot water.

Why is the new Helix Micra system more relevant? Although it’s not the only company dedicated to dehumidifying and reducing energy consumption, it has attracted attention because of its “space” origin and ability to adapt to existing systems. In addition, Helix Earth Technologies has received funding from institutions such as the Department of Energy and even NASA. Moreover, it’s recently been selected as one of the finalists of 2024’s Urban Future Prize.

Image | HVAC

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