Some office towers and buildings in New York have found a way to stay cool while keeping the AC to a minimum -- by using an energy-saving system that relies on blocks of ice to pump chilly air through buildings. This should help solve problems such as the recent power grid surcharges.

According to Associated Press, the systems save companies money and reduce strain on the electrical grid in New York, where the city consumes more power on hot summer days than the entire nation of Chile. It also cuts down on pollution. An ice-cooling system in the Credit Suisse offices at the historic Metropolitan Life tower in Manhattan, supplied by Trane and CALMAC, is as good for the environment as taking 223 cars off the streets or planting 1.9 million acres of trees to absorb the carbon dioxide caused by electrical usage for one year. Such a reduction in pollution is valuable in a city where the majority of emissions come from the operation of buildings. State officials say there are at least 3,000 ice-cooling systems worldwide.

"It is worth it to do in New York City," said William Beck, the head of critical engineering systems for Credit Suisse. "If you take the time to look, you can find innovative ways to be energy efficient, be environmental and sustainable." Because electricity is needed to make the ice, water is frozen in large silver tanks at night when power demands are low. The cool air emanating from the ice blocks is then piped throughout the building more or less like traditional air conditioning. At night the water is frozen again and the cycle repeats. Ice storage can be used as the sole cooling system, or it can be combined with traditional systems to help ease the power demands during peak hours. Credit Suisse is looking at installing the systems in offices around the globe, but nothing has been decided yet.