Jump to content

Air conditioning paradox

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An air conditioner

The air conditioning paradox arises from the usage of air conditioners to adapt to the effects of climate change, leading to higher energy consumption and heat generation as a byproduct, thereby exacerbating the problem.[1][2][3][4]

The paradox is particularly concerning in emerging economies. While air conditioning has become a symbol of modernity and comfort, its widespread adoption could significantly increase global carbon emissions, undermining efforts to limit global warming. Alternatives are currently being explored by governments and researchers, such as more energy-efficient systems, passive cooling techniques, and the development of low-GWP refrigerants. However, balancing the demand for cooling with the need to reduce carbon footprints remains a complex and pressing issue.[5][3][2]

History

[edit]
Main article: Air conditioning § First devices
Willis Carrier, who is credited with building the first modern electrical air conditioning unit

In 1901, American inventor Willis H. Carrier built what is considered the first modern electrical air conditioning unit.[6][7][8][9] In 1902, he installed his first air-conditioning system,[10] patented "air conditioning" in 1906,[11] and by 1914, the first domestic air conditioning was installed.[12] Innovations in the latter half of the 20th century allowed more ubiquitous air conditioner use. In 1945, Robert Sherman of Lynn, Massachusetts, invented a portable, in-window air conditioner that cooled, heated, humidified, dehumidified, and filtered the air.[13] The first inverter air conditioners were released in 1980–1981.[14][15]

In 2016, an estimated 1.6 billion air conditioning units were used worldwide, with a total cooling capacity of 11,675 gigawatts.[16][17] The International Energy Agency predicted that the number of air conditioning units would grow to around 4 billion units by 2050.[16]

Problem

[edit]

The problem mainly stems from the co-existence of cooling demand and the nature of the cooling systems worsening climate change.

Cooling demand

[edit]

In today's world, cooling is vital. A 2021 report estimated that around 345,000 people aged 65 and older died in 2019 from the heat, which is preventable with air conditioning. An estimated 190,000 heat-related deaths are averted annually owing to air conditioning.[3][4]

Cooling systems

[edit]

However, air conditioning is incredibly inefficient. The majority of active cooling systems are less than half as efficient as the most efficient ones, meaning heatwaves could lead to strained power grids, and in extreme cases, cause power outages, which could prove to be problematic as air conditioning can also affect how humans respond to heat, making humans more vulnerable to heat-related sicknesses and fatalities without artificial cooling.[3]

In addition, the energy source of air conditioners are likely to be non-renewable. Air conditioners contribute 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which amounts to twice as much as the aviation industry.[3]

The HFC coolants in air conditioners also contribute to climate change. Being listed as a high GWP material, this type of coolant can trap 150-5000 more heat than carbon dioxide if it escapes into the atmosphere.[3]

Air conditioning units also contribute to pollution as they are difficult to disassemble or repair. Separating metal and plastic at the end of a unit's life cycle is also costly and not practical, meaning units are frequently disposed of.[4]

Solutions

[edit]

The solution to the air conditioning paradox lies in meeting the demand for cooling while not contributing any more to climate change. Alternatives to conventional air conditioning are currently being explored by governments and researchers. Already, more passive cooling techniques have been utilized to solve this issue.

Natural solutions

[edit]
See also: Passive cooling

Natural solutions do not require energy for cooling purposes, and are therefore a very attractive solution. Many ways to achieve this have been explored.

The structure of a building can help dissipate heat. For example, in Zimbabwe, Eastgate Development cut its energy use by 90% by utilizing termite mound inspired structures.[2]

The Chicago City Hall's green roof

Coverage of windows can help reduce internal heat gain from sunlight. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that window awnings can lower internal heat gain from sunlight by up to 77%.[2]

The coating of roofs have also seen great success. In the United States, painting roofs white has been shown to lower roof temperatures by as much as 30°C. Meanwhile, in China, a project involving the installation of green roofs — roofs covered with vegetation — not only reduced the cooling demands of buildings, but also lowered the average land surface temperature in the area by 0.91°C.[2]

Planting trees can also help mitigate the heat island effect. A study in Europe discovered that tree cover can reduce land surface temperatures in cities by as much as 12°C during the summer. In the United States, another study found that when tree cover reaches 40%, ground-level temperatures were lowered by nearly 6°C.[2]

Renewable energy

[edit]

As renewable energy becomes cheaper[18] and more popular, the energy source of air conditioners is shifting towards more renewable energy sources.[2] This reduces the amount of carbon emissions resulting directly from generating electricity.

Low-GWP refrigerants

[edit]

The danger of high-GWP refrigerants, such as HFCs, escaping into the atmosphere and trapping heat can be mitigated through development of low-GWP refrigerants.[3]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Nugraha, Mochammad Suva; Fathir, Mirza; Azima, Tubagus Mulkan (March 25, 2024). "Air conditioner: A paradox" (PDF). EDP Sciences: 5.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "The air conditioning paradox: cooling our way to a warmer world | Lombard Odier". www.lombardodier.com. April 26, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Kusuma, Nazalea (July 10, 2024). "The Cooling Paradox: Sustainable cooling should not heat the planet even more Green Network Asia". Green Network Asia. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "The AC paradox". WUFT | News and public media for north central Florida. April 14, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  5. ^ "The Future of Cooling – Analysis". IEA. May 15, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  6. ^ Palermo, Elizabeth (May 1, 2014). "Who Invented Air Conditioning?". livescience.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  7. ^ Varrasi, John (June 6, 2011). "Global Cooling: The History of Air Conditioning". American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  8. ^ Simha, R. V. (February 2012). "Willis H Carrier". Resonance. 17 (2): 117–138. doi:10.1007/s12045-012-0014-y. ISSN 0971-8044. S2CID 116582893.
  9. ^ Gulledge III, Charles; Knight, Dennis (February 11, 2016). "Heating, Ventilating, Air-Conditioning, And Refrigerating Engineering". National Institute of Building Sciences. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021. Though he did not actually invent air-conditioning nor did he take the first documented scientific approach to applying it, Willis Carrier is credited with integrating the scientific method, engineering, and business of this developing technology and creating the industry we know today as air-conditioning.
  10. ^ "Willis Carrier – 1876–1902". Carrier Global. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  11. ^ Cramer, Stuart W. "Humidifying and air conditioning apparatus" U.S. Patent no. 852,823 (filed: April 18, 1906; issued: May 7, 1907).
    • See also: Cramer, Stuart W. (1906) "Recent development in air conditioning" in: Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Convention of the American Cotton Manufacturers Association Held at Asheville, North Carolina May 16–17, 1906. Charlotte, North Carolina, USA: Queen City Publishing Co. pp. 182-211.
  12. ^ Green, Amanda (January 1, 2015). "The Cool History of the Air Conditioner". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  13. ^ US patent US2433960A, Sherman, Robert S., "Air conditioning apparatus", published January 6, 1948, issued January 6, 1948 
  14. ^ "IEEE milestones (39) Inverter Air Conditioners, 1980–1981" (PDF). March 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "Inverter Air Conditioners, 1980–1981 IEEE Milestone Celebration Ceremony" (PDF). March 16, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  16. ^ a b The Future of Cooling - Opportunities for energy-efficient air conditioning (PDF) (Report). International Energy Agency. May 15, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  17. ^ Pierre-Louis, Kendra (May 15, 2018). "The World Wants Air-Conditioning. That Could Warm the World". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  18. ^ "Global renewable energy trends". Deloitte Insights. Retrieved June 6, 2025.


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Air_conditioning_paradox&oldid=1294582576"