The world is getting warmer, and air conditioning is becoming more important than ever. Also for those of us who are close to the North Pole.
They help us stay safe during heat waves and can even save lives. But the experts are clear: Relying solely on air conditioning is not a long-term solution.
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Instead, they believe that buildings need to be designed to stay cooler naturally – so that the need for air conditioning is reduced right from the start.
That’s the message of a new research review led by Professor Mat Santamouris from UNSW Sydney, published in Nature Reviews Clean Technology. The study looks at new ways to keep buildings cool, while drastically reducing electricity consumption.
Air conditioners are today among the largest electricity guzzlers in the world. Cooling accounts for almost 10 percent of global electricity consumption.
Every second, around ten new air conditioners are sold, and by 2050 there are expected to be close to 5.6 billion units for residential use worldwide.
Air conditioning creates new problems
Although air conditioners protect us during extreme heat, they also create new challenges. They consume huge amounts of electricity, which can overload the power grid during heat waves.
In many countries, electricity is still produced using fossil fuels, which means that more use of air conditioning also increases greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, air conditioners emit heat outdoors, making cities even hotter. This is called the “urban heat island” effect – the cities’ heat islands.
Buildings that cool themselves
Professor Santamouris emphasizes that air conditioning will continue to play an important role, especially during dangerous heat periods. But he believes that buildings should first and foremost be designed so that heat is kept out – so that the air conditioning systems do not have to work as hard.
One of the best ways to cool a building is through so-called passive cooling. That means using smart design and materials – not electricity – to lower the indoor temperature.
Examples include shading around buildings, reflective ceilings and walls, better natural ventilation, and special materials that send heat back into the atmosphere.
New technologies can reduce the need by 80 percent
The research review also highlights new technologies that can make passive cooling even more efficient: advanced cooling coatings, smart solar shading systems, materials that combine different cooling methods, and person-centric ventilation systems that direct cool air to where it’s actually needed.
According to the researchers, a combination of these techniques and good building design can reduce the need for air conditioning by as much as 80 percent in warm regions. This means less power consumption, lower energy costs and less strain on the power grid during extreme weather.
Safer societies – even when the power goes out
Passive cooling can also make communities safer. During power outages caused by storms or heat waves, buildings that stay naturally cool can better protect the people inside. This is especially important for the elderly, young children and people with health challenges – who are most vulnerable to extreme heat.
The researchers believe that the buildings of the future must be designed for the warmer climate that awaits us in the years to come – not for the climate we have had.
They also call on governments to strengthen building standards, support climate-friendly building design, and ensure that low-income families have access to affordable cooling solutions.
The solution: Combine – not replace
The researchers believe that the best solution is not to replace air conditioning, but to combine efficient cooling systems with smarter building design.
By keeping buildings naturally cooler, cities can become healthier, more comfortable, and better equipped for a warmer future – all while greatly reducing energy consumption.
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