tag:theconversation.com,2011:/uk/topics/air-conditioning-31176/articlesAir conditioning – The Conversation2024-03-06T19:14:53Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2247412024-03-06T19:14:53Z2024-03-06T19:14:53ZAustralian homes are getting bigger and bigger, and it’s wiping out gains in energy efficiency<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579779/original/file-20240305-24-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=7%2C14%2C4824%2C3180&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>New Australian homes are being designed bigger and so require more energy for heating and cooling, wiping out potential gains in energy efficiency, according to our <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2023.2301574">new research</a>. The increasing energy demand is inconsistent with global efforts to tackle climate change and suggests Australia’s housing energy policy requires a radical rethink.</p>
<p>For more than 20 years, Australia’s building energy regulations have <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-015-9336-4">focused on</a> energy efficiency. This reflects policy trends <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.007">around the world</a>. </p>
<p>In building regulations, energy efficiency is measured as the energy required to heat or cool one square metre of floorspace. Energy efficiency can be improved with features such as good orientation, insulation and double-glazing on windows. Homes designed to a higher energy efficiency standard do indeed <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.11.031">require less energy</a> for heating and cooling. </p>
<p>But what happens if we build a bigger house, or more houses: does energy efficiency policy still encourage less energy use in homes? Our research shows in Australia, the answer is no. A policy focus on energy efficiency has not led to falls in the predicted energy requirements for heating and cooling – either for individual homes or the new home sector as a whole. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="interior of large home" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Energy efficiency is measured according to the energy required to heat or cool one square metre of floorspace.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
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</figure>
<h2>Increasing floor areas</h2>
<p>Around the world, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2019.1709625">apartment living</a> is becoming more common. But detached homes remain the dominant housing type in many developed nations, including <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/snapshot-australia/latest-release">Australia</a>, the <a href="https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP1Y2022.DP04">United States</a> and <a href="https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810004101">Canada</a>. </p>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-019-0512-1">House size</a> differs markedly around the world, ranging from 9m² per person in India, to about 84m² per person in Australia. Globally, floor area per person is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-019-0512-1">increasing</a>. </p>
<p>Our <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2023.2301574">study</a> set out to examine the significance of this increase when it comes to home heating and cooling energy requirements in Australia. </p>
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<p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/future-home-havens-australians-likely-to-use-more-energy-to-stay-in-and-save-money-199672">Future home havens: Australians likely to use more energy to stay in and save money</a>
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<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="large double story home" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Detached homes remain the dominant housing type in many developed nations, including Australia.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
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<h2>What we found</h2>
<p>Our study involved more than 580,000 new homes in Australia designed between 2018 and 2022. </p>
<p>First, we looked at official dwelling <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/building-and-construction/building-approvals-australia/latest-release#data-downloads">approval data</a>. We then examined <a href="https://ahd.csiro.au/dashboards/energy-rating/states">certificates</a> issued under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme or NatHERS. This gave us the thermal performance star-ratings of the new homes, their energy efficiency for heating and cooling and their conditioned floor areas – that is, floor areas typically heated and cooled, excluding spaces such as laundries and garages. </p>
<p>From this, we calculated the predicted energy each home would require each year for heating and cooling. </p>
<p>We found a home designed in 2022 had a 7.6% larger conditioned floor area than a home designed in 2018. And a home designed in 2022 was predicted to require 10% more energy for heating and cooling than a home designed four years earlier. </p>
<p>This differed between jurisdictions. For example, predicted energy requirements for a new home in Western Australia fell by 11% over the period, while in Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory it increased by 17%.</p>
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<p>Collectively, we found the predicted energy requirement for heating and cooling of all new homes in Australia was 5.6% more in 2022 than in 2018. This figure ranged from a fall of 21% in the Northern Territory to an increase of 34% in South Australia. </p>
<p>These increases occurred despite 97.5% of new homes meeting the state-based minimum energy efficiency regulations.</p>
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<h2>Understanding the star-rating system</h2>
<p>Between 2018 and 2022, new homes had to be designed to a minimum 6-star energy rating under the NatHERs scheme. However, the policy is implemented by state-based regulations, which in some jurisdictions allows homes to be designed below 6-stars. </p>
<p>In the study period, 18% of new homes in Australia were designed to a 5-5.9 star rating, as permitted within the jurisdictions of Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales. In all other states and territories, the majority of new homes were designed at 6-star or above. </p>
<p>Nationally, just 11% of new homes were designed at a higher standard of 7-10 stars. This ranged from 35% in the Australian Capital Territory to just 5% of new homes in Victoria.</p>
<p>Improvements to Australia’s housing energy efficiency policy came into effect <a href="https://abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-state-and-territory-adoption-dates">in 2023</a>. However these do not directly address the impact of floor area on heating and cooling energy requirements, and state-based regulations remain inconsistent.</p>
<h2>Aussie homes are getting bigger</h2>
<p>Our analysis showed new Australian homes continue to get bigger. New homes in Victoria and NSW had the largest conditioned floor areas, while Tasmania had the smallest. </p>
<p>New homes with lower a star-rating tended to be bigger: the average 5-star home in NSW had more than double the conditioned floor area of the average 7-star home in Tasmania. </p>
<p>Larger homes also inherently require more materials to build than smaller homes – and these materials require energy to produce. However this concept, known as <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/materials/embodied-energy">embodied energy</a>, was beyond the scope of our study.</p>
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<h2>Time for a rethink</h2>
<p>Our research showed at a household, state and national scale, the emission reduction benefits of improving a home’s energy efficiency may be undermined if policy does not consider floor area. </p>
<p>Demand for new housing in Australia will continue to rise as the <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/content/World-Population-Prospects-2022">population grows</a>. So it’s even more important to ensure we get the settings right on home energy policy. Such an overhaul will be complex, involving building regulations, urban planning and social policies. </p>
<p>Renewable energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy used by new homes. However, to make our <a href="https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/the-energy-hierarchy-a-powerful-tool-for-sustainability">net-zero goals feasible</a>, achieving reductions in the energy required by each home is a crucial first step. </p>
<p>Work is also needed on how to encourage people to build smaller homes – a home <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2021.1926684">sufficient</a> for their needs, but no larger. Unless Australia <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/EOR-05-2023-0002">re-examines the scale</a> of its new homes, energy efficiency policy will fail to deliver genuine reductions in energy use.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/all-electric-homes-are-better-for-your-hip-pocket-and-the-planet-heres-how-governments-can-help-us-get-off-gas-207409">All-electric homes are better for your hip pocket and the planet. Here's how governments can help us get off gas</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224741/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Australia’s increasing energy demand is inconsistent with global efforts to tackle climate change and suggests our housing energy policy requires a radical rethink.Kate Wingrove, PhD Candidate at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, University of WollongongEmma Heffernan, Associate Professor in Architecture, University of SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2201302024-01-11T01:22:04Z2024-01-11T01:22:04ZHow do I use air conditioning efficiently? Is it better to blast it briefly throughout the day, or just leave it on?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566466/original/file-20231219-19-4ygs6p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C49%2C6594%2C3820&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/side-view-pleasant-young-woman-using-1809678175">fizkes/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Despite so many people having air conditioning at home now, many are still unsure how to use it efficiently. And air conditioning uses a lot of energy. For example, running all the lights in an average home all day and night consumes about the same energy as one hour of air conditioning of the same space. </p>
<p>Many people think they can save money and energy by just blasting the air conditioning at a very low temperature, such as 17°C, for a short period of time to chill the room – before switching it off and enjoying the chilled air until another blast is needed later on. But it requires a <em>lot</em> of energy to get a room to a very chilly temperature.</p>
<p>While running it briefly and intermittently at a very cool temperature may feel thrifty, it won’t be the most energy efficient choice. Here’s what to do instead.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-can-cut-your-energy-costs-by-up-to-90-its-not-magic-just-a-smart-use-of-the-laws-of-physics-185711">Heat pumps can cut your energy costs by up to 90%. It’s not magic, just a smart use of the laws of physics</a>
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<h2>Start by reducing how hot your home gets</h2>
<p>First, try to minimise the need for air conditioning. Look for ways to stop your house getting hot in the first place.</p>
<p>Heat can come in from outside through surfaces such as walls, windows, and ceilings. Hot air can creep in under doors or through open windows and vents. Appliances and people inside can also generate heat (although the heat impact of people is generally relatively small, unless there’s a large group).</p>
<p>To reduce some of this heat, you can:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>close blinds and windows before it starts getting hot</p></li>
<li><p>use draft stoppers around external doors to stop hot air wafting inside</p></li>
<li><p>plant trees (deciduous trees will let sunlight through in winter)</p></li>
<li><p>install external shading, particularly on north and western aspects of your house</p></li>
<li><p>improving ceiling and wall insulation, window glazing and sealing (if time and budget allow)</p></li>
<li><p>reduce use of the oven and cooktop on very hot days (more efficient appliances, however, reduce this heating effect and save energy).</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Rooftop solar systems provide a dual benefit of adding shade on the roof to stop heat coming in that way, as well as offsetting power usage.</p>
<p>If you’re in a double storey house, the lower level can be a few degrees cooler; it can help just to hang out downstairs on a very hot day. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/spare-a-thought-for-air-conditioning-repair-people-as-the-planet-warms-theyre-really-up-against-it-187143">Spare a thought for air-conditioning repair people. As the planet warms, they're really up against it</a>
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<h2>Set your air conditioning to the highest level that’s comfortable</h2>
<p>Turning our attention to the air conditioning unit itself, the most energy efficient action is to set the temperature to the highest value that’s still comfortable (26°C during the day and 22°C when sleeping is often recommended). Then, just let it run.</p>
<p>Modern units (that feature technology known as an “inverter”) will adjust their output efficiently to maintain the indoor temperature at the setting you’ve chosen.</p>
<p>Be careful, however; setting the temperature too low can result in the unit using more power than you think it’s using (based on star rating label).</p>
<p>Older non-inverter units will cycle on and off to maintain the temperature, and you will generally be able to hear and feel it going on and off. (The newer inverter units, by contrast, don’t tend to cycle on and off as much; they usually just stay on and continuously modulate their output). </p>
<p>For non-inverter units, in general, remaining on for much longer than it is off indicates the air conditioning is working very hard. This may suggest the unit is too small for the space you’re trying to cool, or that you just have a lot of heat in the house (are you cooking a roast?). It could also suggest a fault.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A man points his AC remote at the AC unit on the wall." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">It’d be better to close the blinds before you start thinking about using the air conditioner.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/man-remote-control-air-conditioner-creates-2161368775">Studio Romantic/Shutterstock</a></span>
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<h2>Ceiling fans and servicing can help</h2>
<p>Regardless of the type of air conditioning you have, for each 1°C the temperature is lowered, <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/energy/heating-and-cooling">energy use increases by 5 to 10%</a>. So it’s important not to over-cool. That’s why repeatedly blasting the air conditioning at a very low temperature over the course of the day isn’t wise. </p>
<p>Using ceiling fans along with air conditioning can make things feel cooler by <a href="https://www.nathers.gov.au/publications/validation-nathers-software-tropical-regions">2-3°C</a> due to the air movement, meaning you can set your air conditioning at a higher temperature. Fans use minimal power compared to air conditioning.</p>
<p>Clean the air filters regularly (your manual will explain how) and make sure air grills and vents are not blocked by furniture or, for outdoor units, by vegetation.</p>
<p>If parts of your outdoor units are heavily corroded or badly bent, the unit likely won’t work as well. Animals can cause damage to outdoor units but parts can often be easily replaced.</p>
<p>If your air conditioning doesn’t seem to work well, makes unusual sounds, or if fault codes show up on the display unit, get it serviced.</p>
<p>And if a cool change comes through, switch off the air conditioning and open as many windows and doors as possible to allow the breeze to flow through the house.</p>
<p>If you have a time-of-use electricity tariff (it’ll say on your electricity bill if you do), reducing use in the afternoon and early evening can save a lot. Energy prices can be double or more at these times.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A person turns on a ceiling fan." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Using fans along with AC can help cool the room more.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/electric-irony-ceiling-fan-woman-hand-1304819284">Semachkovsky/Shutterstock</a></span>
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<h2>An efficient unit can save you money in the long run</h2>
<p>When it comes time to replace your air conditioning, carefully consider the <a href="https://www.energyrating.gov.au">energy efficiency or star rating</a>.</p>
<p>The more stars the better; even a half star higher could more than pay for itself over the life of the unit (especially if you also use it in winter for heating).</p>
<p>Several state governments also have incentive schemes that can help cover the cost of upgrades or replacements.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/220130/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Mark Goldsworthy works for CSIRO, which researches air conditioning as well as performing Minimum Energy Performance Standards testing of air conditioning systems for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and providing the energy rating method used in the NatHERS residential building energy rating software. However, CSIRO is unlikely to receive any direct benefit from this article.
</span></em></p>While running it briefly and intermittently at a very low temperature may feel thrifty, it will not be the most energy efficient choice. Here’s what to do instead.Mark Goldsworthy, Senior Research Scientist, CSIROLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2196302023-12-12T16:31:54Z2023-12-12T16:31:54ZCOP28: countries have pledged to cut emissions from cooling – here’s how to make it happen<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/564931/original/file-20231211-17-z1vocg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C4500%2C2997&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/calcutta-india-june-10-2015-local-287040998">Saikat Paul/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Cast your eyes over the statistics in <a href="https://www.unep.org/resources/global-cooling-watch-2023">a new report</a> I helped author on staying cool in a warming climate and the urgency becomes clear: 1 billion people, mostly in Africa and Asia, are at high risk from extreme heat because they lack access to cooling, while a further 2.9 billion only have <a href="https://www.seforall.org/news/as-heatwaves-threaten-human-safety-latest-chilling-prospects-data-highlight-need-for-action-to">intermittent access</a>. As the climate crisis deepens, close to half of the world’s people have little defence against deadly heat.</p>
<p>Exposure to high temperatures is not just a health risk; research shows how excessive heat leads to <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/11/6/126">children struggling in class</a>, threatens women disproportionately (they often have less access to healthcare, are more likely to live in poverty and shoulder a heavier burden when it comes to domestic labour) and slashes working hours, particularly among outdoor workers. All of these effects make <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-demand-for-cooling-is-blind-sport-for-climate-and-sustainable-development/">sustainable development</a> harder. </p>
<p>At the same time, energy demand from cooling – by those who can afford it – could more than <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/space-cooling-2">double by 2050</a>. This demand, when met with electricity generated by burning fossil fuels, increases emissions in turn, exacerbating climate change.</p>
<p>It’s encouraging then that halfway through the COP28 climate talks in Dubai, 63 countries <a href="https://www.cop28.com/en/energy-and-industry/global-cooling-pledge">signed a pledge</a> to cut their emissions from cooling systems by 68% by 2050 (compared to 2022 levels). </p>
<p>This is the first international commitment to target emissions from air-conditioning and refrigeration for food and medicine. Signatories included several G20 countries, including the US and Canada, where nearly three-quarters of the potential for cutting cooling-related emissions by 2050 resides.</p>
<p>The pledge also asks for countries without adequate cooling access to receive provisions for sustainable means of staying cool. Our report highlights how countries that lack access to adequate cooling need help to meet the upfront costs of cooling equipment and energy grid improvements, among other measures.</p>
<p>My research focuses on cooling and sustainable development, so the pledge felt like an important moment. Cooling is now firmly on the global agenda. But the hard work must begin to ensure everyone can stay cool without further heating the planet.</p>
<p>As the report explains, there are three ways to do this: expand access to passive cooling methods, raise energy efficiency standards and phase out climate-warming refrigerants.</p>
<p>Policies supporting these three goals are urgently needed to accelerate the transition from fossil-based cooling. Many countries have cooling policies, such as minimum energy standards, but few are integrated into climate and development plans.</p>
<p>People who live in cooler climates are not off the hook either. <a href="https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/future-of-cooling/">Research</a> by my colleagues and I has shown how countries like the <a href="https://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/news/switzerland-uk-and-norway-dangerously-unprepared-keep-people-cool-if-global-15oc-target-missed">UK, Norway and Switzerland</a> face a tremendous challenge in adapting to higher temperatures because their towns and cities are designed to keep heat in.</p>
<h2>A three-step solution</h2>
<p>Passive cooling refers to means of keeping cool that do not <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-make-homes-cooler-without-cranking-up-the-air-conditioning-207243">consume energy</a> from electricity. These range from simple measures like planting trees outside buildings to absorb sunlight, to architectural designs that allow natural ventilation, shading and cool spaces. </p>
<p>To ensure these measures are taken up, countries should embed passive cooling measures in building and energy regulations to reduce cooling demand in buildings and in the “cold chain” (the temperature-controlled supply chain that is vital to the global supply of food and medicines).</p>
<p>If successful, passive cooling measures could curb the demand for cooling by 24% by 2050, saving US$3 trillion (£2.4 trillion) and negating greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1.3 billion tons of CO₂.</p>
<p>Next should come higher energy efficiency standards for cooling equipment such as air conditioners. This would not require new technology, but rather, improving existing ones with better labelling systems and regularly updated minimum performance standards across countries. </p>
<p>Get this right and we could triple the global average efficiency of cooling equipment in 2050 from today’s levels while significantly lowering household energy bills.</p>
<p>Finally, the world must cut back on hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs. These gases can be found in most air conditioners and refrigerators. Despite their relatively short lifespan which is usually less than 20 years, HFCs have an outsized impact on warming the climate that is many times greater than the equivalent amount of CO₂.</p>
<p>The world committed to phasing out these gases in 2016 through the Kigali amendment to the Montreal protocol. We must go further by encouraging the rapid uptake of better technologies and <a href="https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/fluorinated-greenhouse-gases/climate-friendly-alternatives-hfcs_en">refrigerants</a> with lower global warming potential.</p>
<p>Extreme heat is rising in its intensity, frequency and duration, making cooling integral to the wellbeing of people in every corner of the world. Simple measures can quickly reduce our impact on the climate (and reduce the projected 2050 emissions from business-as-usual cooling by over 60%), while also reaping multiple socio-economic benefits. </p>
<p>But to realise this optimistic future, governments across the world must now demonstrate their commitment with action.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Radhika Khosla does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>In the first commitment of its kind, 63 countries promised to slash emissions from cooling and refrigeration.Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor, Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of OxfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2144832023-11-21T23:00:55Z2023-11-21T23:00:55ZToo many renters swelter through summer. Efficient cooling should be the law for rental homes<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/557058/original/file-20231101-27-vhqfht.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=12%2C0%2C7994%2C5329&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/senior-man-suffering-extreme-hot-record-2179499647">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Summer is coming – and it’s <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/uploads/00ca18a19ff194252940f7e3c58da254.pdf">starting earlier</a>, <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environmental-impacts/climate-change/state-of-the-climate/australias-changing-climate">becoming hotter</a> and <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/australian-summer-now-over-one-month-longer/">lasting longer</a>. As the hot weather hits, many renters will be sweltering in their homes. </p>
<p>The World Health Organization recommends a <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-heat-and-health">list of actions</a> for people to deal with heat. At the top of the list is “keep your home cool”. But for many renters, this isn’t possible. </p>
<p>In recent years, <a href="https://cur.org.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/heatwaves-homes-and-health-rmit_full-report.pdf">Australian</a> <a href="https://www.betterrenting.org.au/renter_researchers_summer_23">research</a> <a href="https://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Heat-Survey-Report_20230228.pdf">reports</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/feb/01/my-apartment-is-literally-baking-calls-for-minimum-standards-to-keep-australias-rental-homes-cool">news</a> <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-22/perth-heatwave-leaves-renters-sweltering/100773520">articles</a> have emphasised the physical and mental impacts of extreme heat on people living in private and social rental housing. Tenant advocacy group Better Renting’s “<a href="https://www.betterrenting.org.au/renter_researchers_summer_23">Sweaty and Stressed</a>” report, for example, although based on a fairly small sample, found temperatures in rental properties across Australia last summer were above 25°C for 45% of the time (and much more often in some states). </p>
<iframe title="Proportion of time spent in different
temperature ranges" aria-label="Stacked Columns" id="datawrapper-chart-al1NS" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/al1NS/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border: none;" width="100%" height="410" data-external="1"></iframe>
<p>These reports generally find three potential problems:</p>
<ul>
<li>rental properties lack fans or air conditioners</li>
<li>renters who have cooling appliances don’t use them due to the cost</li>
<li>some homes can’t be kept at an acceptable temperature even when using cooling appliances. </li>
</ul>
<p>Poor housing quality, such as lack of insulation, also affects home owners, especially those on low incomes. However, renters are usually less able to modify their homes. </p>
<p>The clear <a href="https://theconversation.com/extreme-weather-is-landing-more-australians-in-hospital-and-heat-is-the-biggest-culprit-216440">evidence of the harm</a> resulting from living in hot homes points to the need to make effective cooling <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-8462.12518">mandatory in rental housing</a>.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/extreme-weather-is-landing-more-australians-in-hospital-and-heat-is-the-biggest-culprit-216440">Extreme weather is landing more Australians in hospital – and heat is the biggest culprit</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Governments have done little to help</h2>
<p>Despite tenant advocates’ work on this issue, governments have done little to protect renters from the heat. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/repairs-alterations-safety-and-pets/minimum-standards/minimum-standards-for-rental-properties">Victoria</a> and <a href="https://www.cbos.tas.gov.au/topics/housing/renting/beginning-tenancy/minimum-standards/types">Tasmania</a> have minimum rental standards relating to heating, but not cooling. No state or territory makes cooling mandatory in rental properties. The <a href="https://www.justice.act.gov.au/renting-and-occupancy-laws/energy-efficiency-standards-for-rental-homes">ACT</a> comes closest with minimum standards for energy-efficient ceiling insulation. </p>
<p>The National Cabinet agreement in August, <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/meeting-national-cabinet-working-together-deliver-better-housing-outcomes">A Better Deal for Renters</a>, did not specifically mention minimum standards on cooling. </p>
<p>The lack of action perpetuates the idea that energy-efficient cooling is simply a matter of comfort. But hot homes have extensive health and wellbeing implications, so it’s a matter of the right to <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19491247.2023.2204650">healthy housing</a>. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/no-back-door-for-5-years-remote-communitys-high-court-win-is-good-news-for-renters-everywhere-216821">No back door for 5 years: remote community's High Court win is good news for renters everywhere</a>
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</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Excessive heat harms people</h2>
<p>The impacts of heat go beyond feeling tired, irritated and sweaty. Hot conditions <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2015.00372/full">affect cognitive function</a>. </p>
<p>For example, a <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002605">study of university students</a> exposed to extreme heat found those living in air-conditioned rooms had better memory, attention and thinking speed than those in non-air-conditioned rooms. This finding highlights how heat can reduce learning ability and productivity. </p>
<p>Excessive heat can also affect mental wellbeing and hormonal mood control. The results include heightened aggression and stress and decreased happiness and motivation. </p>
<p>Heat affects quality of sleep, too. That’s bad for people’s health, with effects such as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3427038/">obesity and poorer quality of life</a>. </p>
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<h2>The impacts are unequal</h2>
<p>Renters’ unequal access to cooling in their homes perpetuates health disparities between both individuals and socioeconomic groups. </p>
<p>The health impacts of heat exposure are particularly bad for <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421511006926?via%3Dihub">susceptible groups</a>. For example, older people and children have less ability to regulate body temperature and cope with heat. And conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney diseases and respiratory diseases such as asthma can hamper the ability to control body temperature. </p>
<p>Heat also worsens mental illnesses, causing <a href="https://www.bcm.edu/news/excessive-heat-and-its-impact-on-mental-health#:%7E:text=Heat%20alters%20those%20behaviors%20because,levels%20of%20stress%20and%20fatigue.">higher rates</a> of anxiety and depressive episodes. Lifestyle behaviours such as <a href="https://www.bcm.edu/news/excessive-heat-and-its-impact-on-mental-health#:%7E:text=Heat%20alters%20those%20behaviors%20because,levels%20of%20stress%20and%20fatigue.">substance abuse</a>, particularly of alcohol, increase vulnerability to heat and dehydration. </p>
<p>People on low incomes are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2023/oct/29/silent-killer-more-than-half-of-heatwave-deaths-are-in-disadvantaged-areas-now-australian-councils-are-fighting-back">more likely to live</a> in poor-quality rental housing that gets too hot. As well as restrictions on the cooling systems they can install, they are least able to afford air conditioning. This puts them at a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4264980/">higher risk</a> of illness or even death.</p>
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<h2>What are the solutions?</h2>
<p>Given there are three main problems – lack of cooling appliances, cost of cooling appliances, and poor home design and ineffective insulation – we need multiple solutions. </p>
<p>In the short term, rental standards should be reformed to include cooling appliances. In <a href="https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/repairs-alterations-safety-and-pets/minimum-standards/minimum-standards-for-rental-properties">Victoria</a>, for example, rental homes must have fixed heaters that meet energy-efficiency standards. Similar standards for cooling are needed (as the Greens have <a href="https://www.samantharatnam.org.au/renters_rights_cooling">advocated</a>). </p>
<p>In parallel, there are longer-term solutions that minimise the need for cooling devices such as air conditioning. Their use contributes to climate change (if not powered by 100% renewable energy). </p>
<p>One of these is setting <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-cooling#:%7E:text=With%20passive%20cooling%2C%20building%20envelopes,to%20local%20climate%20and%20site">passive building design</a> standards. Building design, placement and materials can help control temperature by reducing heat gain (using insulation, shade, windows and so on) and increasing cooling methods such as air flow. </p>
<p>Such design standards would create homes that use less energy to cool. In France, for example, <a href="https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/why-apartments-are-failing-the-heat-stress-test">“summer comfort” standards</a> dictate that buildings must be a comfortable temperature even without air conditioning. </p>
<p>While these standards could be applied to new home designs, older properties would have to be retrofitted. <a href="https://theconversation.com/ive-never-actually-met-them-what-will-motivate-landlords-to-fix-cold-and-costly-homes-for-renters-188827">Research</a> has found that motivating landlords to undertake retrofitting is difficult. It requires a form of enforceable minimum standards. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/ive-never-actually-met-them-what-will-motivate-landlords-to-fix-cold-and-costly-homes-for-renters-188827">'I've never actually met them': what will motivate landlords to fix cold and costly homes for renters?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The local environment in which houses are built also plays a role. Greenery is a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209526352100100X">nature-based solution</a> to cool urban areas. Trees around a house can provide direct cooling shade.</p>
<p>In summary, we need to provide renters with access to fans and air conditioners so they don’t keep suffering in the heat. We must also enhance our housing stock so we don’t depend on these appliances to keep cool in a more environmentally sustainable future. </p>
<h2>Make it a national priority</h2>
<p>The number of renters in Australia is <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/328">likely to rise</a> as home ownership falls further out of reach. Temperatures are rising too. </p>
<iframe title="Percentage of households that rent, by household reference person's age" aria-label="Grouped Columns" id="datawrapper-chart-JrVGK" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/JrVGK/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border: none;" width="100%" height="400" data-external="1"></iframe>
<p>At the same time, the home environment is becoming more important. Australians spend a <a href="https://www.health.vic.gov.au/your-health-report-of-the-chief-health-officer-victoria-2018/environmental-health/healthy-indoor">lot of time indoors</a>, including working from home. </p>
<p>Ensuring <em>everyone</em> has housing that can keep them cool should be a national housing policy priority. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-5-key-tenancy-reforms-are-affecting-renters-and-landlords-around-australia-187779">How 5 key tenancy reforms are affecting renters and landlords around Australia</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214483/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Zoe Goodall has previously received funding from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) and the Victorian Government.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sungkavi Selvakumaran receives funding from the Swinburne University Postgraduate Research Award (SUPRA) scholarship. Sungkavi was formerly employed in the Victorian Department of Health. </span></em></p>More Australians than ever live in rented homes, many of which get far too hot. With summers getting longer and hotter, keeping millions of people cool should be a national housing policy priority.Zoe Goodall, Research Associate, Centre for Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of TechnologySungkavi Selvakumaran, PhD Candidate, Swinburne University, and Lecturer in Public Health, Torrens University AustraliaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2125152023-09-07T12:22:32Z2023-09-07T12:22:32ZHeat pumps will cool your home during the hottest of summers and reduce your global warming impact<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/545842/original/file-20230831-21-j48r02.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C5499%2C4116&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Compare cooling efficiency ratings before buying a home heat pump.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/heat-pumps-outside-the-house-royalty-free-image/1408849134?phrase=home+heat+pumps&adppopup=true">adventtr/iStock via Getty Images Plus</a></span></figcaption></figure><p><em>Heat pumps can be used to both cool and heat homes. The 2022 federal <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/cleanenergy/inflation-reduction-act-guidebook/">Inflation Reduction Act</a> provides <a href="https://www.hvac.com/expert-advice/inflation-reduction-act-heat-pump-rebates/">financial incentives for installing one</a>. SciLine interviewed <a href="https://wcec.ucdavis.edu/person/theresa-pistochini/">Theresa Pistochini</a> of the <a href="https://energy.ucdavis.edu/">Energy Efficiency Institute</a> and <a href="https://wcec.ucdavis.edu/">Western Cooling Efficiency Center</a> at the University of California, Davis. She describes how home heat pumps work; how switching to a heat pump reduces your home’s environmental impact; and when to upgrade your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.</em> </p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">Theresa Pistochini discusses how home heat pumps affect indoor air quality.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>Below are some highlights from the discussion. Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.</em></p>
<p><strong>What is a home heat pump, and how does it work?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> This decades-old technology is similar to an air conditioner, but a <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump-systems#:%7E">home heat pump</a> also contains a reversing valve that switches the direction the refrigerant flows when you want heating instead of air conditioning. </p>
<p>In heating mode, the refrigerant absorbs heat from outside and pumps it inside a building using a compressor. In air conditioning mode, the refrigerant absorbs the heat inside a building and pumps it outside.</p>
<p>The building can be heated and cooled with the same piece of equipment by switching the mode its operating in.</p>
<p><strong>How efficient are heat pumps at heating homes?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> Efficiency varies depending on the temperature that you’re pumping against. </p>
<p>Let’s talk about a gas furnace for a minute. It’s burning fuel at your home, and it’s turning that fuel into heat. Furnaces are around <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/gas-furnaces/buying-guide/">80% to 96% efficient</a>.</p>
<p>A heat pump can be <a href="https://green-energy-efficient-homes.com/heat-pump-efficiency.html">more than 100% efficient</a> because it is not generating heat but just moving it from one place to another. This means heat pumps, depending on outdoor conditions and on the heat pump design, can be anywhere from 200% to 400% efficient. This means the system moves more heat than the energy required to operate the system. For example, an efficiency of 200% means that two units of heat are moved from outdoors to indoors for every one unit of electricity used.</p>
<p><strong>Are heat pumps more efficient than air conditioners at cooling homes?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> They should be comparable. You can compare cooling efficiency ratings when you buy a heat pump. What’s important to know is that air conditioning efficiency has improved over the last couple of decades. So if you’re replacing an older air conditioner with a brand new heat pump, you would expect <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=40232">a pretty big jump in efficiency</a> and a lot of savings on your cooling bills.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="An engineer wearing a hard hat and bright green safety vest inspects a wind turbine." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">The use of renewables to generate electricity is on the rise.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/middle-aged-engineer-using-digital-laptop-for-royalty-free-image/1311918724?phrase=electrical+generating+plant&adppopup=true">Suriyapong Thongsawang/Moment via Getty Images</a></span>
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<p><strong>How does switching to a heat pump affect a home’s global warming impact?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> When a homeowner burns natural gas or some sort of fossil fuel at home, they create emissions on site, mainly carbon dioxide. These emissions escape to the atmosphere, and that has global warming potential. </p>
<p>A heat pump uses electricity – there are no on-site emissions. But it’s important to ask how was that electricity created, and what was the global warming impact associated with that? That’s changing rapidly as the way we generate electricity is evolving with the <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=56760">increase of renewables on the grid</a>.</p>
<p>That said, based on an <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.112813">analysis we did here</a> at the Western Cooling Efficiency Center, buying a heat pump today will reduce global warming impact in almost all geographical locations – basically everywhere – except maybe in the very coldest climates. And those improvements will only increase with time because the generation of electricity will continue to get cleaner. </p>
<p><strong>Are there other reasons to switch to a heat pump?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> Natural gas furnaces are fairly clean burning, and those emissions are generated outside. But there is some evidence that we get some <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b03217">methane leakage inside our homes</a> from natural gas appliances. And so there are expected to be some indoor air quality benefits from switching to all electric appliances. </p>
<p><strong>Why should people care about indoor air quality, and how can they improve it?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> People spend 85% to 90% of their time indoors. We have to be concerned about what we’re breathing. And there’s increasing evidence that the more particulate matter we breathe, the more impacts <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pmcourse/particle-pollution-and-respiratory-effects#:%7E">on our respiratory health and life span</a>. This is essentially an opportunity to create a safer environment in our home. </p>
<p>Indoor <a href="https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality">sources of air pollution</a> are varied. Cooking can be a source, particularly without appropriate ventilation like an exhaust hood or open windows. Also burning things, like candles or incense, or any type of scented products – if you can smell a scent, those scents are created by chemicals. Cleaning products can also release chemicals inside. Smoking is hazardous to your health in general, but smoking indoors also pollutes the air for other occupants – and that includes <a href="https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040119-094043">the use of e-cigarettes</a>.</p>
<p>When the outdoor air quality is poor, you should close windows and weatherproof, and then try to clean the indoor environment through filtration. Portable air cleaners are really great at this because they can <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7027e1.htm#:%7E">remove particles that infiltrate from outdoors</a>, and they can also remove particles we generate indoors, like from cooking. Any particle you capture in a filter is a particle that doesn’t deposit inside your lungs. </p>
<p><strong>What else should people know when thinking about upgrading their heating, ventilation and air conditioning system?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> If your system <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sponsor-story/service-experts/2019/05/07/5-signs-say-its-time-replace-your-homes-hvac-system/3586227002/">is more than 15 years old</a> – and definitely if it’s more than 20 years old – start thinking during a non-busy time, like spring or fall, about getting some bids to replace your system and see what options are available to you. That way, you’re ahead of the curve and not having to make a rush decision.</p>
<p><em>Watch the <a href="https://www.sciline.org/tech/heat-pumps-air-quality/">full interview</a> to hear more.</em></p>
<p><em><a href="https://www.sciline.org/">SciLine</a> is a free service based at the nonprofit American Association for the Advancement of Science that helps journalists include scientific evidence and experts in their news stories.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212515/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Theresa Pistochini has received funding from the following entities in the prior five years: California Air Resources Board, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Philanthropic Trust, California Energy Commission, Trane Technologies, RMS Energy Consulting, Des Champs Technologies LLC, Daikin U.S. Corporation, Arbnco, and the Western Cooling Efficiency Center’s Affiliate Program. She is affiliated with the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers. </span></em></p>Heat pumps can be 400% more efficient than a gas furnace.Theresa Pistochini, PhD Candidate, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Davis, University of California, DavisLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2115712023-09-05T21:45:34Z2023-09-05T21:45:34ZNew research may point the way towards frost-free heat pumps<p>A chilly winter morning, the car windshield shrouded in a thick layer of frost. Who has not experienced the frustration of scraping ice or waiting for the defroster to work? It is a daily winter struggle, but what if this frost issue extends far beyond your car, into your very home? Welcome to the hidden battle with frost in our energy systems.</p>
<p>Frost forms when humid air comes into contact with freezing cold surfaces. The colder the surface and the more humid the air is, the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110219">more likely</a> frost will form on the surface.</p>
<p>In buildings, frosting is a problem that impacts several systems, including heat pumps that keep indoor spaces warm. Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are working to eliminate this chilly scenario by creating frost-resistant heat pumps.</p>
<h2>Current challenges</h2>
<p>Frost poses <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112387">serious challenges</a> to the functionality of heat pumps. The frost layer acts as an insulator, reducing the <a href="https://publications.ibpsa.org/conference/paper/?id=usim2022_p108">heat transfer capability</a>, which <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/en14185737">increases energy use</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/en14092646">negatively impacts the comfort of users</a>. Frost also blocks air passages, and a severe frost buildup can even <a href="http://cchrc.org/media/ASHP_SE_Report.pdf">damage or destroy the system</a>. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings/heat-pumps">Heat pumps</a> <a href="https://www.iea.org/energy-system/electricity/electrification">electrify</a> <a href="https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings/heating">heating</a> and play a pivotal role in our quest for energy efficiency and eco-friendliness, owing to their relatively high efficiencies. Acting as devices that transfer heat from one place to another, they are promising solutions for the <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-heat-pumps">future of heating</a>. With the potential to cut down <a href="https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings">energy consumption and emissions</a>, improving heat pumps is crucial in our eco-conscious world.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-can-cut-your-energy-costs-by-up-to-90-its-not-magic-just-a-smart-use-of-the-laws-of-physics-185711">Heat pumps can cut your energy costs by up to 90%. It’s not magic, just a smart use of the laws of physics</a>
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<p>To tackle frosting, commercial heat pumps usually go into <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.12.022">recurrent defrosting cycles</a>, during which heating is not accessible. Therefore, most heat pumps in cold climates are installed with <a href="http://cchrc.org/media/ASHP_SE_Report.pdf">backup fuel-burning or electric heating systems</a>. Several <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2023.2199329">optimization techniques</a> have been suggested for the defrosting cycles to become more effective.</p>
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<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-vU9x3dFMrU?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">An overview of the basic principle of a heat pump system produced by This Old House.</span></figcaption>
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<p>Given <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2019.03.002">the challenges</a> of removing frost from heat pumps, the prospect of creating frost-free systems becomes increasingly appealing. However, preventing frost without consuming excessive energy is a complex task, filled with intricate technical hurdles.</p>
<h2>Ongoing research</h2>
<p>A major part of the ongoing endeavours to develop frost-free heat pumps has roots in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.10.038">research into frost-free energy exchangers</a>. The outdoor unit of a heat pump system is a heat exchanger. It facilitates heat transfer from outdoor air to the refrigerant fluid running through the coils. </p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/do-heat-pumps-work-in-the-uks-climate-an-expert-answers-your-low-carbon-heating-questions-211150">Do heat pumps work in the UK's climate? An expert answers your low-carbon heating questions</a>
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<p>If heat exchangers prevent condensation, they can <a href="https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4041557">reduce the risk of frosting</a>. This is what membrane energy exchangers do by removing moisture and preventing air saturation.</p>
<p>Future heat pumps can benefit from membrane energy exchangers that use <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2016026042A1">liquid working fluids</a>. The membrane energy exchanger would replace the traditional finned tubes in heat pump outdoor units and make them frost-resistant.</p>
<p>Using membranes to develop frost-free solutions for heat pumps is not without its challenges. We need to address several issues regarding membrane energy exchangers. Finding commercial membranes and non-corrosive <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.119853">liquids</a> suitable for the application are two examples. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2016.04.009">Frost detection</a> is another challenge in membrane energy exchangers. </p>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2018.12.116">Properties</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2021.121912">behaviour</a> and the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4041185">triggering conditions</a> of frosting have already been investigated. Ongoing research by my team at the University of Saskatchewan is now trying to identify ideal membrane characteristics and design factors for the application.</p>
<h2>Shaping a sustainable future</h2>
<p>Future frost-resistant heat pumps will dramatically enhance energy efficiency, <a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-can-cut-your-energy-costs-by-up-to-90-its-not-magic-just-a-smart-use-of-the-laws-of-physics-185711">slash household bills</a> and take a significant step toward a more sustainable future. Scientists are contributing to the technological advancements required to realize this futuristic concept. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-heating-your-home-fuels-climate-change-and-why-government-measures-are-failing-to-stop-it-208518">How heating your home fuels climate change – and why government measures are failing to stop it</a>
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<p>These advancements are not just about the science; they symbolize a transformation in our everyday lives, making winter days more convenient and our homes and buildings more environmentally friendly at the same time.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211571/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Amirreza Mahmoudi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Heat pumps are essential for the large-scale adoption of more carbon friendly heating systems and recent research suggests a way forward for reducing one of the technology’s biggest hurdles — frost.Amirreza Mahmoudi, PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, University of SaskatchewanLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2113132023-08-18T10:29:08Z2023-08-18T10:29:08ZRising temperatures mean more air conditioning which means more electricity is needed – rooftop solar is a perfect fit<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543032/original/file-20230816-17-3jotxt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C7%2C5215%2C2919&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Douglas Cliff / shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>On June 12 this year, the UK’s last remaining coal-fired power station was awoken from a 46-day slumber to meet demand for electricity to run air-conditioning units.</p>
<p>These were <a href="https://www.energymonitor.ai/sectors/heating-cooling/uk-air-conditioning-demand-prompts-government-to-rekindle-coal/">rare circumstances</a> as hot weather across the country combined with low wind, a nuclear power station under maintenance and a faulty electricity interconnector with Norway. But the weather is only going to get hotter, and the incident has shed light on the vital role that rooftop solar systems should play in our future energy system.</p>
<p>The absurdity of <a href="https://www.energymonitor.ai/sectors/heating-cooling/uk-air-conditioning-demand-prompts-government-to-rekindle-coal/">resorting to coal to power air conditioners</a> during a UK summer is difficult to miss. This is particularly so given rooftop solar systems are uniquely positioned to meet this demand as high summer temperatures coincide with lots of sunshine. They can also help to shade buildings, effectively reducing demand for cooling and lowering energy consumption.</p>
<p>Cooling demand is not limited to air conditioning and can involve many other energy-intensive processes in homes, supermarkets, offices, hospitals, factories and so on. Up and down the country, motors are driving compressors that are used for cooling fridges, freezers, data centres, food processing industries, water coolers, among many others.</p>
<p>This equipment will operate more intensely as air temperatures rise. According to UK <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1019896/cooling-in-uk.pdf">government estimates</a>, peak cooling demand during a heat wave can be twice as high as an average summer day. </p>
<h2>Cooling benefits of rooftop solar panels</h2>
<p>Rooftop solar can also reduce demand for cooling by keeping buildings in the shade. A <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339385282_Effects_of_Rooftop_Photovoltaics_on_Building_Cooling_Demand_and_Sensible_Heat_Flux_Into_the_Environment_for_an_Installation_on_a_White_Roof">study</a> conducted by Arizona State University found that even a modest group of solar panels that shade about half a roof can lead to anything from 2% to 13% reduction in cooling demand, depending on factors such as location, roof type and insulation levels. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543243/original/file-20230817-25-6c4ix9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="3D map of city" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543243/original/file-20230817-25-6c4ix9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543243/original/file-20230817-25-6c4ix9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543243/original/file-20230817-25-6c4ix9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543243/original/file-20230817-25-6c4ix9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543243/original/file-20230817-25-6c4ix9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543243/original/file-20230817-25-6c4ix9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543243/original/file-20230817-25-6c4ix9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Google Earth’s 3D mapping of Nottingham.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Google Earth</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span>
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<p>Although rooftop solar is being installed <a href="https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/249617/96214796274239244">faster than ever</a> in the UK, it is still greatly under-used and only on roughly one in 30 buildings. The recent 3D mapping of whole towns and cities means it has become possible to estimate the potential more accurately. Tools such as <a href="https://insights.sustainability.google/">Google Environmental Insights</a> analyse satellite imagery not only to see how many modules might be installed across our city skylines, but where they should be installed in order to minimise shading and generate the most electricity.</p>
<p>Consider the possibilities for Nottingham and Coventry, two cities in England’s Midlands where we work. If Nottingham were to maximise its rooftop potential, all those panels could generate nearly 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity, about the same as a medium-sized gas power plant. Coventry has greater potential, with 700MW. These capacities would equate to nearly one-third of Nottingham’s electricity demand and almost half of Coventry’s – from their rooftops alone.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543244/original/file-20230817-17-pxmwpx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="shaded satellite image of city" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543244/original/file-20230817-17-pxmwpx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543244/original/file-20230817-17-pxmwpx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=497&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543244/original/file-20230817-17-pxmwpx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=497&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543244/original/file-20230817-17-pxmwpx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=497&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543244/original/file-20230817-17-pxmwpx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=625&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543244/original/file-20230817-17-pxmwpx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=625&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543244/original/file-20230817-17-pxmwpx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=625&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Google Environmental Insight’s solar PV calculation for Nottingham.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://insights.sustainability.google/">Google Environmental Insight</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span>
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<p>With the planet experiencing its hottest temperature in <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-it-really-hotter-now-than-any-time-in-100-000-years-210126">around 120,000 years</a>, keeping buildings cool will be vital. For now, cooling demand is predominantly driven by non-domestic buildings, but <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1019896/cooling-in-uk.pdf">projections</a> indicate that by the end of the century around 80% may come from homes.</p>
<p>This makes things awkward, as domestic air-conditioners tend to be used most in the evenings when people return after work or school – not during the day when the sun is shining. Researchers in Australia have proposed a <a href="https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2022/08/29/researchers-explore-rooftop-pv-for-pre-cooling-of-residential-commercial-buildings/">clever solution</a> to address this imbalance by programming air-conditioning units to work in tandem with solar systems to pre-cool buildings before people arrive home.</p>
<p>In the face of evolving climate challenges, the pivotal role of solar systems in addressing summer cooling demand and enhancing climate resilience is becoming evermore evident. While an unusual reliance on coal-fired power for air conditioning underscored this urgency in June, an interesting observation emerged the following month: despite July being cool, cloudy and rainy, solar panels still contributed around 8% of UK electricity demand. This surpassed the value for July 2022, despite that summer’s record-breaking temperatures. </p>
<p>What had happened? Though solar panel generation was down 7% this July, overall electricity demand decreased by 15%, in part due to a substantially reduced demand for cooling. The link between the two is very clear.</p>
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<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The sunniest days also see the biggest demand for air con.Tom Rogers, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Energy Engineering, Nottingham Trent UniversityAmin Al-Habaibeh, Professor of Intelligent Engineering Systems, Nottingham Trent UniversityAngelines Donastorg Sosa, Assistant Lecturer in Renewable Energy & Energy Management, Coventry UniversityVahid Vahidinasab, Associate Professor of Power and Energy Systems, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2105532023-08-02T12:31:19Z2023-08-02T12:31:19ZWhy older homes feel warmer than the thermostat suggests – and what to do about it<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540544/original/file-20230801-27-rosc0m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=1012%2C0%2C5196%2C3554&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The temperature you feel on a hot, sunny day doesn't always match the thermostat.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/little-boy-looking-at-a-fan-royalty-free-image/1157634115">Catherine Falls Commercial/Moment via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Picture two homes on the same street: one constructed in the 1950s and the other in the 1990s. There are no trees or other shade. The air conditioning units are identical, recently replaced, and operating perfectly. Identical thermostats are set at 82 degrees Fahrenheit (27.8 Celsius).</p>
<p>When it’s 110 F (43.3 C) outside, the 1950s house will likely feel at least 10 F (5.6 C) warmer inside, even with the same air temperature. </p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>The answer has to do with radiant heat. Radiant heat is what keeps you toasty warm at a campfire on a cold winter night. The fire doesn’t warm the air much; rather, like the Sun, most of the fire’s heat moves through invisible waves directly from the campfire to your body.</p>
<p>In the radiant heat of the Arizona sun, the surface temperature of the uninsulated post-and-beam ceilings in my house, one of <a href="https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/sharedassets/public/city-services/planning-development-services/historic-preservation/documents/text_-_tucson_post_wwii_residential_subdivision_development.pdf">41,000 built</a> in Tucson during the post-World War II era, can reach over 100 F (37.8 C). The single-glazed steel windows register 122 F (50 C), and the uninsulated concrete block walls aren’t much cooler.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Infrafred thermometer registering 122 F for a single-glazed steel casement window." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540218/original/file-20230731-160144-b1euk7.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540218/original/file-20230731-160144-b1euk7.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540218/original/file-20230731-160144-b1euk7.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540218/original/file-20230731-160144-b1euk7.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540218/original/file-20230731-160144-b1euk7.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540218/original/file-20230731-160144-b1euk7.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540218/original/file-20230731-160144-b1euk7.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The surface temperature of single-glazed steel casement windows contributes to discomfort in older homes. This window registered 122 F (50 C) when the outdoor temperature was 108 F (42.2 C).</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Jonathan Bean</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Inside my house on triple-digit days, it can feel like I’m standing near a campfire, even with the air conditioner roaring to maintain 75 F (23.9 C). And when the system breaks – as it did during the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/31/us/phoenix-heat-july.html">long-running 2023 heat wave</a>, when Phoenix hit 110 F (43.3 C) every day for weeks – temperatures rise dangerously fast. Without the AC, the hot surfaces plus the swirl of air from the ceiling fan makes the house <a href="https://apnews.com/article/phoenix-heat-air-conditioning-rationing-cooling-center-63f35e2a87fc92ebbf4ccb139ddd6496">feel like an air fryer</a>.</p>
<h2>Air temperature: An incomplete indicator of comfort</h2>
<p>While people are used to thinking about how clothing, air movement, temperature and <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-heat-records-fall-how-hot-is-too-hot-for-the-human-body-210088">humidity</a> affect comfort, two lesser-known measures help explain how they experience comfort indoors:</p>
<ol>
<li><p><strong>Mean radiant temperature.</strong> This is the average temperature of all the surfaces that surround us: ceiling, windows, walls, floor. For radiant heat to move between an object and the human body, it needs an uninterrupted line of sight, so ceilings and unobstructed windows have an outsized influence on the radiant temperature experienced in a specific place in a house.</p></li>
<li><p><strong>Operative temperature.</strong> This can be approximated by averaging the mean radiant temperature and the average air temperature in a room. Other calculations of operative temperature take into account effects of air movement, humidity and additional variables. Roughly <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.06.014">half of how you experience comfort</a> is determined by <a href="https://www.treehugger.com/mean-radiant-temperature-key-to-understanding-comfort-5213152">the radiant environment</a>.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Unfortunately, as the building scientist <a href="http://www.healthyheating.com/Definitions/Mean%20Radiant.htm">Robert Bean</a> (no relation) says, “an entire industry of manufacturers, suppliers, builders and tradespeople incorrectly equate thermal comfort with air temperatures.” The result is that most people are completely oblivious to what actually makes a space feel comfortable — or uncomfortably hot.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A diagram shows the impact of mean radiant temperature on operative temperature." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540590/original/file-20230801-17-apsfw8.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540590/original/file-20230801-17-apsfw8.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=416&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540590/original/file-20230801-17-apsfw8.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=416&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540590/original/file-20230801-17-apsfw8.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=416&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540590/original/file-20230801-17-apsfw8.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=522&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540590/original/file-20230801-17-apsfw8.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=522&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540590/original/file-20230801-17-apsfw8.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=522&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The temperature of indoor surfaces makes a big difference for comfort, even when the indoor air is the same temperature.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Jonathan Bean</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On a hot, sunny day, good insulation and double-pane windows slow heat transfer enough for air conditioning to keep the mean radiant temperature inside the building within a few degrees of the air temperature.</p>
<p>However, in an under-insulated building, such as my house, or in some older public housing projects in Phoenix, the high mean radiant temperature can push the operative temperature over 90 F (32.2 C) – even with the thermostat set to 75 F (23.9 C). When the surface temperature exceeds the temperature of our skin, heat will begin to radiate from the hot surface into the body, making <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1982.03320490030031">heat stroke more likely</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="An illustration of a person sitting with their head in their hand in an older home with the ceiling temperature at 101 F, the windows 122 F and the walls and floor in the 90s F." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540655/original/file-20230802-18-nm2xby.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540655/original/file-20230802-18-nm2xby.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=653&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540655/original/file-20230802-18-nm2xby.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=653&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540655/original/file-20230802-18-nm2xby.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=653&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540655/original/file-20230802-18-nm2xby.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=821&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540655/original/file-20230802-18-nm2xby.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=821&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540655/original/file-20230802-18-nm2xby.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=821&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The high radiant mean temperature in old, under-insulated homes makes them much less comfortable than new or well-insulated homes.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Jonathan Bean</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Illustration shows a person sitting comfortably in a house with wall, ceiling and floor temperatures primarily in the 70s." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540654/original/file-20230802-29-k4xo5p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540654/original/file-20230802-29-k4xo5p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=653&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540654/original/file-20230802-29-k4xo5p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=653&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540654/original/file-20230802-29-k4xo5p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=653&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540654/original/file-20230802-29-k4xo5p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=821&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540654/original/file-20230802-29-k4xo5p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=821&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540654/original/file-20230802-29-k4xo5p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=821&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Jonathan Bean</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While the exact threshold where overheating becomes dangerous is debated, most people would agree that 90 F (32.2 C) is far too warm for comfort.</p>
<p>Hot surfaces are why smaller buildings, such as mobile homes, tiny homes, <a href="https://jonathanyb.medium.com/smaller-hotter-and-unfit-3e61e4b877b1">shipping containers</a> and garages turned into apartments, often feel uncomfortable regardless of the thermostat setting. Smaller structures expose occupants to three, four or even six surfaces with the exterior exposed to the sun and hot outside air. More warm surfaces, more discomfort.</p>
<h2>Cooler surfaces, more comfort</h2>
<p>If you live in an under-insulated building and don’t mind using more electricity, you can set the thermostat lower. But if the mean radiant temperature is high, a 2 F (1.1 C) drop in air temperature will feel like only 1 F (0.6 C) — and those hot surfaces will still make you feel uncomfortable. </p>
<p>Adding insulation to your roof and replacing single-pane windows with double-pane units with <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/window-types-and-technologies">low-emissivity (low-E) glass</a> can help reduce the mean radiant temperature and your energy bills. They’re expensive improvements, but new federal <a href="https://www.energy.gov/save">tax credits</a> and <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/heat-pumps/heat-pump-federal-tax-credits-and-state-rebates-a5223992000/">forthcoming rebates</a>, to be administered by individual states, can help. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A man and woman close bright-yellow curtains on tall side-by-side windows. The windows also have shades." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540542/original/file-20230801-22-1654yc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540542/original/file-20230801-22-1654yc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540542/original/file-20230801-22-1654yc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540542/original/file-20230801-22-1654yc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540542/original/file-20230801-22-1654yc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540542/original/file-20230801-22-1654yc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540542/original/file-20230801-22-1654yc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Curtains and double-glazed windows can reduce uncomfortable levels of radiant heat.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/an-african-american-stand-near-the-bedroom-windows-royalty-free-image/1446923585">Mireya Acierto/Photodisc via Getty Images</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Trees, awnings and exterior shades can also reduce mean radiant temperatures by blocking direct sunlight. However, <a href="https://buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-006-can-fully-glazed-curtainwalls-be-green">glass is a lousy insulator</a>, so in very hot climates, single-pane windows completely protected from the sun can still become uncomfortably warm. </p>
<p>Adding a curtain inside — and keeping it closed — can help decrease mean radiant temperature because the curtain will be closer to the air temperature than the glass.</p>
<h2>What about renters in old buildings?</h2>
<p>Renters in older, under-insulated buildings are often less able to afford large energy bills, and landlords may be unable or unwilling to make expensive improvements. Making matters worse, <a href="https://www.lennox.com/buyers-guide/tools/energy-savings-calculator">older air conditioning systems use two to three times as much energy</a> as newer units to deliver the same amount of cooling.</p>
<p>Since creating a comfortable operative temperature requires setting the thermostat lower, an HVAC system in an under-insulated building must work longer and harder, using more energy and further raising the cost. And the costs of discomfort are not only financial: Hot buildings also have <a href="https://theconversation.com/3-dangers-of-rising-temperatures-that-could-affect-your-health-now-105028">adverse impacts on health</a> and productivity.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="An old, dirty and beat-up air condition sits next to a window and brick wall with peeling paint." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540543/original/file-20230801-17-9t0k8i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540543/original/file-20230801-17-9t0k8i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540543/original/file-20230801-17-9t0k8i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540543/original/file-20230801-17-9t0k8i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540543/original/file-20230801-17-9t0k8i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540543/original/file-20230801-17-9t0k8i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540543/original/file-20230801-17-9t0k8i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Rental homes often have older air conditioning units that are less efficient.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/old-air-conditioner-unit-in-need-of-updating-royalty-free-image/542190768">SBSArtDept via Getty Images</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Millions of Americans now live in places where <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.2c09588">cooling is the only thing preventing a mass casualty event</a>. In Phoenix, <a href="https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservicessite/Documents/Cooling%20Ordinance.pdf">city code requires rental units cooled by air conditioning</a> to maintain a temperature of no more than 82 F (27.8 C), measured 3 feet above the floor in the center of the room. Unfortunately, the code does not specify whether 82 F is the operative temperature or the air temperature.</p>
<p>That one word makes a world of difference. </p>
<p>In an older, under-insulated building similar to my house — or, in what might be the worst-case scenario, a sun-fried southwest unit of the top floor of an uninsulated concrete high-rise — a seemingly safe air temperature of 82 F could easily mask dangerous operative temperatures of 96 F (35.6 C) or higher.</p>
<h2>The key to better design</h2>
<p>As a professor of <a href="https://capla.arizona.edu/faculty-staff/jonathan-bean">architecture and building science</a>, I believe today’s byzantine building codes and rental rules could be greatly improved for comfort by <a href="http://www.healthyheating.com/Thermal-Comfort-in-Simple-Terms.htm#.YbjH1X3MJqt">regulating mean radiant temperature</a> rather than air temperature. Vast sections of code could be jettisoned by requiring that interior surfaces, which are easy to measure with an inexpensive <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_thermometer">infrared thermometer</a>, be kept within a comfort range above 60 F (15.6 C) and below 85 F (29.4 C).</p>
<p>For more comfortable buildings, architects and engineers can apply <a href="https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/passive-and-low-energy-cooling">simple, established principles</a>, such as natural ventilation, shading and the right insulation and windows for the climate. Keeping heat out in the first place means we don’t have to spend so much on energy for cooling. Research shows that these measures can also make us safer by <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.119323">keeping buildings cooler for longer</a> in summer power outages.</p>
<p>The happy result: homes and other buildings that are not only comfortable, but also safer and more affordable to operate.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210553/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jonathan Bean is the co-director of the Institute for Energy Solutions within the Arizona Institute for Resilience at the University of Arizona, and a board member of the Phius Alliance.</span></em></p>Thermostats don’t tell the whole truth about heat, particularly in older homes.Jonathan Bean, Associate Professor of Architecture, Sustainable Built Environments and Marketing, University of ArizonaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2072432023-07-20T16:44:34Z2023-07-20T16:44:34ZHow to make homes cooler without cranking up the air conditioning<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/538025/original/file-20230718-29-58s0si.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=35%2C17%2C5955%2C3970&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Air conditioners often become the default solution when temperatures rise.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/woman-sitting-on-sofa-several-fans-2182239655">Jose Miguel Sanchez/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Temperatures around the world are soaring. Both California’s Death Valley and China’s Xinjiang region have seen temperatures climb <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2023/jul/17/europe-heatwave-2023-us-asia-heat-extreme-severe-weather-fires-flash-floods-flooding-record-breaking-heat-wave-stress-temperature-red-alert-climate-crisis">above the 50°C mark</a>. A <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66183069">blistering heatwave</a> is also sweeping across the Mediterranean, causing temperatures in parts of Italy, Spain, France and Greece to exceed 40°C.</p>
<p>In the future, the impact of scorching temperatures will extend beyond traditionally warm regions. In fact, our <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01155-z">new research</a> indicates that, if global temperature rise increases from 1.5°C to 2°C, countries at northern latitudes like the UK, Norway, Finland and Switzerland will face the greatest relative increase in uncomfortably hot days.</p>
<p>During uncomfortably hot weather, people seek ways to cool down their homes. Air conditioners often become the default solution when temperatures rise as they provide fast and effective relief from scorching heat. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/northern-europe-faces-biggest-relative-increase-in-uncomfortable-heat-and-is-dangerously-unprepared-new-research-209745">Northern Europe faces biggest relative increase in uncomfortable heat and is dangerously unprepared – new research</a>
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<p>But air conditioners consume a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/12/uk-heatwave-prompts-order-to-fire-up-coal-plant-to-meet-aircon-demand">lot of energy</a>. Many also use refrigerants called fluorinated gases that have <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fluorinated-gases-f-gases">high global warming potential</a> when they leak.</p>
<p>Unrestrained usage of air conditioners in the future will result in increased emissions and further global warming. So it’s important to know the <a href="https://journal-buildingscities.org/articles/10.5334/bc.255">recommended steps to keep your home cool</a> in the face of rising temperatures, without causing the climate more harm.</p>
<h2>Block the sun</h2>
<p>Buildings can be protected from too much heat by creating a barrier between them and the sun’s rays. There are different ways to achieve this, ranging from reflective and ventilated roofs to external window shutters and awnings. Research one of us worked on in Spain found that using <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378778816306399?via%3Dihub">external window shutters</a> can reduce cooling needs (the thermal energy required to keep people comfortable) by up to 14%.</p>
<p>Even something as simple as painting your roof a light colour can reduce indoor temperatures. Research in very hot cities in Pakistan found that, by reflecting the sun’s energy, this approach can reduce cooling needs by <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.119811">more than 7%</a>.</p>
<p>Another effective technique is to make use of the shade provided by tree canopies. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132313002060?via%3Dihub">Research</a> in Melbourne, Australia, has shown that trees covering buildings in shade can lower the surface temperature of walls by up to 9°C.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/538514/original/file-20230720-15-de54aj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="annotated diagram of house" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/538514/original/file-20230720-15-de54aj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/538514/original/file-20230720-15-de54aj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=279&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/538514/original/file-20230720-15-de54aj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=279&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/538514/original/file-20230720-15-de54aj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=279&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/538514/original/file-20230720-15-de54aj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=350&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/538514/original/file-20230720-15-de54aj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=350&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/538514/original/file-20230720-15-de54aj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=350&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">How to protect a building from the sun.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Jesus Lizana</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Use natural ventilation</h2>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113658">One effective way</a> to cool down a poorly ventilated building, is to open windows when the outside temperature drops. This lets warm air escape and invites cooler air in.</p>
<p>But additional features, such as ventilation chimneys and roof vents, can be incorporated into building design to further assist airflow. These features are often found in hot and arid climates, particularly in the Middle East. Historically, buildings in this region made use of tall, chimney-like structures called <a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20180926-an-ancient-engineering-feat-that-harnessed-the-wind#:%7E:text=Wind%20catchers%20are%20tall%2C%20chimney,rooms%20to%20refrigerate%20perishable%20foods">wind catchers</a> that capture cool prevailing winds and redirect them into homes. Ventilating a building with cool air at night can also keep it cool for longer during the day.</p>
<p>Buildings can also be “cross ventilated”, where a fresh breeze enters through an opening and exits through another on the opposite side. If necessary, this can be promoted by incorporating inner courtyards – a design that has been used for centuries in warmer climates to keep buildings cool. </p>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210670721008556">previous research</a> found that inner courtyards can reduce the total amount of time in which we need to take measures to cool down (known as indoor discomfort hours) by 26%. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532350/original/file-20230616-29-t2t7gp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A figure showing different ways to ventilate a building." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532350/original/file-20230616-29-t2t7gp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532350/original/file-20230616-29-t2t7gp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=376&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532350/original/file-20230616-29-t2t7gp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=376&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532350/original/file-20230616-29-t2t7gp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=376&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532350/original/file-20230616-29-t2t7gp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532350/original/file-20230616-29-t2t7gp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532350/original/file-20230616-29-t2t7gp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Natural ventilation techniques for buildings.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Jesus Lizana</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">CC BY-NC-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Cooling beyond temperature control</h2>
<p>Our perception of coolness is not solely determined by temperature. Factors like humidity and air speed also play a role in how comfortable we feel. </p>
<p>That’s where fans come in handy, whether they’re on the ceiling or standing on their own. By combining fans with air conditioning, it’s possible to <a href="https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/ashrae-handbook/ashrae-handbook-online">raise the thermostat setting from 24°C to 27°C</a> and still feel cool. This simple adjustment can reduce household energy consumption for cooling by more than 20%. </p>
<p>Centralised air conditioning systems also often end up <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03121-1">cooling us down more than necessary</a> or even waste energy by cooling empty rooms. But we can tackle this by combining more relaxed cooling settings, like raising the thermostat, with personal cooling devices such as desk fans, cooled seats or wearable thermoelectric coolers. These devices allow people to have more control of their immediate cooling needs without having to cool down an entire space.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532351/original/file-20230616-23-yq97q4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A figure showing different ways to keep cool." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532351/original/file-20230616-23-yq97q4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532351/original/file-20230616-23-yq97q4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=256&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532351/original/file-20230616-23-yq97q4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=256&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532351/original/file-20230616-23-yq97q4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=256&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532351/original/file-20230616-23-yq97q4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=322&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532351/original/file-20230616-23-yq97q4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=322&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532351/original/file-20230616-23-yq97q4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=322&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">(a) Keeping cool only by temperature control; (b) using all thermal comfort variables.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://journal-buildingscities.org/articles/10.5334/bc.255">Lizana et al. (2022)/Buildings and Cities</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">CC BY-NC-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When air conditioning still remains necessary, choose units with a high efficiency rating using refrigerants with low global-warming potential. To figure out how efficient they are, there’s an indicator called the energy efficiency ratio (ERR) – you’ll want to pick a unit with an ERR that’s close to or above four.</p>
<p>When designing or adapting buildings, it’s essential to consider the overall heating and cooling demands. For example, maximising ventilation can prevent overheating during summer, but minimising ventilation can help reduce the need for heating during winter. </p>
<p>The key is to find solutions that work well together and can be adapted easily so that the cost of installing energy-intensive air-conditioning systems can be avoided or reduced. This approach will allow people to stay comfortable during hotter temperatures, without compromising the climate further for future generations.</p>
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<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
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<hr><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/207243/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jesus Lizana receives funding from European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Nicole Miranda and Radhika Khosla do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Air con uses lots of energy – try these things first.Jesus Lizana, Marie-Curie Research Fellow, Department of Engineering Science, University of OxfordNicole Miranda, Senior Researcher and College Lecturer in Engineering, University of OxfordRadhika Khosla, Associate Professor, Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of OxfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2097452023-07-14T14:32:31Z2023-07-14T14:32:31ZNorthern Europe faces biggest relative increase in uncomfortable heat and is dangerously unprepared – new research<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537510/original/file-20230714-21935-ymm8xc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=7%2C0%2C4885%2C3264&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Northern Europe will experience the greatest relative increase in uncomfortably hot days if global temperature rise reaches 2℃.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://theconversation.com/asset_images/537118/edit?content_id=207243">DRG Photography/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C is getting harder. A <a href="https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2022">recent UN report</a> even stated that there is now “no credible pathway” to achieve this goal. </p>
<p>Our planet has entered uncharted territory, with all kinds of records being broken. For four consecutive days at the start of July 2023, Earth <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/4th-july-breaks-record-highest-temperature-measured/story?id=100702850">experienced its hottest day on record</a>. And the North Atlantic Ocean is <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66143682">currently experiencing</a> the highest sea-surface water temperatures ever recorded. </p>
<p>There is a good chance that many more temperature records will be broken in the coming months. A <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66183069">heatwave</a> is currently sweeping across large parts of southern Europe, with temperatures expected to exceed 40°C in parts of <a href="https://www.meteoam.it/it/home">Italy</a>, Spain, France and Greece. There’s even a chance that the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58130893">current European temperature record</a> of 48.8°C, could be broken.</p>
<p>Additionally, our <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01155-z">new research</a> highlights how dangerously under prepared northern Europe is for the consequences of climate change.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A girl cools off in fountain during a heatwave in Athens, Greece." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537515/original/file-20230714-26-ile1sh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537515/original/file-20230714-26-ile1sh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537515/original/file-20230714-26-ile1sh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537515/original/file-20230714-26-ile1sh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537515/original/file-20230714-26-ile1sh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537515/original/file-20230714-26-ile1sh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537515/original/file-20230714-26-ile1sh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A heatwave is currently sweeping across large parts of southern Europe.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/search/greece-heatwave?image_type=photo">Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We found that, out of countries with more than 5 million inhabitants, Switzerland, the UK, Norway and Finland will experience the most significant relative increase in heat exposure and cooling requirements if global warming reaches 2°C. When we accounted for countries with populations of 2 million and over, Ireland came top.</p>
<p>Buildings in the northern hemisphere are primarily designed to withstand cold seasons by maximising solar gains and minimising ventilation – like greenhouses. The effects of extra heat are thus felt more acutely in these countries. Compared to other regions, the impact of even a moderate increase in temperatures will be huge.</p>
<p>We modelled climate scenarios at both 1.5°C and 2°C of global warming, using a concept called “cooling degree days” to quantify exposure to uncomfortable temperatures. Cooling degree days help us assess when people will need to take extra measures, like switching the air-conditioning on, to keep themselves cool.</p>
<p>It calculates how much (in degrees), and for how long (in days), the outside average daily temperature exceeds a reference temperature – normally taken to be 18°C. For example, two days where the average outdoor temperature was 25°C (7°C above the 18°C threshold) would have a total of 14 cooling degree days.</p>
<h2>Northern Europe and Africa at risk</h2>
<p>Our findings show that countries in the tropics will see the largest absolute increase in extreme heat as measured in this way if global temperatures rise from 1.5°C to 2°C. Countries in central and sub-Saharan Africa, such as the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali, South Sudan, and Nigeria will be hit the hardest, with an additional 250 annual cooling degree days or more. </p>
<p>These repercussions of these results will impose further strain on the continent’s social and economic development. Our results are also a clear indication that Africa is shouldering the burden of a problem it <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-which-countries-are-historically-responsible-for-climate-change/">did not create</a>.</p>
<p>However, it’s the countries at northern latitudes that will face the greatest relative increase in uncomfortably hot days. Of the top ten countries with the most significant relative change in cooling degree days as global warming exceeds 1.5°C and reaches 2°C, eight are located in northern Europe. </p>
<p>If we measured from today until we reached 2°C, this relative increase would be even higher.</p>
<p><strong>Increasing heat exposure:</strong></p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532344/original/file-20230616-27-dmali7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Two world maps showing the absolute and relative increase in cooling degree days." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532344/original/file-20230616-27-dmali7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532344/original/file-20230616-27-dmali7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532344/original/file-20230616-27-dmali7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532344/original/file-20230616-27-dmali7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532344/original/file-20230616-27-dmali7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532344/original/file-20230616-27-dmali7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532344/original/file-20230616-27-dmali7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Absolute (a) and relative (b) increase in cooling degree days (CDDs) as global mean temperature increases from 1.5°C to 2°C.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01155-z">Miranda et al. (2023)/Nature Sustainability</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">CC BY-NC-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Fuelling global warming</h2>
<p>Air conditioners are often seen as the go-to solution for rising temperatures, as they provide fast relief from the heat. However, if left unchecked, the <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-cooling">increased demand for cooling</a> to combat the heat will lead to higher emissions and further global warming.</p>
<p>This is not a hypothetical situation. In June 2023, as temperatures soared in the UK, the demand for air conditioning rose to such an extent that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/12/uk-heatwave-prompts-order-to-fire-up-coal-plant-to-meet-aircon-demand">coal was burned</a> to generate electricity.</p>
<p>Many air conditioners also use refrigerants called fluorinated gases. These gases can leak, and when they do they have a global warming potential up to nearly <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fluorinated-gases-f-gases">14,800 times greater than CO₂</a>.</p>
<p>The need for air conditioning can be reduced and even eliminated by <a href="https://journal-buildingscities.org/articles/10.5334/bc.255">making appropriate adaptations</a>. These <a href="https://journal-buildingscities.org/articles/10.5334/bc.255">can be</a> as simple as adding windows shutters or awnings, loft ventilation, painting your roof a light colour, enabling natural ventilation when the outside temperature drops, or using ceiling fans.</p>
<p>These would make it possible for people in northern Europe to stay comfortable during hotter temperatures without compromising the climate further for future generations. But this requires northern Europe to take the effects of climate change seriously and to start getting prepared for the coming heat.</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
<br><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeTop">Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead.</a> Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeBottom">Join the 20,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.</a></em></p>
<hr><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/209745/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jesus Lizana receives funding from European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Nicole Miranda and Radhika Khosla do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Rising temperatures threaten the UK, Switzerland and Norway with more uncomfortably hot days – new research.Jesus Lizana, Marie-Curie Research Fellow, Department of Engineering Science, University of OxfordNicole Miranda, Senior Researcher and College Lecturer in Engineering, University of OxfordRadhika Khosla, Associate Professor, Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of OxfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2010902023-03-07T19:05:46Z2023-03-07T19:05:46ZSolar power can cut living costs, but it’s not an option for many people – they need better support<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/513859/original/file-20230307-14-atzhip.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=12%2C12%2C8118%2C5444&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>As the cost of living soars, many Australian households are turning to rooftop solar to cut their energy costs. A <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/to-address-rising-energy-costs-australians-want-long-term-solutions-from-the-government-rather-than-temporary-reliefs">Pulse of the Nation</a> survey last month showed about 29% of Australians have installed or are considering installing solar panels on their homes. </p>
<p>The same survey shows one in five Australians can’t afford to adequately heat or cool their homes. Many are also unable to install energy-saving options such as solar panels or insulation because of the upfront costs or because they are renters who cannot make changes to the dwelling. Among those who are financially stressed, earn less than A$50,000 or are between the ages of 18 and 34, a large majority do not intend to install energy-saving options, largely because they cannot afford them.</p>
<p>Renewable energy is not just critical for saving on energy bills, but also for <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2022/217/9/2022-report-mja-lancet-countdown-health-and-climate-change-australia-unprepared">mitigating climate change and fostering sustainable development</a>. However, the reality is access to solar power is not equitable for all Australians. Our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800923000174?via%3Dihub">new research</a> shows without better government support, many people will miss out on its benefits.</p>
<iframe title="Investments made or considered to lower energy costs" aria-label="Grouped Column Chart" id="datawrapper-chart-wDERd" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/wDERd/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border: none;" width="100%" height="400" data-external="1"></iframe>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-maximise-savings-from-your-home-solar-system-and-slash-your-power-bills-197415">How to maximise savings from your home solar system and slash your power bills</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>What does equity in rooftop solar uptake look like?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800923000174?via%3Dihub">Our research</a> focuses on how to make access to rooftop solar more equitable. </p>
<p>It is important to distinguish between equity and equality. Equality means every household will be given the <a href="https://onlinepublichealth.gwu.edu/resources/equity-vs-equality/">same resources or opportunities</a>. For example, every household would receive the same subsidy to install solar panels. </p>
<p>Equity refers to fairness. The idea of equity recognises not all households start from the same place. Instead, adjustments to imbalances might be required. </p>
<p>In the context of solar adoption, equity would mean every Australian can benefit from solar power. Any subsidies or other support would be adjusted based on individual circumstances. </p>
<p>To better understand how it affects the adoption of solar panels, we looked at several aspects of inequity. These include financial situation, renting status, gender, education and ethnicity. </p>
<p>For our study, we collected 167 studies worldwide on household solar panel adoption to determine what we know about how it’s affected by these aspects of inequity. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/we-all-need-energy-to-survive-here-are-3-ways-to-ensure-australias-crazy-power-prices-leave-no-one-behind-193459">We all need energy to survive. Here are 3 ways to ensure Australia's crazy power prices leave no-one behind</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1486909044132806661"}"></div></p>
<h2>Solar power equity has been neglected</h2>
<p>Our findings show there is very limited in-depth data and research on this issue in Australia. Australian studies on residential solar uptake account for 20 (12%) of the 167 studies. </p>
<p>Research in Australia tends to focus on <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140988322002833">equity related to income</a>. Of the 20 Australian studies, six find a positive link between income and solar panel adoption, four find a negative link, five show inconclusive results and five omit income altogether. </p>
<p>These mixed results can be explained, in part, by the fact that a range of factors impact whether a household can afford solar power. For example, a somewhat higher household income does not automatically mean that a household has <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140988322002833">less bill stress and enough accumulated wealth</a> to afford the upfront cost of installing solar power. </p>
<p>Few studies offer a deeper analysis of variables such as education or ethnicity. For Australia, only five studies looked at education and only one at ethnicity. There is a lack of data on solar uptake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. </p>
<p>This limited research does not allow for definite conclusions about how these variables impact rooftop solar uptake.</p>
<p>Energy-saving installations in investment properties have also received limited attention. Many Australian renters report their dwellings have extremely poor insulation. This leads to hot indoor temperatures in summer and <a href="https://theconversation.com/if-youre-renting-chances-are-your-home-is-cold-with-power-prices-soaring-heres-what-you-can-do-to-keep-warm-184472">cold conditions in winter</a>. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/if-youre-renting-chances-are-your-home-is-cold-with-power-prices-soaring-heres-what-you-can-do-to-keep-warm-184472">If you're renting, chances are your home is cold. With power prices soaring, here's what you can do to keep warm</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Renters typically have <a href="https://theconversation.com/if-youre-renting-chances-are-your-home-is-cold-with-power-prices-soaring-heres-what-you-can-do-to-keep-warm-184472">limited ways to fix these problems</a>. The only available options for many renters are air conditioning and portable heaters powered by traditional energy sources, which increases electricity bills.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1525959210432745472"}"></div></p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-can-cut-your-energy-costs-by-up-to-90-its-not-magic-just-a-smart-use-of-the-laws-of-physics-185711">Heat pumps can cut your energy costs by up to 90%. It’s not magic, just a smart use of the laws of physics</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>What policies can improve solar equity?</h2>
<p>Policies that could improve equity in rooftop solar access include:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>direct financial support for low-income households that otherwise could not afford solar power</p></li>
<li><p>a variety of other financial incentives such as solar rebates</p></li>
<li><p>community solar programs that allow households to share the benefits. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Some programs are in place to help home owners on low incomes to install solar systems. For example, New South Wales has a “<a href="https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/rebates-grants-and-schemes/rebate-swap-solar">Solar for low-income households</a>” program. Eligible individuals can get a free 3-kilowatt solar system in return for giving up the <a href="https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-the-low-income-household-rebate-on-supply-customers">Low-Income Household Rebate</a> for ten years. South Australia had a “<a href="https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/concessions/household-concessions/solar-offer">Switch for Solar</a>” trial, for which applications closed on August 31 2022. </p>
<p>However, to access these schemes Australians must first overcome one difficult hurdle: home ownership. </p>
<p>In addition, a focus on income alone can be problematic. Directing subsidies to low-income households alone <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140988322002833">misses households with low wealth that are above an income threshold</a>.</p>
<p>The Australian government has promised new policy approaches. Its <a href="https://www.alp.org.au/policies/powering-australia">Powering Australia Plan</a> pledged $102.2 million for community solar banks. These are community-owned projects to improve access for those currently locked out of solar power. Households can lease or buy a plot in these solar banks, instead of using their own rooftops. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Mother and son stand next to rows of solar panels" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/513547/original/file-20230306-4646-h5a5e1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/513547/original/file-20230306-4646-h5a5e1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=295&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/513547/original/file-20230306-4646-h5a5e1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=295&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/513547/original/file-20230306-4646-h5a5e1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=295&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/513547/original/file-20230306-4646-h5a5e1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=370&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/513547/original/file-20230306-4646-h5a5e1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=370&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/513547/original/file-20230306-4646-h5a5e1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=370&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Households can lease or buy a plot in a community solar bank, instead of using their own rooftops.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/3-ways-the-albanese-government-can-turn-australia-into-a-renewable-energy-superpower-without-leaving-anyone-behind-183640">3 ways the Albanese government can turn Australia into a renewable energy superpower – without leaving anyone behind</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The success of such projects will depend on whether they are accessible to and affordable for everyone.</p>
<p>More data collection is needed to identify priorities for policy action on energy equity. This can include a new <a href="https://near.csiro.au/assets/a673168c-7b33-4c87-ac7f-02baf700a2e4">Household Energy Consumption Survey</a> (the Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted such a survey until a decade ago), broader analysis by researchers to consider equity dimensions, and collaboration between researchers and policymakers to trial new policies.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/201090/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Martina Linnenluecke receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rohan Best has received past funding from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Mauricio Marrone does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The very people most in need of the cost savings from installing solar panels are missing out. Better policies are needed to make home solar systems accessible to all Australians.Martina Linnenluecke, Professor of Environmental Finance at UTS Business School, University of Technology SydneyMauricio Marrone, Associate Professor, Department of Actuarial Studies and Business Analytics, Macquarie UniversityRohan Best, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, Macquarie UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2009172023-03-06T19:03:12Z2023-03-06T19:03:12ZAs Western Sydney residents grapple with climate change, they want political action<p><a href="https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/rcegws/rcegws/About/about_greater_western_sydney">Western Sydney</a> is being <a href="https://theconversation.com/half-of-western-sydney-foodbowl-land-may-have-been-lost-to-development-in-just-10-years-190148">developed rapidly</a>, increasing its already high vulnerability to climate change. One day in January 2020, Penrith was the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-sydney-suburbs-that-hit-50c-last-summer-20201002-p561by.html">hottest place on Earth</a>. Residents who have endured searing heat, <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-do-sydney-and-other-cities-have-in-common-dust-127515">bushfires</a>, heavy rain, <a href="https://theconversation.com/under-resourced-and-undermined-as-floods-hit-south-west-sydney-our-research-shows-councils-arent-prepared-178293">floods</a> and <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-10/enormous-repair-bill-for-flood-damaged-across-sydney-nsw/100896228">huge damage bills</a> in recent years are <a href="https://www.bushfiresurvivors.org/">now a political force</a>. </p>
<p>In addition to being overwhelmed by such events, residents sometimes feel they are not heard. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, essential workers in Western Sydney felt alienated and over-policed, and demanded their predicaments be taken into account. In the recent federal election, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-23/mixed-results-in-western-sydney-after-federal-election-2022/101090328">local candidates gained traction</a> due to their trusted presence in the community. </p>
<p>The preferences of the region’s culturally and economically diverse voters are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-23/mixed-results-in-western-sydney-after-federal-election-2022/101090328">no longer predictable</a>. They could also have a substantial influence on the March 25 state election. </p>
<p>Our <a href="https://doi.org/10.26183/t4sz-gh64">newly published report</a>, Climate Matters to Western Sydney: Everyday Sustainability Practices in Uncertain Times, documents 100 residents’ responses to our survey about their environmental practices and their struggles to secure their families’ wellbeing. Their aspirations for a sustainable future emerge clearly from the survey responses. </p>
<p>Our findings challenge the idea that Western Sydney residents’ financial concerns, such as costs of living and energy, are somehow separate from and outweigh their environmental concerns. There is a strong desire to adapt creatively to the challenges of an uncertain climate.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/western-sydney-will-swelter-through-46-days-per-year-over-35-c-by-2090-unless-emissions-drop-significantly-177056">Western Sydney will swelter through 46 days per year over 35°C by 2090, unless emissions drop significantly</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Shared air, shared infrastructure</h2>
<p>In 1837, British inventor and mathematician Charles Babbage wrote: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>The air itself is one vast library on whose pages are forever written all that man has ever said or woman whispered.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The <a href="https://its-airborne.org/covid19-timeline.html#event-fact-the-principal-mechanism-of-covid-19-infection-is-aerosol">COVID pandemic</a> made it impossible to ignore that the quality of the air around us is measured and qualified, and it’s both intimately <a href="https://culanth.org/fieldsights/viral-nationalism">personal and shared</a>. Air quality is a signature of wellbeing – it’s pivotal to household comfort and sustainable cities. Our respondents understand the complexities of these interactions with air very well.</p>
<p>As with <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02637758231153399">earlier research</a>, we’ve found a divide between people who have air conditioning and those who don’t. More than half of our study participants didn’t have it at home. </p>
<p>However, air-conditioning users are more attuned to their environment than the idea of a “<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-new-climate-denial-using-wealth-to-insulate-yourself-from-discomfort-and-change-199101">new climate denial</a>” would suggest. Three-quarters said they had a comfort or precise temperature threshold, ranging from 22°C to 40°C, for turning it on. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-new-climate-denial-using-wealth-to-insulate-yourself-from-discomfort-and-change-199101">The new climate denial? Using wealth to insulate yourself from discomfort and change</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Most respondents, including those with air conditioning, used blinds to cope with increasing heat. They also used fans and cross-ventilation, shading and planting, and went to air-conditioned shared spaces like libraries and shopping malls to cope with increasing heatwaves. </p>
<h2>It’s not all about cost of living</h2>
<p>Our participants told us the ways that the movement of both air and water is crucial for their wellbeing, household comfort and urban sustainability. For example, one Parramatta resident of mixed heritage in their 50s reported: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>I wrap myself in wet clothes – neck, head, douse myself in water in the yard – when working in the garden.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Residents adapt to changing environmental conditions using both low and high-tech solutions to balance wellbeing, sustainability and cost. This includes using blinds, fans and other ways of regulating the temperature. They also design solar-passive solutions themselves, such as vines and other external shading. Planners often overlook these solutions, but they are crucial to household comfort. </p>
<p>Air is both common and private, affected by energy, architecture and urban gardening. Coming out of the COVID experience, being at home in Western Sydney increasingly extends beyond the walls of the house to <a href="https://doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/20059">include community and creative spaces</a>, parks and gardens. While half our respondents reported staying put during heatwaves, the other half sought out public pools and beaches or common air-conditioned spaces, such as shopping centres. </p>
<p>Our respondents were emphatic: the cost of living is not just its price. While households play a significant role in climate change and contribute to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, they also act in ways that promote ecological sustainability. These extend from preserving local parks and creating community gardens to pressuring federal and state governments to act on their responsibilities. For example, a resident told us: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>Insist that green cover be measured and monitored very publicly […] insist that
tree cover remains. Identify all sites that can remain parks and totally protect
them from any private enterprises, leases and developments.</p>
</blockquote>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/half-of-western-sydney-foodbowl-land-may-have-been-lost-to-development-in-just-10-years-190148">Half of Western Sydney foodbowl land may have been lost to development in just 10 years</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Shared solutions for shared problems</h2>
<p>Councils, <a href="https://www.endeavourenergy.com.au/modern-grid/resilience-strategy">electricity networks</a> and other organisations at the front lines of the climate crisis are asking profound questions about how we live together: where will people go during the next catastrophic fires? How can we create community refuges that will be safe and have dependable communications and electricity? </p>
<p>These are not questions that can be answered simply with more housing supply or lower interest rates. While private homes can offer a <a href="https://theconversation.com/future-home-havens-australians-likely-to-use-more-energy-to-stay-in-and-save-money-199672">refuge in times of crisis</a>, acknowledging our air, water and even electricity are common resources – our “vast library” – helps start a different discussion about responsibilities, rights and our shared existence. </p>
<p>The voters of Western Sydney understand this, and politicians ignore it at their peril.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/future-home-havens-australians-likely-to-use-more-energy-to-stay-in-and-save-money-199672">Future home havens: Australians likely to use more energy to stay in and save money</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/200917/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Declan Kuch has received funding from the Australian Research Council, Australian Renewable Energy Agency and Cooperative Research Centres.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Stephen Healy has received funding from the Australian Research Council. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Malini Sur and Sukhmani Khorana do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Voters in the region have long been seen as caring more about their finances than green issues. But living through extreme heat, rain and floods has them focused on living with climate change.Declan Kuch, Vice Chancellor's Research Fellow, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney UniversityMalini Sur, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney UniversityStephen Healy, Associate Professor, Human Geography and Urban Studies School of Social Sciences/ Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney UniversitySukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1962182023-01-25T00:32:09Z2023-01-25T00:32:09Z5 reasons to check on your elderly neighbour during a heatwave<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/500956/original/file-20221214-20-19j3u9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C1000%2C664&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/overheated-asian-senior-woman-sweatinghigh-temperature-1954041304">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>We all know someone who insists on wearing a cardigan in summer or refuses to turn on the air conditioning because “it’s not that hot”. Chances are this is an older person, and there’s a good reason for that.</p>
<p>As we get older, we tend to not “feel” the heat <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163710000450?casa_token=LxiONa0xZXQAAAAA:8IYLW0YquTHHUGkd2qiMgz6FNU3y2f4FIW96Lu9a-gjbAWw8iOgt7AOQ9C0UWMmDtXWOkqw#fig4">as much</a> even though our bodies are <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00202.2003">less able to handle the heat</a>. This contradiction can have <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412017321980?casa_token=-nCG3M20MawAAAAA:VYwlO1kZIpibQnCLlm4LuSKMkK9nNvOgvdrXzUPHglOknNKp20UX0oty1DS2uWrlCZnoZhg">lethal consequences</a>, especially during periods of extreme heat.</p>
<p>So, why is extreme heat so dangerous for older people? And what can we do to help?</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-how-can-extreme-heat-lead-to-death-91480">Health Check: how can extreme heat lead to death?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Why are older people at risk?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420921006324">Extreme heat kills</a> more Australians than <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901114000999">all other natural hazards</a>, and people aged 60 or older account for 69% of those deaths.</p>
<p>There are five key reasons we’re more susceptible to heat as we get older.</p>
<p><strong>1. Bodily changes</strong></p>
<p>One of the main ways we lose excess heat, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3228253/">blood flowing to our skin</a>, isn’t as effective as we get older. This is in part because the blood vessels in our skin don’t expand fast enough, and we may have less blood pumping with each beat of our heart.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041202031864X#f0010">Many other changes</a> in our bodies also lead us to gain and store more heat as we get older. These include how our bodies control sweat and how well our kidneys balance fluid, which are both important for staying cool.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-rising-temperatures-affect-our-health-123016">How rising temperatures affect our health</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p><strong>2. Social isolation</strong></p>
<p>Loneliness and social isolation are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1064748120304425">health risks</a> on their own, but also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020318237#b0065">multiply the risk</a> of heat-related illness. </p>
<p>A South Australian <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/10/12/6721">survey</a> of older people showed those who were socially isolated were less confident in asking for help during a heatwave. </p>
<p>This is concerning as many older Australians <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australians/contents/housing-and-living-arrangements">live alone</a>, and we are more likely to live alone as we get older.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/one-in-four-australians-are-lonely-which-affects-their-physical-and-mental-health-106231">One in four Australians are lonely, which affects their physical and mental health</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p><strong>3. Beliefs and behaviour</strong></p>
<p>Older Australians may not respond to heat in ways that protect their own health and wellbeing. Australian culture tends to view heat tolerance as a matter of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3290974/">resilience</a> and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3402/gha.v5i0.19277">identity</a>, where there is a sense of generational pride in being able to cope with the heat. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/c67cf100436d8e7082a2dfc9302c1003/Adaptive+capabilities+in+elderly+people+during+extreme+heat+events+in+SA+-+Public+Health+Service+-+scientific+services+20140328.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-c67cf100436d8e7082a2dfc9302c1003-nKKgCmQ">Reports also suggest</a> many older people have concerns about the cost of air conditioning, may be hesitant to use it, or accidentally use reverse cycle units as heaters.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/high-energy-costs-make-vulnerable-households-reluctant-to-use-air-conditioning-study-86624">High energy costs make vulnerable households reluctant to use air conditioning: study</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p><strong>4. Medical issues</strong></p>
<p>Many chronic illnesses that are more common with age are also associated with an increased risk for heat-related illness. Because blood flow is so important for regulating our body temperature, it’s not surprising that conditions such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071916417300969?casa_token=LEe23NWx7V0AAAAA:-cw7TgysaYdqXq0FTuTtIxxE3Oua1NImlwmmvWWSyt39guUUWbzOsevcsoBI8tw5hbbkwaI">heart failure</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4861190/">diabetes</a> are associated with increased heat risk.</p>
<p>Similarly, many medications commonly prescribed for chronic illnesses can <a href="https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/extreme-heat-information-for-clinicians">interfere</a> with how our body regulates temperature. For instance, some blood pressure medicines reduce our ability to sweat and lose heat.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-time-of-day-should-i-take-my-medicine-125809">What time of day should I take my medicine?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p><strong>5. Home environment</strong></p>
<p>It is <a href="https://www.anglicare.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Australia-Fair-Ageing-in-Place.pdf">increasingly difficult</a> for older Australians to find affordable and appropriate housing, especially pensioners and renters. </p>
<p>Poor home design, lack of insulation, inability to pay their energy bills, and limited income <a href="https://cur.org.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/heatwaveshomeshealth-briefing-paper_rmit-2.pdf">all contribute</a> to being vulnerable to heatwaves in Australia. This is particularly troubling as energy prices soar.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/to-keep-heatwaves-at-bay-aged-care-residents-deserve-better-quality-homes-85174">To keep heatwaves at bay, aged care residents deserve better quality homes</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>What can we do?</h2>
<p><strong>Older Australians</strong></p>
<p>Knowing the risks of extreme heat is the first step. Don’t <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/10/1/1">underestimate</a> your own risk during a heatwave. </p>
<p>There are many practical ways we can all keep ourselves and our homes cool, both safely and efficiently. These include:</p>
<ul>
<li>using a fan, <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-humid-is-it-3-things-to-keep-you-cool-in-a-hot-and-sticky-summer-and-3-things-that-wont-176365">which is effective</a>, especially when it’s humid, but may <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687014001355?casa_token=NoCMHlZZ_SUAAAAA:vu-Yk1WnHpy5RsumlwQ-5_SvvuMjJLeV5Cm087QTUYKI6kLUKwjnZ1-FuATlzGDC36WyCTI">not be enough</a> when it’s very hot and dry. If you have an air conditioner, consider using it</li>
</ul>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/500965/original/file-20221214-12-u73s9p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/500965/original/file-20221214-12-u73s9p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/500965/original/file-20221214-12-u73s9p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=846&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/500965/original/file-20221214-12-u73s9p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=846&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/500965/original/file-20221214-12-u73s9p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=846&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/500965/original/file-20221214-12-u73s9p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1063&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/500965/original/file-20221214-12-u73s9p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1063&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/500965/original/file-20221214-12-u73s9p.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1063&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Do you know the signs of heat-related illness?</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/6023f98b-bdcf-416b-9d3a-cfff9ea728c8/A4+Poster+-+Signs+and+symptoms+of+heat+illness.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&amp;CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-6023f98b-bdcf-416b-9d3a-cfff9ea728c8-nwMnDGl">SA Health</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<ul>
<li><p>knowing the conditions inside your home by installing thermometers that ideally also <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-humid-is-it-3-things-to-keep-you-cool-in-a-hot-and-sticky-summer-and-3-things-that-wont-176365">measure humidity</a> so you know which ways will work best to cool down</p></li>
<li><p>opening windows facing away from the sun when it’s cooler outside; otherwise keep blinds closed in the heat of the day</p></li>
<li><p>taking cool showers or applying a damp cloth to the back of your neck can help cool the skin</p></li>
<li><p>taking regular, small drinks of water, even when you’re not thirsty (unless you have <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/heat-stress-and-older-people#how-to-help-an-older-relative-or-friend">heart or kidney problems</a> in which case you need to talk to your doctor first as too much water may be a problem for you)</p></li>
<li><p><a href="https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/6023f98b-bdcf-416b-9d3a-cfff9ea728c8/A4+Poster+-+Signs+and+symptoms+of+heat+illness.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE-6023f98b-bdcf-416b-9d3a-cfff9ea728c8-nwMnDGl">knowing the signs</a> of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.</p></li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-cope-with-extreme-heat-days-without-racking-up-the-aircon-bills-128857">How to cope with extreme heat days without racking up the aircon bills</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p><strong>Older relatives, friends and neighbours</strong></p>
<p>We can all keep an eye on our older relatives, friends and neighbours as:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>keeping in touch is <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.17269/s41997-020-00309-2">great protection</a> from heat-related illness; check in regularly</p></li>
<li><p>when an older person can’t keep the house cool, support a day trip to a cooler place such as a library, cinema, or shopping centre</p></li>
<li><p>encourage them to talk to their doctor about how medical conditions or medications might increase their risk to heat.</p></li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-deadliest-natural-hazard-whats-your-heatwave-plan-90165">Australia's 'deadliest natural hazard': what's your heatwave plan?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>We need to raise awareness</h2>
<p>Australians are growing complacent about the health risks of extreme heat, see heatwaves as normal and public health messages <a href="https://widgets.figshare.com/articles/7618403/embed?show_title=1">aren’t cutting through</a> any more.</p>
<p>It’s also important to remember that older people aren’t all the same, so any public health approaches to extreme heat should be tailored to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378010001135?casa_token=e3YcjpeKWsgAAAAA:jzFlD6Wk7dvO05YEuoteZ0jUmMVc6eJczVhLxpDcw8qrLvCoTkvo2dz_wH_puWE-frzQNx4">communities and individuals</a>. </p>
<p>One way we’re trying to help is by working directly with older people. Together, we’re <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/research/climate-action/climate-transitions/health/ethos-project">researching and developing a smart device</a> that makes it easier to know when your house is getting warm, and customising strategies you can use to cool down safely.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-how-do-i-tell-if-im-dehydrated-107437">Health Check: how do I tell if I'm dehydrated?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/196218/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sarah Cunningham receives an Australian Government Research Training Program scholarship. She is affiliated with the Extreme Heat and Older Persons research group which receives funding from Wellcome. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Shannon Rutherford receives funding from Wellcome</span></em></p>Extreme heat kills more Australians than any other natural hazard. Here’s why it’s important to keep an eye on older family and friends this summer.Sarah Cunningham, Doctoral Candidate in Public Health, Griffith UniversityShannon Rutherford, Associate Professor, Public Health, Griffith UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1937232022-12-27T19:21:15Z2022-12-27T19:21:15ZTop 10 tips to keep cool this summer while protecting your health and your budget<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/496011/original/file-20221117-19-jzeyni.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C13%2C8688%2C5761&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>With energy prices and temperatures both rising, keeping cool in summer is an increasingly costly challenge for many Australians. Energy bills are predicted to increase <a href="https://7news.com.au/politics/aussies-hit-with-another-cost-of-living-blow-as-power-prices-tipped-to-rise-by-50-per-cent-c-8657366">by 50%</a> over the next two years, adding to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/14/five-australians-managing-cost-of-living-crisis-housing-food-prices-inflation">cost-of-living crisis</a>. For some, this creates <a href="https://energyconsumersaustralia.com.au/news/putting-people-in-control-of-energy-use-is-our-most-urgent-national-energy-priority">stark choices</a> between paying energy bills or putting food on the table. </p>
<p>Many households will have to contend with <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/outlooks/">high temperatures</a> this summer, and it’s getting hotter by the year. Last summer Onslow, Western Australia, endured the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-15/wa-onslow-50-degrees-dangerous-temperature-australians-get-used/100757256">highest temperature</a> ever recorded in Australia at <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-15/wa-onslow-50-degrees-dangerous-temperature-australians-get-used/100757256">50.7°C</a>. <a href="https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/science-policy-and-analysis/reports-and-publications/risks-australia-three-degrees-c-warmer-world">Research</a> suggests climate change will lead to summer temperatures as high as 50°C becoming <a href="https://theconversation.com/seriously-ugly-heres-how-australia-will-look-if-the-world-heats-by-3-c-this-century-157875">common</a> in Sydney and Melbourne. </p>
<p>Australians need to take the risks of heat seriously and do what they can to keep their homes cool. As the World Health Organization <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/energy-and-health#tab=tab_1">points out</a>, energy and health are inextricably linked. </p>
<p>So, while <a href="https://www.energy.gov.au/government-priorities/australias-energy-strategies-and-frameworks">energy policy</a> often focuses on managing costs and reducing energy use in the name of climate action, we should not forget the <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hot-weather-risks-and-staying-cool">impacts of heat on health</a> and wellbeing. Fortunately, there are things Australians can do to keep cool this summer while managing their energy bills. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/melbourne-now-has-chief-heat-officers-heres-why-we-need-them-and-what-they-can-do-192248">Melbourne now has chief heat officers. Here's why we need them and what they can do</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>So how do you keep cool on a budget?</h2>
<p>Based on our <a href="https://research.qut.edu.au/social-marketing-research-group/publications/">research</a> and the available evidence, our team has developed several resources including <a href="http://www.energyplusillawarra.com.au/?page_id=82">newsletters</a>, <a href="http://www.energyplusillawarra.com.au/?page_id=84">videos</a> and <a href="https://research.qut.edu.au/social-marketing-research-group/news-events/">brochures</a> on managing energy use while staying cool. </p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_bxSBPKDGAQ?wmode=transparent&start=91" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">A mix of approaches can help strike a balance between staying comfortable and keeping costs down.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Here are our top ten tips:</p>
<p><strong>1. Insulate your home.</strong> <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/insulation">Insulation</a> is often the most practical and effective way to make a home more energy-efficient. It’s a barrier to heat gain in summer (and loss in winter). Sealing gaps around <a href="https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency-and-reducing-emissions/building-or-renovating/key-principles-of-energy-efficient-design/planning-and-design/insulation/draught-proofing/seal-gaps-around-doors-and-windows">windows</a>, doors, walls and <a href="https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency-and-reducing-emissions/building-or-renovating/key-principles-of-energy-efficient-design/planning-and-design/insulation/draught-proofing/seal-gaps-around-walls-and-floors">floors</a> can make a big difference. </p>
<p><strong>2. Shade helps keep your home cool.</strong> External shading of windows can block up to 90% of unwanted heat gain. Awnings, adjustable shutters and trees (ideally deciduous so they don’t block winter sun) and vegetation around windows can help block out the summer sun.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/keen-to-retrofit-your-home-to-lower-its-carbon-footprint-and-save-energy-consider-these-3-things-175921">Keen to retrofit your home to lower its carbon footprint and save energy? Consider these 3 things</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p><strong>3. Close windows, curtains and blinds during the day.</strong> Blocking the sunlight stops heat from getting into your home. Thermally insulated double-glazed or secondary-glazed windows also help, as do honeycomb/solar blinds and blackout curtains with white backing. </p>
<p><strong>4. Open doors and windows when the air is cooler outside.</strong> Opening up the house at the right times helps cool it down when the building is retaining heat during a warm spell. The coolest part of the day is usually between 4am and 7am, so if you are an early riser this is a good time to open up and let cool air in. Cool breezes often occur in the late afternoon or early evening, providing another good opportunity to cool your home. </p>
<p><strong>5. Stay hydrated.</strong> Hydration is important for health and wellbeing, especially during summer. If you don’t drink enough water, you can start to feel unwell including symptoms of tiredness and headaches. Women need about eight cups or 2 litres, and men need about ten cups or 2.5 litres of fluid <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drinking-water-and-your-health">every day</a>. Beverages with alcohol, caffeine or sugar are not as good for keeping you hydrated – water is best!</p>
<p><strong>6. Wear suitable clothing.</strong> Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen absorb sweat and allow air to circulate against your skin. These are much <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-keep-cool-heatwave">better</a> than synthetics, which can leave you feeling hot and uncomfortable.</p>
<p><strong>7. Personal cooling practices can help.</strong> Using a <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hot-weather-risks-and-staying-cool">spray bottle</a> or a wet washcloth for your face and neck can help take the edge off the heat, as can a lukewarm bath or shower. <a href="https://www.intheknow.com/post/taking-naps-cools-body-heat-wave-tiktok/">Rest</a>, if possible, during the hottest part of the day – usually 11am-4pm. Vigorous physical activity at these times on hot days can be <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/how-to-cope-and-stay-safe-in-extreme-heat">damaging</a> for your health. </p>
<p><strong>8. Visit <a href="https://youtu.be/qRV_8aH0dhk?t=257">cool public places</a>.</strong> When your home gets too hot, air-conditioned sanctuaries include shopping malls, libraries, galleries and eateries. </p>
<p><strong>9. Switch on fans.</strong> Fans are a cheap and <a href="https://research.qut.edu.au/social-marketing-research-group/wp-content/uploads/sites/331/2022/06/Cooling.pdf">effective</a> way to keep cool. The air flow provides a similar improvement to comfort as reducing the air temperature by around 3°C. Direct the air flow to your face because the face has so many receptors on it. If the outside temperature is lower than in your home, place your fan next to an open window to draw in cool air. </p>
<p><strong>10. Think twice about switching on air conditioners.</strong> An <a href="https://youtu.be/_bxSBPKDGAQ?t=120">air conditioner</a> typically uses ten times more energy than a fan. Try using a fan in combination with an air conditioner. This means you can set the air conditioner to a higher temperature in summer (add at least 3°C) and still benefit. The combined cost will be far lower than running the air conditioner alone set at a lower temperature. For efficient air conditioning, your home or room should be well sealed and well insulated, and windows should be shaded from the sun.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Cat sits on couch enjoying the cool air of a fan" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/495830/original/file-20221117-11-4xtfkm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/495830/original/file-20221117-11-4xtfkm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/495830/original/file-20221117-11-4xtfkm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/495830/original/file-20221117-11-4xtfkm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/495830/original/file-20221117-11-4xtfkm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/495830/original/file-20221117-11-4xtfkm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/495830/original/file-20221117-11-4xtfkm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Don’t underestimate the humble fan – it can be very effective.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Keeping cool can protect your health</h2>
<p>If, to save on energy costs, households don’t cool their homes, the consequences can be more serious than being a bit uncomfortable. </p>
<p>Our <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0263775820961397">research</a> found energy consumption is important for families to care for children, cook and eat well, and live comfortably in the family home. We also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027795362200020X">found</a> that for older Australians energy is vital for preventing ill health and death, managing illness or disease, supporting good mental health and sustaining social relationships. But our research shows people <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301421515302093">worry</a> about the costs and need <a href="https://energyconsumersaustralia.com.au/great-grants/exploring-the-nexus-of-energy-use-ageing-and-health-and-wellbeing-among-older-australians">support</a> to use energy to maintain their health and well-being.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/older-australians-on-the-tough-choices-they-face-as-energy-costs-set-to-increase-180974">Older Australians on the tough choices they face as energy costs set to increase</a>
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<p>Heat exposure can <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/heatwaves#tab=tab_1">cause</a> dehydration, heat exhaustion and stress. It can also worsen existing <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/climate/Pages/how-climate-can-affect-health.aspx">health problems</a> such as heart and lung disease. As a result, heatwaves <a href="https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-022-08341-3">significantly increase</a> hospital admissions and deaths, killing <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420921006324">354 people</a> in Australia between 2000 and 2018. </p>
<p>Hot nights can also cause <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/20/global-heating-cutting-sleep-study-health-impacts">poor sleep</a> and have <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033350618302130?casa_token=myga3j6buToAAAAA:NW4Uv_qdbp7roLwcL4x-aGbzy6im8Gb3DKaD-9VZnAX6_T_GbdIJzKUWrOHue46iO1qiEhVdIQ">harmful impacts</a> on mental health. So, to protect your health, do what you can to keep cool this summer.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193723/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ross Gordon has received funding from The Australian Research Council, Energy Consumers Australia, and the Commonwealth Government. Ross is a member of the World Health Organization Technical Advisory Group on Behavioural Insights and Sciences for Health.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Gordon Waitt receives has received funding from The Australian Research Council, Energy Consumers Australia, and the Commonwealth Government.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Theresa Harada receives funding from the Australian Research Council and Energy Consumers Australia. </span></em></p>Soaring power bills add to people’s worries about keeping their homes cool, especially as their health can suffer if they don’t. Fortunately, there are effective and affordable ways to beat the heat.Ross Gordon, Professor, School of Advertising, Marketing & PR, Queensland University of TechnologyGordon Waitt, Professor of Geography, University of WollongongTheresa Harada, Research Fellow at Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space, University of WollongongLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1871932022-11-03T09:57:04Z2022-11-03T09:57:04ZThese air conditioner alternatives are cheaper – and better for the planet<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492833/original/file-20221101-18-kg948a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C5964%2C3978&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/fr/image-photo/woman-home-controlling-shutter-opening-513793750">Goodluz/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Heatwaves in numerous countries during 2022 sent all-time temperature records tumbling. On the day before the UK endured a shaded air temperature of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/19/day-of-40c-shocks-scientists-as-uk-heat-record-absolutely-obliterated">40°C</a> for the first time ever, the Met Office issued its first ever red alert for extreme heat, which meant that people needed to take extra care to keep cool and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england/beat-the-heat-staying-safe-in-hot-weather">avoid heat stroke</a>. </p>
<p>In countries like the US and Japan, that might mean staying indoors and cranking up the air conditioning. But air conditioners are still relatively rare in many European countries, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cooling-in-the-uk">including the UK</a>. Should increasingly brutal summer heat – and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/10/31/europe-extreme-heat-october-france/">uncomfortably warm autumns</a> – compel people to install them? </p>
<p>Actually, reasonable comfort can usually be maintained much more efficiently in a climate strongly influenced by the ocean, like the UK, with measures that use hardly any energy at all. These work to keep heat out, keep fresh air flowing and take advantage of the body’s natural ability to cool itself with evaporation.</p>
<p>Anyone considering an air conditioner should beware of ballooning energy bills. The compressors contained within consume sudden bursts of power. In places where air conditioning is common, the surge in demand during heatwaves can overwhelm local power networks. Blackouts result unless the increased electricity demand is met by backup generators, often gas turbines which can be fired up quickly. </p>
<p>All air conditioners compress refrigerant vapours such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons which are greenhouse gases thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide if they leak into the atmosphere.</p>
<p>It would be much better for the climate, household finances and <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/multiple-benefits-of-energy-efficiency/economic-benefits-2">the wider economy</a> if buildings were insulated with windows designed to capture sunshine in winter and external shades to keep it out in summer. This is known as <a href="https://archive.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg3/en/ch6s6-4-4-2.html">passive cooling</a> because no energy is needed to keep the temperature lower.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Silver ventilation pipes and vents criss-cross a ceiling." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492774/original/file-20221101-18-k7qr16.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492774/original/file-20221101-18-k7qr16.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492774/original/file-20221101-18-k7qr16.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492774/original/file-20221101-18-k7qr16.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492774/original/file-20221101-18-k7qr16.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492774/original/file-20221101-18-k7qr16.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492774/original/file-20221101-18-k7qr16.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Communal ventilation systems could supplant individual air conditioners in apartment buildings.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/ventilation-pipes-silver-insulation-material-hanging-1532329691">TY Lim/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Another alternative, especially if your building doesn’t have openable windows, is to use a mechanical ventilation system. These use fans to extract heat and indoor air pollution through ducts and sweep fresh air through rooms.</p>
<p>Any air conditioner you install will probably recirculate cooled indoor air rather than fresh air. Meanwhile, because mechanical ventilation systems channel cool air from outside and purge hot air, they can reduce temperatures in every nook and cranny for a fraction of the electricity that air-conditioning uses to constantly treat indoor air. </p>
<p>On days when the temperature is typically hotter outside the building than inside, ventilators can be used in the early morning when they can draw fresh air in at its coolest. If damp filters are installed in the ductwork, ventilation systems can cool a house further with no additional energy use.</p>
<p>From summer 2023, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overheating-approved-document-o">building regulations</a> will require new housing in England to adopt passive or low-energy cooling features such as mechanical ventilation. Where high temperatures linger late at night (think large urban areas like central London and Manchester) housing developers will need to provide either external shutters, window glazing that restricts the sun’s heat but admits light, or <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/159591/Doc_O_pic1.svg">awnings over south-facing windows</a>. </p>
<p>Newer buildings are more prone to overheating because they tend to be made from lighter materials that heat up quickly. These dwellings are usually better insulated too, which can serve to trap the heat. <a href="https://beeindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/EMSYS%20Manual_Web.pdf">Equipping</a> them in this way can reduce the need for air-conditioning.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A window with open, brown shutters." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492777/original/file-20221101-18-lc825m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492777/original/file-20221101-18-lc825m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492777/original/file-20221101-18-lc825m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492777/original/file-20221101-18-lc825m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492777/original/file-20221101-18-lc825m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492777/original/file-20221101-18-lc825m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492777/original/file-20221101-18-lc825m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Shutters are fairly easy to add and need no energy to cool homes.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/window-shutters-234418141">Denrz/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The London Assembly is mulling ways to <a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/decisions/add2488-roofs-designed-cool-programme">adapt existing homes</a> to extreme weather like heatwaves. The use of white-coloured roofing materials or paints to reflect more of the sun’s energy is one of the methods being <a href="https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Cool_roofs">considered</a>. </p>
<p>So-called “cool roofs” reflect visible rays of sunshine and radiate out invisible infrared heat from white surfaces, a trick deployed beautifully in a lot of traditional Greek architecture. Conventional insulation resists heat coming in but can also trap it indoors. Cool roofs allow heat to rise in your attic and escape from your roof to the sky. </p>
<h2>When air conditioning may be necessary</h2>
<p>People and horses are unique among mammals in our ability to regulate body temperature by secreting slightly salty water from millions of sweat pores in the skin. We can thrive in hot climates if we drink sufficient water – as long as our sweat continually evaporates in a breeze.</p>
<p>But at a certain threshold, sweat stops evaporating and accumulates. Humans cannot tolerate a wet-bulb temperature over 35°C (95°F) for long. Wet-bulb is the temperature of an object soaked in water as it is cooled by evaporation. This measure indicates the minimum temperature your skin can reach through sweating, while your core body temperature will be higher.</p>
<p>Whether a space is safe to occupy, and how much rest and rehydration is recommended, can be assessed by a combination of dry- and wet-bulb temperatures as well as exposure to the sun, producing a measure known as the <a href="https://www.weather.gov/tsa/wbgt">wet bulb globe temperature</a>. This takes into account the limits of sweating to cool you down during high humidity, as well as heat exposure from direct sunlight and that radiated from nearby surfaces like concrete. </p>
<p>A high wet bulb globe temperature is much more important in deciding whether air conditioning is needed than the dry-bulb temperature that weather forecasts report. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112088">My research</a> identified where air-conditioning is a necessity: essentially, when there are ten days per year where the wet bulb globe temperature exceeds 29°C (85°F). </p>
<p>I showed that this is <a href="https://bioclimatic.github.io/UK/">a reasonable guide</a> for situations where air-conditioned shelters ought to be opened to the public. Nowhere in the UK has the Met Office (yet) measured so many stressful days in one year that air-conditioning is generally recommended using this guide.</p>
<p>But there are sun-drenched streets flanked by buildings on both sides (known as urban canyons) where weather stations are not installed, and the inside of badly designed buildings that become <a href="https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Overheating_in_buildings">overheated</a>. In such places, you might need to escape to an air-conditioned shelter or find sanctuary in a wooded park.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/187193/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Eric Laurentius Peterson is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, where he volunteers as Secretary of ASHRAE Technical Committee TC4.2 Climatic Information.</span></em></p>Air conditioners are rare in some European countries, but the climate crisis could change that.Eric Laurentius Peterson, Visiting Research Fellow (Bioclimatic Design), University of LeedsLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1911722022-09-22T12:40:54Z2022-09-22T12:40:54ZCooling conundrum: HFCs were the ‘safer’ replacement for another damaging chemical in refrigerators and air conditioners – with a treaty now phasing them out, what’s next?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/486032/original/file-20220922-8022-dozc1l.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=707%2C715%2C5018%2C3112&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Air conditioners are one source of leaking HFCs.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/apartment-building-in-upper-west-of-manhattan-royalty-free-image/502986175?adppopup=true">Bruce Yuanyue Bi/The Image Bank via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The U.S. Senate voted to ratify an <a href="https://www.state.gov/u-s-ratification-of-the-kigali-amendment/">international treaty</a> on Sept. 21, 2022, agreeing to phase out a class of climate-warming chemicals that are widely used as coolants in refrigerators, air conditioners and heat pumps.</p>
<p>If you’re getting a sense of déjà vu, don’t be surprised.</p>
<p>These chemicals, called hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, were commercialized in the 1990s as a <a href="http://doi.org/10.1126/science.1216414">replacement for earlier refrigerants</a> that were based on chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs. CFCs were destroying the ozone layer high in the Earth’s atmosphere, which is essential for protecting life from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.</p>
<p>HFCs are less harmful than CFCs, but they create another problem – they have a <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/safeguarding-the-ozone-layer-and-the-global-climate-system/">strong heat-trapping effect</a> that is contributing to global warming.</p>
<p>If HFCs can be phased down globally – as <a href="https://ozone.unep.org/all-ratifications">many countries</a> have agreed to do under the 2016 Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the treaty just <a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1172/vote_117_2_00343.htm">ratified by the U.S. Senate on a bipartisan vote</a> – that would <a href="https://csl.noaa.gov/news/2016/196_1016.html">avoid about half a degree Celsius</a> of temperature rise compared to preindustrial times. <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/experts/alex-hillbrand/china-accepts-kigali-amendment-will-phase-down-hfcs">China</a>, a major producer of these chemicals, ratified the amendment effective Sept. 15, 2021. And the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized <a href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/us-will-dramatically-cut-climate-damaging-greenhouse-gases-new-program-aimed-chemicals">a rule</a> in 2021 to cut HFCs production and imports.</p>
<p>Let’s take a closer look at what HFCs are and what might replace them next.</p>
<h2>How HFCs keep rooms and food cool</h2>
<p>Refrigerators and air conditioning use a technology known as a heat pump. It sounds almost miraculous – heat pumps use energy to take heat out of a cold place and dump it in a warm place.</p>
<p>Here’s <a href="https://www.danfoss.com/en/about-danfoss/our-businesses/cooling/the-fridge-how-it-works">how a refrigerator works</a>: A fluid – CFCs back in the old days, and now HFCs – circulates in the walls of the refrigerator, absorbing the ambient heat to keep the fridge cooled down. As that liquid absorbs the heat, it evaporates. The resulting vapor is pumped to the coils on the back of the refrigerator, where it is condensed back to a liquid under pressure. In the process, the heat that was absorbed from inside the fridge is released into the surrounding room. </p>
<p>Air conditioners and home heat pumps do the same thing: they use electric-powered compressors and evaporators to move heat into or out of a house.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/viM36llqxCU?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">How a refrigerator works.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Choosing the right fluid for a refrigerator means finding a substance that can be evaporated and condensed at the right temperatures by changing the pressure on the fluid.</p>
<p>CFCs seemed to fit the bill perfectly. They didn’t react with the tubing or compressors to corrode the equipment, and <a href="https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/hats/publictn/elkins/cfcs.html">they weren’t toxic or flammable</a>. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, the chemical stability of CFCs turned out to be a problem that threatened the whole world, as scientists discovered in the 1980s. Leaking CFCs, mostly from discarded equipment, remain in the atmosphere for a long time. Eventually they make their way to the stratosphere, where they are finally destroyed by UV radiation from the sun. But when they break down, they create chlorine that reacts with the protective ozone, letting dangerous radiation through to the Earth’s surface. </p>
<p>When production of CFCs was eliminated in the 1990s to protect the ozone layer, new refrigerants were developed and the industry shifted to HFCs.</p>
<h2>Why HFCs are a climate problem</h2>
<p>HFCs are like CFCs but much more reactive in air, so they never reach the stratosphere where they could harm Earth’s protective radiation shield. They largely saved the world from impending ozone disaster, and they are now found in refrigerators and heat pumps everywhere.</p>
<p>But while HFCs’ <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-hydrofluorocarbons-saved-the-ozone-layer-so-why-are-we-banning-them-86672">chemical reactivity</a> prevents them from depleting the ozone layer, their molecular structure allows them to absorb a lot of thermal radiation, making them a greenhouse gas. Like carbon dioxide on steroids, HFCs are extremely good at capturing infrared photons emitted by the Earth. Some of this radiant energy warms the climate.</p>
<p>Unlike carbon dixoide, reactive HFCs are consumed by chemistry in the air, so they only warm the climate for a decade or two. But a little bit goes a long way – each HFC molecule absorbs thousands of times as much heat as a carbon dixoide molecule, making them powerful climate pollutants.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Chart showing increase by country, with the largest increase in China." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/398515/original/file-20210504-17-1y4xkj8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/398515/original/file-20210504-17-1y4xkj8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=616&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/398515/original/file-20210504-17-1y4xkj8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=616&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/398515/original/file-20210504-17-1y4xkj8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=616&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/398515/original/file-20210504-17-1y4xkj8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=775&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/398515/original/file-20210504-17-1y4xkj8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=775&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/398515/original/file-20210504-17-1y4xkj8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=775&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The chart shows what HFCs’ growth was expected to look like before the Kigali Amendment or other control measures were in place.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.rivm.nl/en/hydrofluorocarbons/contribution-of-hfcs-to-greenhouse-effect">Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>HFCs <a href="https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/17/2795/2017/acp-17-2795-2017.pdf">leaking from discarded cooling equipment</a> are estimated to contribute about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions – about twice as much as aviation.</p>
<p>This is why it’s time to retire HFCs and swap them out for alternative refrigerants. They’ve done their job saving the ozone layer, but now HFCs are a major contributor to short-term global warming, and their <a href="https://www.ccacoalition.org/en/initiatives/hfc">use has been increasing</a> as demand for cooling increases around the world.</p>
<h2>What can replace HFCs?</h2>
<p>Because they are so powerful and short-lived, stopping the production and use of HFCs can have a <a href="https://www.drawdown.org/solutions/alternative-refrigerants">significant cooling effect</a> on the climate over the next couple of decades, buying time as the world converts its energy supply from fossil fuels to cleaner sources.</p>
<p>The good news is that there are <a href="https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/choosing-new-system">alternative refrigerants</a>.</p>
<p>Ammonia and hydrocarbons like butane evaporate at room temperature and have been used as refrigerants since the early 20th century. These gases are short-lived, but they have a downside. Their greater reactivity means their compressors and plumbing have to be more corrosion-resistant and leak-proof to be safe. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Rows of freezer cases in a store." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/398507/original/file-20210504-15-1a8c5p2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C7%2C4653%2C3396&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/398507/original/file-20210504-15-1a8c5p2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/398507/original/file-20210504-15-1a8c5p2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/398507/original/file-20210504-15-1a8c5p2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/398507/original/file-20210504-15-1a8c5p2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/398507/original/file-20210504-15-1a8c5p2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/398507/original/file-20210504-15-1a8c5p2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Designing refrigeration equipment for different chemicals will likely mean retooling the industry, which could raise costs.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/freezer-cases-in-supermarket-royalty-free-image/1134353358">Mint Image via Getty Images</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The chemical industry has been developing newer alternatives intended to be safer for both people and climate, but as we saw with CFCs and HFCs, inert chemicals can have unintended consequence. Several industry leaders have <a href="https://www.ahrinet.org/news-events/news/ahri-commemorates-montreal-protocol-anniversary-applauds-pending-senate-consideration-kigali">supported efforts to phase out HFCs</a>.</p>
<p>So, it’s time for another generation of cooling equipment. Just as TVs and audio equipment and light bulbs have evolved over past decades, refrigerators and air conditioners will be replaced by a new wave of improved products. New refrigerators will look and work just like the ones we’re used to, but they will be much gentler on the climate system.</p>
<p><em>This updates <a href="https://theconversation.com/us-china-commit-to-phase-down-climate-warming-hfcs-from-refrigerators-and-air-conditioners-but-what-will-replace-them-this-time-160241">an article</a> originally published on May 4, 2021, with the U.S. Senate ratifying the Kigali Amendment.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/191172/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Scott Denning does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The US Senate voted to ratify the Kigali Amendment, agreeing on a bipartisan vote to phase down climate-warming HFCs. Now what?Scott Denning, Professor of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1885062022-09-01T12:25:30Z2022-09-01T12:25:30ZThe most cost-effective energy efficiency investments you can make – and how the new Inflation Reduction Act could help<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480864/original/file-20220824-7032-sfaz1f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=880%2C428%2C6487%2C4214&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Weatherization and new windows are big money and energy savers.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/father-and-son-together-checking-roof-window-in-royalty-free-image/865310586">Jasmin Merdan via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Energy efficiency can save homeowners and renters hundreds of dollars a year, and the new <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text">Inflation Reduction Act</a> includes a wealth of home improvement rebates and tax incentives to help Americans secure those saving.</p>
<p>It <a href="https://www.rewiringamerica.org/policy/inflation-reduction-act">extends tax credits</a> for installing energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners or heat pumps, as well as for home energy audits. It also offers <a href="https://www.rewiringamerica.org/policy/high-efficiency-electric-home-rebate-act">rebates for low- and moderate-income households</a>’ efficiency improvements, up to US$14,000 per home.</p>
<p>Together, these incentives aim to cut energy costs for consumers who use them by <a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/inflation_reduction_act_one_page_summary.pdf">$500 to $1,000 per year</a> and reduce the nation’s climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions.</p>
<p>With so many options, what are the most cost-effective moves homeowners and renters can make?</p>
<p><a href="https://jasminaburek.com/">My lab</a> at UMass Lowell works on ways to improve sustainability in buildings and homes by finding cost-effective design solutions to decrease their energy demand and carbon footprint. There are two key ways to cut energy use: energy-efficient upgrades and behavior change. Each has clear winners.</p>
<h2>Stop the leaks</h2>
<p>The biggest payoff for both saving money and reducing emissions is weatherizing the home to stop leaks. Losing cool air in summer and warm air in winter means heating and cooling systems run more, and they’re among the most energy-intensive systems in a home.</p>
<p>Gaps along the baseboard where the wall meets the floor and at windows, doors, pipes, fireplace dampers and electrical outlets are all prime spots for drafts. Fixing those leaks can cut a home’s entire energy use by about 6%, on average, by our estimates. And it’s cheap, since those fixes mostly involve <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/caulking">caulk</a> and <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/weatherstripping">weather stripping</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480276/original/file-20220822-66815-9t0pw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Illustration of a house showing common air leaks, primarily in the attic and along walls and vents." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480276/original/file-20220822-66815-9t0pw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480276/original/file-20220822-66815-9t0pw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=657&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480276/original/file-20220822-66815-9t0pw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=657&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480276/original/file-20220822-66815-9t0pw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=657&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480276/original/file-20220822-66815-9t0pw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=825&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480276/original/file-20220822-66815-9t0pw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=825&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480276/original/file-20220822-66815-9t0pw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=825&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Common places where homes leak – and where weatherization measures can save money.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/seal_insulate/identify_problems_you_want_fix/diy_checks_inspections">Department of Energy</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Inflation Reduction Act offers homeowners a hand. It includes a $150 rebate to help pay for a home energy audit that can locate leaks. </p>
<p>While a professional audit can help, it isn’t essential – the Department of Energy website offers guidance for <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/detecting-air-leaks">doing your own inspection</a>. </p>
<p>Once you find the leaks, the act includes 30% tax credits with a maximum of $1,200 a year for basic weatherization work, plus <a href="https://www.rewiringamerica.org/policy/high-efficiency-electric-home-rebate-act">rebates up to $1,600</a> for low- and moderate-income homeowners earning less than 150% of the local median.</p>
<h2>Replace windows</h2>
<p>Replacing windows is more expensive upfront but <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/adding-insulation-existing-home">can save a lot of money</a> on energy costs. Leaky windows and doors are responsible for <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/update-or-replace-windows">25% to 30% of residential heating and cooling costs</a>, according to Department of Energy estimates.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/where-insulate-home">Insulation can also reduce energy loss</a>. But with the exception of older homes with poor insulation and homes facing extreme temperatures, it generally doesn’t have as high of a payoff in whole-house energy savings as weatherization or window replacement.</p>
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<p>The Inflation Reduction Act includes up to $600 to help pay for window replacement and $250 to replace an exterior door.</p>
<h2>Upgrade appliances, especially HVAC and dryers</h2>
<p>Buildings cumulatively are <a href="https://www.energy.gov/downloads/chapter-5-increasing-efficiency-buildings-systems-and-technologies">responsible for about 40%</a> of U.S. energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, and a <a href="https://constructionphysics.substack.com/p/every-building-in-america-an-analysis">significant share</a> of that is in homes. Heating is typically the main energy use.</p>
<p>Among appliances, upgrading air conditioners and clothes dryers results in the largest environmental and cost benefits; however, HVAC systems – heating, ventilation and air conditioning – come with some of the highest upfront costs.</p>
<p>That includes energy-efficient <a href="https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2022/05/25/what-are-upfront-and-lifetime-costs-of-heat-pumps/">electric heat pumps</a>, which both heat and cool a home. The Inflation Reduction Act offers a 30% tax credit up to $2,000 available to anyone who purchases and installs a heat pump, in addition to rebates of up to $8,000 for <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/inflation-reduction-act-and-new-electric-appliance-rebates-a3460144904/">low- and moderate-income households</a> earning less than 150% of the local median income. Some high-efficiency wood-burning stoves also qualify.</p>
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<p>The act <a href="https://www.rewiringamerica.org/app/ira-calculator">also provides rebates</a> for low- and moderate-income households for electric stoves of up to $840, heat-pump water heaters of up to $1,750 and heat-pump clothes dryers of up to $840.</p>
<h2>Change your behavior in a few easy steps</h2>
<p>You can also make a pretty big difference without federal incentives by changing your habits. My dad was energy-efficient before it was hip. His “hobby” was to turn off the lights. This action itself has been among the most cost-saving behavioral changes. </p>
<p>Just turning out the lights for an hour a day can <a href="http://www.opasnet.org/testiwiki/index.php/Handprinter">save a home up to $65 per year</a>. Replacing old lightbulbs with LED lighting also cuts energy use. They’re more expensive, but they save money on energy costs.</p>
<p><iframe id="7EzFF" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/7EzFF/8/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>We found that a homeowner could <a href="http://www.opasnet.org/testiwiki/index.php/Handprinter">save $265 per year</a> and reduce emissions even more by adopting a few behavioral changes including unplugging appliances not being used, line-drying clothes, lowering the water heater temperature, setting the thermostat 1 degree warmer at night in summer or 1 degree cooler in winter, turning off lights for an hour a day, and going tech-free for an hour a day.</p>
<p>Some appliances are <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vampire-energy-dont-be-a-sucker-switch-it-off">energy vampires</a> – they draw electricity when plugged in even if you’re not using them. One study in Northern California found that plugged-in devices, such as TVs, cable boxes, computers and smart appliances, that weren’t being used were responsible for <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/resources/home-idle-load-devices-wasting-huge-amounts-electricity-when-not-active-use">as much as 23% of electricity consumption</a> in homes.</p>
<h2>Start with a passive solar home</h2>
<p>If you’re looking for a home to rent or buy, or even to build, you can make an even bigger difference by looking at how it’s built and powered.</p>
<p><a href="https://cshub.mit.edu/sites/default/files/images/0601%20Building%20LCA%20Brief_0.pdf">Passive solar homes</a> take advantage of local climate and site conditions, such as having lots of south-facing windows to capture solar energy during cool months to reduce home energy use as much as possible. Then they meet the remaining energy demand with on-site solar energy.</p>
<p>Studies show that for homeowners in cold climates, building a <a href="https://cshub.mit.edu/news/research-brief-passive-houses-and-zero-energy-buildings">passive design home</a> could cut their energy cost by 14% compared with an average home. That’s before taking solar panels into account.</p>
<p>The Inflation Reduction Act offers a <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/alternative-energy/how-the-residential-clean-energy-solar-tax-credit-works-a1771685058/">30% tax credit</a> for rooftop solar and geothermal heating, plus accompanying battery storage, as well as incentives for community solar – larger solar systems owned by several homeowners. It also includes a $5,000 tax credit for developers to build homes to the Energy Department’s <a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/downloads/doe-zero-energy-ready-home-national-program-requirements-rev-07">Zero Energy Ready Homes standard</a>.</p>
<p>The entire energy and climate package – including incentives for utility-scale renewable energy, carbon capture and electric vehicles – could have a big impact for homeowners’ energy costs and the climate. According to several <a href="https://repeatproject.org/docs/REPEAT_IRA_Prelminary_Report_2022-08-04.pdf">estimates</a>, it has the potential to reduce U.S. carbon emissions by <a href="https://rhg.com/research/climate-clean-energy-inflation-reduction-act/">about 40%</a> by the end of this decade.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/188506/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jasmina Burek does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Cutting a home’s energy waste starts with stopping the leaks. Energy-efficient appliances and windows can make a difference, too.Jasmina Burek, Assistant Professor of Engineering, UMass LowellLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1871432022-08-25T04:17:42Z2022-08-25T04:17:42ZSpare a thought for air-conditioning repair people. As the planet warms, they’re really up against it<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480986/original/file-20220825-16-t80kde.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=192%2C0%2C4392%2C2584&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>More frequent and extreme weather associated with climate change is creating uncertainty across society. In particular, it raises <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20438206221088381">challenges</a> for the workers required to fix and maintain things. In a warming world this includes equipment such as air-conditioning and refrigeration.</p>
<p>These workers are essential for helping society adapt to climate change. Air-conditioning provides the space cooling that supports our everyday lives. Refrigeration underpins global <a href="https://www.unido.org/our-focus-safeguarding-environment-implementation-multilateral-environmental-agreements-montreal-protocol/energy-efficient-and-green-cold-chain">food supply chains</a>, health care, agriculture and more. </p>
<p>Despite the significance of this workforce, it remains largely under the radar. These workers face difficulties such as heat stress and skills shortages. They also play an important role in climate mitigation by installing more efficient appliances – work that is largely undervalued.</p>
<p>Next week’s national <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/publication/2022-302672">jobs and skills summit</a> will focus, among other issues, on the energy transition. But it should also consider other workers at the frontline of climate change.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Blue cabin with three A/C units on outside" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480992/original/file-20220825-17-6rnapv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480992/original/file-20220825-17-6rnapv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480992/original/file-20220825-17-6rnapv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480992/original/file-20220825-17-6rnapv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480992/original/file-20220825-17-6rnapv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480992/original/file-20220825-17-6rnapv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480992/original/file-20220825-17-6rnapv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">As climate change worsens, air-conditioning will become even more crucial to keeping homes liveable.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">AAP</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>‘Work up on the roof which is 60°C’</h2>
<p>My research looks at the work of skilled trades, particularly in the area of repair and maintenance. Along with a team of <a href="https://betterwaystowork.com.au/about/">engineers and social scientists</a> at the University of Wollongong, I have been researching the air-conditioning and refrigeration sector. </p>
<p>The team was commissioned by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources to research maintenance practices in commercial office buildings. Many issues we found were also common across other building types, including hotels, aged-care facilities and shopping centres. </p>
<p><a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20438206221088381">The study</a> comprised a large industry survey, 70 in-depth interviews, and four focus groups with building contractors and facilities managers. Our team also accompanied workers as they responded to service calls and undertook routine maintenance in buildings.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-uk-just-hit-40-for-the-first-time-its-a-stark-reminder-of-the-deadly-heat-awaiting-australia-187347">The UK just hit 40℃ for the first time. It's a stark reminder of the deadly heat awaiting Australia</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The installation, maintenance and repair of domestic and commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning helps provide cooling and comfortable indoor environments – an increasingly challenging task as average global temperatures <a href="https://theconversation.com/cities-could-get-more-than-4-c-hotter-by-2100-to-keep-cool-in-australia-we-urgently-need-a-national-planning-policy-152680">rise</a>. </p>
<p>Australia’s building stock is ill-equipped for climate change. Much of it is poorly insulated, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/houses-for-a-warmer-future-are-currently-restricted-by-australias-building-code-120072">relies on</a> electrical appliances to stay warm or cool.</p>
<p>This puts air-conditioning workers at the centre of climate adaptation – a job not without risk. Heat stress is already an issue for Australian workers, affecting not just their <a href="https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-020-00641-7">health and safety</a> but also <a href="https://www3.nd.edu/%7Enmark/Climate/ZanderEtAlHeatStress.pdf">productivity</a>. </p>
<p>As one professional in the air-conditioning industry explained:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Call someone out when it’s 40°C […] all of a sudden the (contractor) is going to go work up on the roof which is 60°C, which is probably a workplace health and safety issue that no one knows about because it’s hidden. </p>
</blockquote>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="two men servicing air conditioning outside building" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480991/original/file-20220825-26-n92lo7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480991/original/file-20220825-26-n92lo7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480991/original/file-20220825-26-n92lo7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480991/original/file-20220825-26-n92lo7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480991/original/file-20220825-26-n92lo7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480991/original/file-20220825-26-n92lo7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480991/original/file-20220825-26-n92lo7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Air-conditioning repair work can pose health and safety risks.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Maintenance: it actually matters</h2>
<p>Together, air-conditioning and refrigeration account for <a href="https://iifiir.org/en/fridoc/the-role-of-refrigeration-in-the-global-economy-2015-138763">about 17%</a> of global energy consumption. The industry’s workers can help address this by educating consumers about, and installing, more efficient appliances. The timely maintenance of air-conditioning and fridges can also reduce system energy consumption.</p>
<p>However, building owners are not always convinced of the need to upgrade equipment or carry out preventative maintenance. For example, it’s estimated up to <a href="https://new.gbca.org.au/news/gbca-media-releases/cbd-program-opens-door-energy-efficiency-opportunities">80,000</a> commercial buildings in Australia need energy efficiency upgrades – many of them due to air-conditioning systems that are decades old. </p>
<p>Industry contractors told us cooling and ventilation systems are frequently “run to fail”, consuming excess energy and increasing the risk of overloading the broader electricity network. As one worker said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>if we unpack this problem properly, and got preventative maintenance done two months out before summer, we get… all the peak demand issues get reduced, we get reliability.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Upgrading air-conditioning and refrigeration systems is a significant economic and environmental opportunity. But this requires workers, and the sector has struggled to recruit. </p>
<p>Industry figures suggest about 1,600 people <a href="https://nationalindustryinsights.aisc.net.au/industries/electrotechnology/refrigeration-and-air-conditioning">each year</a> start an apprenticeship or traineeship in the refrigeration and air-conditioning trade across Australia. But fewer than half complete the training, pointing to attrition problems. </p>
<p>The industry needs a strong pipeline of skilled workers. Any workforce shortages could seriously inhibit Australia’s capacity to adapt to and mitigate climate change.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="large ventilation and A/C unit on buillding" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480994/original/file-20220825-12-8jdphm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/480994/original/file-20220825-12-8jdphm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480994/original/file-20220825-12-8jdphm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480994/original/file-20220825-12-8jdphm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480994/original/file-20220825-12-8jdphm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480994/original/file-20220825-12-8jdphm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/480994/original/file-20220825-12-8jdphm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Building owners don’t always appreciate the need for preventative maintenance on air-conditioning systems.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">AAP</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Helping people and the planet</h2>
<p>There’s an urgent need to look more closely at the skills required to deliver the energy transition and help humans survive on a warmer planet. </p>
<p>Workers in air-conditioning and refrigeration are just a few of the many skilled professionals we’ll lean on heavily in the coming years and decades. Helping these workers meet the challenges ahead should be a national priority – and doing so will help both people and the planet.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/itll-be-impossible-to-replace-fossil-fuels-with-renewables-by-2050-unless-we-cut-our-energy-consumption-189131">It’ll be impossible to replace fossil fuels with renewables by 2050, unless we cut our energy consumption</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/187143/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Chantel Carr receives funding from the Australian Research Council. This work was commissioned and funded by the Australian Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (now DCCEW). Dan Daly, Elyse Stanes, Matt Daly and Pauline McGuirk contributed to the broader research from which this article was drawn.</span></em></p>Hot rooftops and a looming skills shortage – these are just a few challenges faced by crucial yet undervalued air-conditioning repair people.Chantel Carr, ARC DECRA Fellow, School of Geography and Sustainable Communities, University of WollongongLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1886942022-08-22T12:26:39Z2022-08-22T12:26:39ZDoes turning the air conditioning off when you’re not home actually save energy? Three engineers run the numbers<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479979/original/file-20220818-164-78ogjl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=125%2C440%2C4534%2C3054&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Is it better to cool your house all day, or adjust the A/C setting on your way out the door?</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/father-carrying-son-on-shoulders-adjusting-royalty-free-image/668763443">Westend61 via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Hot summer days can mean high electricity bills. People want to stay comfortable without wasting energy and money. Maybe your household has fought over the best strategy for cooling your space. Which is more efficient: running the air conditioning all summer long without break, or turning it off during the day when you’re not there to enjoy it? </p>
<p>We are a <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=dXCbQqMAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao">team of architectural</a> <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=TAOTdN4AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao">and building systems</a> <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=AdHh9wwAAAAJ&hl=en">engineers</a> who used energy models that simulate heat transfer and A/C system performance to tackle this perennial question: Will you need to remove more heat from your home by continuously removing heat throughout the day or removing excess heat only at the end of the day?</p>
<p>The answer boils down to how energy intensive it is to remove heat from your home. It’s influenced by many factors such as how well your house is insulated, the size and type of your air conditioner and outdoor temperature and humidity. </p>
<p>According to our unpublished calculations, letting your home heat up while you’re out at work and cooling it when you get home can use less energy than keeping it consistently cool – but it depends.</p>
<h2>Blast A/C all day, even when you’re away?</h2>
<p>First, think about how heat accumulates in the first place. It flows into your home when the building has less stored heat than outside. If the amount of heat flowing into your home is given by a rate of “1 unit per hour,” your A/C will always have 1 unit of heat to remove every hour. If you turn off your A/C and let the heat accumulate, you could have up to eight hours’ worth of heat at the end of the day.</p>
<p>It’s often less than that, though – homes have a limit to how much heat they can store. And the amount of heat that enters your home depends on how hot the building was to begin with. For example, if your home can only store 5 units of thermal energy before coming to an equilibrium with the outdoor air temperature, then at the end of the day you will only ever have to remove 5 units of heat at most.</p>
<p>Additionally, as your home heats up, the process of heat transfer slows down; eventually it reaches zero heat transfer at equilibrium, when the temperature inside is the same as the temperature outside. Your A/C also cools less effectively in extreme heat, so keeping it off during the hottest parts of the day can increase overall efficiency of the system. These effects mean there’s no one straightforward answer to whether you should blast the A/C all day or wait until you get back home in the evening.</p>
<h2>Energy used by different A/C strategies</h2>
<p>Consider a test case of a small home with typical insulation in two warm climates: dry (Arizona) and humid (Georgia). Using <a href="https://www.nrel.gov/buildings/beopt.html">energy modeling software</a> created by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory for analyzing energy use in residential buildings, we looked at multiple test cases for energy use in this hypothetical 1,200 square-foot (110 square-meter) home.</p>
<p>We considered three temperature strategy scenarios. One has the indoor temperature set to a constant 76 degrees Fahrenheit (24.4 degrees Celsius). A second lets the temperature float up to 89 F (31.6 C) during an eight-hour workday – a “setback.” The last uses a temperature setback to 89 F (31.6 C) for a short four-hour workday. </p>
<p>Within these three scenarios, we looked at three different A/C technologies: a single stage <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/central-air-conditioning">central A/C</a>, a <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/air-source-heat-pumps">central air source heat pump (ASHP)</a> and <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/ductless-mini-split-heat-pumps">minisplit heat pump units</a>. Central A/C units are typical of current residential buildings, while heat pumps are gaining popularity due to their improved efficiency. Central ASHPs are easily used in one-to-one replacements of central A/C units; minisplits are more efficient than central A/C but costly to set up.</p>
<p>We wanted to see how energy use from A/C varied across these cases. We knew that regardless of the HVAC technology used, the A/C system would surge when the thermostat setpoint returned to 76 F (24.4 C) and also for all three cases in the late afternoon when outdoor air temperatures are usually the highest. In the setback cases, we programmed the A/C to start cooling the space before the resident is back, ensuring thermal comfort by the time they get home.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479976/original/file-20220818-27-qstjim.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Six line graphs that show how the temperature in the house and the energy used vary with the outdoor heat." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479976/original/file-20220818-27-qstjim.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479976/original/file-20220818-27-qstjim.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479976/original/file-20220818-27-qstjim.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479976/original/file-20220818-27-qstjim.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479976/original/file-20220818-27-qstjim.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479976/original/file-20220818-27-qstjim.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479976/original/file-20220818-27-qstjim.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Energy models can show how much energy a house will use under particular conditions – like Phoenix’s hot, dry summer weather. The researchers ran the numbers on three different HVAC technologies and three different temperature-setting strategies.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Pigott/Scheib/Baker/CU Boulder</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479978/original/file-20220818-10466-krvwf2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Six line graphs that show how the temperature in the house and the energy used vary with the outdoor heat." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479978/original/file-20220818-10466-krvwf2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479978/original/file-20220818-10466-krvwf2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479978/original/file-20220818-10466-krvwf2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479978/original/file-20220818-10466-krvwf2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479978/original/file-20220818-10466-krvwf2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479978/original/file-20220818-10466-krvwf2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479978/original/file-20220818-10466-krvwf2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The researchers used the same three different HVAC technologies and three temperature-setting strategies, but this time for a house in hot and humid Atlanta.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Pigott/Scheib/Baker/CU Boulder</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>What we found was that even when the A/C temporarily spikes to recover from the higher indoor temperatures, the overall energy consumption in the setback cases is still less than when maintaining a constant temperature throughout the day. On an annual scale with a conventional central A/C, this could result in energy savings of up to 11%.</p>
<p>However, the energy savings may decrease if the home is better insulated, the A/C is more efficient or the climate has less dramatic temperature swings.</p>
<p><iframe id="tM9v0" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/tM9v0/2/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe id="Wppk7" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Wppk7/7/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>The central air source heat pump and minisplit heat pump are more efficient overall but yield less savings from temperature setbacks. An eight-hour setback on weekdays provides savings regardless of the system type, while the benefits gleaned from a four-hour setback are less straightforward.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/188694/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Aisling Pigott receives funding from the Department of Energy. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jennifer Scheib receives funding from the Department of Energy. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Kyri Baker receives funding from the Department of Energy, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the National Science Foundation.</span></em></p>Energy modeling software provides insight into whether letting your A/C relax while you’re gone all day will save you energy – and money.Aisling Pigott, Ph.D. Student in Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado BoulderJennifer Scheib, Assistant Teaching Professor of Building Systems Engineering, University of Colorado BoulderKyri Baker, Assistant Professor of Building Systems Engineering, University of Colorado BoulderLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1882722022-08-18T12:40:17Z2022-08-18T12:40:17ZConditions in prisons during heat waves pose deadly threats to incarcerated people and prison staff<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479463/original/file-20220816-22-1bjelf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C5607%2C3732&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Prisons in more than a dozen U.S. states are not fully air-conditioned. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/barbed-wire-fence-in-jail-royalty-free-image/168859873">Leo Patrizi/Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Extreme heat is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/24/weather/us-extreme-heat-sunday/index.html">taking an increasing toll</a> across the U.S. in summertime. People who are incarcerated are <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/02/10/prisoners-are-among-most-vulnerable-people-us/">among society’s most vulnerable groups</a> and have been especially affected. During Texas’s June 2023 heat wave, <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/28/texas-prisons-heat-deaths/">at least nine inmates died in prisons lacking air conditioning</a> of heart attacks or unknown causes.</p>
<p>More than a <a href="https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2019/06/18/air-conditioning/">dozen states</a> do not have air conditioning in all of their prison units, including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. In Texas, where I work, only <a href="https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/most-texas-prisons-are-not-fully-air-conditioned-a-house-bill-aims-to-change-that/273-4566a308-4757-4cdb-8958-9ffb2abdbff1">about 30% of prisons are fully air-conditioned</a>. Many of these states also face some of the <a href="https://firststreet.org/research-lab/published-research/article-highlights-from-hazardous-heat/">highest heat risks in the U.S.</a>, according to recent studies.</p>
<p>Prisons concentrate hundreds or thousands of people in buildings that were designed <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/27/us/two-lawsuits-challenge-the-lack-of-air-conditioning-in-texas-prisons.html">without planning for extreme heat and heat waves</a>. Prison building materials and designs can <a href="https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2019/06/18/air-conditioning/">increase exposure to heat</a> for people inside.</p>
<p>Some states require prisons to <a href="https://law.utexas.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2015/05/2014-HRC-USA-DeadlyHeat-Report.pdf">maintain indoor temperatures within certain ranges</a>. Texas does not regulate temperatures in prisons, but county and private municipal jails overseen by the <a href="https://www.tcjs.state.tx.us/">Texas Commission on Jail Standards</a> must be kept between 65 and 85 F (18-30 C). There are no comparable federal standards.</p>
<p>I study how hazards and disasters <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/J-Purdum">affect people who are incarcerated</a>. In a <a href="https://tamucoa-juiceboxinteract.netdna-ssl.com/app/uploads/2022/07/22-01R.pdf">recently published report</a>, my colleague <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JMTzw-QAAAAJ&hl=en">Benika Dixon</a> and I partnered with <a href="https://www.tpcadvocates.org/about-us">Texas Prisons Community Advocates</a>, a nonprofit that works to improve conditions in Texas prisons, to find out how incarcerated people in the state experience heat without air conditioning. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479468/original/file-20220816-8398-ypmo8j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Chart showing heat-related health risks from various temperature and humidity combinations." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479468/original/file-20220816-8398-ypmo8j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479468/original/file-20220816-8398-ypmo8j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=351&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479468/original/file-20220816-8398-ypmo8j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=351&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479468/original/file-20220816-8398-ypmo8j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=351&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479468/original/file-20220816-8398-ypmo8j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=441&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479468/original/file-20220816-8398-ypmo8j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=441&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479468/original/file-20220816-8398-ypmo8j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=441&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">This heat index chart shows the likelihood of heat disorders based on combined temperature and humidity.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-index">National Weather Service</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Surveys that we collected between late 2018 and 2020 from over 300 people in state prisons in Texas showed that many of them grapple with the health impacts of heat, and that prisons are struggling to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths among prisoners. Prison staff are also exposed to extreme heat.</p>
<h2>Minimal resources for cooling</h2>
<p>High temperatures are particularly dangerous in prisons because incarcerated people tend to be more vulnerable to heat. People in prison have high rates of <a href="https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/chronicpunishment.html">chronic illness, mental health conditions and disabilities</a>, and a large share are <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2016/03/17/elderly-inmates-burden-state-prisons">over the age of 50</a>. </p>
<p>In Texas, at least 23 incarcerated people have <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2019/02/19/texas-prison-heat-death/">died from heat illness since 1998</a>. Heat exacerbates other underlying physical and mental health conditions, so the actual number of heat-related deaths in Texas prisons is likely much higher.</p>
<p>In prisons without air conditioning, staff can’t prevent incarcerated people from being exposed to heat. Fans and blowers do little to actually lower temperatures inside units. </p>
<p>Instead, staff provide water, ice, additional showers and access to limited zones that have air conditioning. These so-called “respite areas” often are prison education buildings, chapels and infirmaries. Prison staff also perform wellness checks on prisoners who they have identified as particularly vulnerable to heat.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479470/original/file-20220816-10934-y3ajie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A large vertical fan blows air toward incarcerated people on bunk beds" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479470/original/file-20220816-10934-y3ajie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479470/original/file-20220816-10934-y3ajie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479470/original/file-20220816-10934-y3ajie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479470/original/file-20220816-10934-y3ajie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479470/original/file-20220816-10934-y3ajie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479470/original/file-20220816-10934-y3ajie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/479470/original/file-20220816-10934-y3ajie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A cooling fan at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Holliday Unit near Huntsville, Texas, June 20, 2014.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TexasPrisonsHeat/776133c6f300470696221bdd4767fe30/photo">AP Photo/Michael Graczyk</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Not enough water or cool spaces</h2>
<p>Many responses to our surveys described facilities with too many people and not enough resources. Examples included not being able to get water because coolers in common areas were constantly running out, or not being able to get into cooled areas of prisons because these zones were already full. </p>
<p>One incarcerated man wrote, “They refill coolers every 2 or 3 hours. But with over 100 inmates drinking they never stay full more than 20 minutes.” An incarcerated woman reported, “It’s very difficult to get access to respite – only 10 spots available.” Nearly half of the incarcerated people we surveyed reported having been denied access to cooled respite areas. </p>
<p>Personnel shortages make it hard for prison staff to keep water coolers full and provide extra showers and time in respite areas. As one respondent commented, “Staff, not enough staff, or they’re too busy or out of time. They only set aside a certain time period [for time in respite areas] because it will interfere with their duties.” </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1559276947657687040"}"></div></p>
<h2>Prison staff suffer too</h2>
<p>In Texas, prison staff levels are at a historic low. In 2021, the turnover rate for correctional officers in Texas prisons was <a href="https://www.kxan.com/investigations/staff-turnover-in-texas-prisons-has-increased-heres-how-thats-impacting-corrections-officers/">over 40%</a>. </p>
<p>In a hearing before the Texas House Appropriations Committee on Aug. 4, 2022, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rLkY0Pn3wI&t=1s">former correctional officer Clifton Buchanan stated</a>, “Temperatures at units can reach well above 110 degrees during the summer, and staff must endure this heat while wearing safety equipment, such as stab-proof vests.” Because of staffing shortages, Buchanan said, officers are “constantly conducting rounds with no break.” He told the committee that he had shifted to working at a federal prison solely because it was air-conditioned.</p>
<p>In our survey, incarcerated people described frequent conflicts with prison staff over access to water, showers and cooling areas. One wrote, “Majority of the time we have to argue with guards to no avail about getting ice or even water.” </p>
<p>Another wrote, “The guard will refuse us if it’s too crowded. Our respite area only holds 20 people. We have 2,014 people who have to share it.” </p>
<p>Our report describes frequent tense exchanges between incarcerated people and prison staff. In his testimony before the Texas Legislature, Buchanan warned that such confrontations could lead to violence. </p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_rLkY0Pn3wI?wmode=transparent&start=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Clifton Buchanan, deputy director of AFSCME Texas Correction Employees Council 907 and a former Texas state prison corrections office, describes working during heat waves in prisons that aren’t air-conditioned, Aug. 4, 2022.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Nowhere to go</h2>
<p>Prison agencies often assert that their heat mitigation policies are adequate for keeping incarcerated people safe. For example, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Corrections recently commented, “Much like those Texans who do not have access to air conditioning in their homes, the department uses an array of measures to keep inmates safe. … Everyone has access to ice and water. Fans are strategically placed in facilities to move the air. Inmates have access to a fan and they can <a href="https://wacotrib.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/marlin-gatesville-prisons-without-complete-air-conditioning-pose-danger-to-inmates-staff/article_92e00fc8-12a9-11ed-97b0-3b11dae5988c.html">access air conditioned respite areas when needed</a>.” </p>
<p>But people who are incarcerated can’t go to local cooling centers for hours at a time, as private citizens can, or stay temporarily with friends or rent hotel rooms during heat waves. They are completely reliant on prison staff to ensure that they have access to those resources. </p>
<p>In my view, without investments in cooling, preventing heat illnesses and deaths in prisons will become increasingly challenging as exposure to extreme temperatures <a href="https://theconversation.com/extreme-heat-waves-in-a-warming-world-dont-just-break-records-they-shatter-them-164919">becomes more common with climate change</a>. Heat waves threaten everyone, but as long as prison temperatures remain unregulated and prisons lack enough cooling resources, incarcerated people will be at extreme risk.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/188272/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>J. Carlee Purdum does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>A survey conducted in Texas state prisons finds that many lack basic resources like cold water, ice and air conditioning to help incarcerated people and staff keep cool during heat waves.J. Carlee Purdum, Research Assistant Professor, Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center, Texas A&M UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1856202022-07-08T13:49:26Z2022-07-08T13:49:26ZIf we want to build truly sustainable cities, we need to think about how women use energy and space<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/472983/original/file-20220707-18-zfdmes.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=13%2C13%2C8661%2C5761&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Women use energy in different ways to men.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/woman-standing-amidst-busy-office-going-1136901929">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Women and men balance their different responsibilities in different ways, something the pandemic has brought into <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343828490_The_Differential_Impact_of_COVID-19_on_the_Work_Conditions_of_Women_and_Men_Academics_during_the_Lockdown">sharp relief</a>. But that isn’t always considered by those designing buildings. In fact, buildings designed without considering gender often benefit men and disadvantage women by default.</p>
<p>On top of this are sustainability concerns around how much energy buildings use. To meet <a href="https://theconversation.com/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-glasgow-climate-pact-171799">COP26 targets</a>, energy efficiency of buildings will have to improve by <a href="https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/updated-climate-commitments-ahead-cop26-summit-fall-far-short-net">30% by 2030</a>. But if that’s to happen, gender needs to be accounted for.</p>
<p>Buildings contribute to <a href="https://www.iea.org/events/iea-at-cop26-the-role-of-energy-efficient-buildings-on-the-path-to-net-zero-strategies-for-policy-makers">about 40%</a> of global energy consumption and about one third of greenhouse gas emissions, figures that are predicted to continue increasing. </p>
<p>Yet research shows that even when buildings are fitted with <a href="https://theconversation.com/low-energy-homes-dont-just-save-money-they-improve-lives-81084">low-energy tech</a> such as double-glazed windows and heat recovery systems, they can still end up using about <a href="https://www.usablebuildings.co.uk/UsableBuildings/Unprotected/BPEArchive/BPEPFindingsFromDomesticProjects.pdf">three times</a> more energy than originally predicted. This variation is down to the behaviour of the people occupying those buildings: factors not always taken into account by designers.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.eceee.org/library/conference_proceedings/eceee_Summer_Studies/2021/1-energy-consumption-and-wellbeing/gendering-practices-and-policies-in-the-south-lessons-for-improved-equity-and-sustainability-in-pakistans-domestic-energy-sector/">My research</a> with colleagues on <a href="https://www.energyaccessandgender.co.uk/publications/">gender and energy access</a> in developing countries, including Pakistan, India, Nigeria and Ghana, has uncovered three key factors that result in women not having the same access to energy compared to men – a situation that makes achieving sustainability all the more challenging.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A woman wearing a red cardigan and jeans loads the dishwasher in a kitchen." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/472977/original/file-20220707-20-3yco38.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/472977/original/file-20220707-20-3yco38.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472977/original/file-20220707-20-3yco38.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472977/original/file-20220707-20-3yco38.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472977/original/file-20220707-20-3yco38.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472977/original/file-20220707-20-3yco38.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472977/original/file-20220707-20-3yco38.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Women tend to take on the burden of household chores.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/woman-loading-plates-into-dishwasher-165369386">Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.energia.org/assets/2019/04/Gender-in-the-transition-to-sustainable-energy-for-all_-From-evidence-to-inclusive-policies_FINAL.pdf">Research</a> has shown that men and women use energy in different ways, thanks to the way labour is traditionally divided between them. Even today in most societies across the world, men tend to be considered the heads of their households and are frequently the <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/11/20/men-stress-out-if-theyre-not-the-breadwinner-study/">breadwinners</a> for their family. </p>
<p>Yet women are responsible for at least <a href="https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/csw61/redistribute-unpaid-work">2.5 times more</a> unpaid domestic work than men. They undertake the majority of household chores and care work, including cooking, cleaning and laundry, child rearing and elderly care – which is where most of their energy use at home usually goes. </p>
<p>In contrast, men are far more likely to use domestic energy for comfort, convenience and entertainment – such as lighting, fans, air conditioning, computers and TV. And women also tend to be <a href="https://archive.discoversociety.org/2016/01/05/go-ask-gladys-why-gender-matters-in-energy-consumption-research/">more responsible</a> than men when it comes to energy use, often making more <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/42955967">eco-friendly choices</a> like using less air conditioning.</p>
<h2>Not gender neutral</h2>
<p>The first of the three factors we found is that we still don’t have enough <a href="https://www.devex.com/news/gender-data-gaps-are-just-the-start-of-the-conversation-93808">gender-specific data</a> showing exactly how and when women need energy. Second, women are underrepresented in the energy sector. According to the <a href="https://www.iea.org/topics/energy-and-gender">International Energy Agency</a>, women account for only 22% of energy workers, with even lower numbers in management.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/transport-apps-are-being-hailed-as-a-sustainable-alternative-to-driving-but-theyre-not-female-friendly-181972">Transport apps are being hailed as a sustainable alternative to driving: but they're not female-friendly</a>
</strong>
</em>
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<p>And third, energy policies that try to be gender neutral usually leave women’s energy needs <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629620301262">marginalised</a>. Without explicitly designing energy systems to benefit women as well as men, we often end up with situations where, for example, limited domestic electricity connections and scheduled power cuts have greater impacts on women’s daily routines.</p>
<p>When it comes to urban planning and development, gender also plays a <a href="https://theconversation.com/sexism-and-the-city-how-urban-planning-has-failed-women-93854">significant role</a> in achieving sustainability. Even though women will make up the <a href="https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/download-manager-files/Gender%20and%20Prosperity%20of%20Cities.pdf">majority</a> of urban citizens in the coming decades – with increasing numbers of <a href="https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/more-women-have-become-homeowners-and-heads-household-could-pandemic-undo-progress">female-run households</a> – they still face a huge number of <a href="https://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/urban/factsheet.html">barriers</a> in their everyday life in cities. </p>
<p>Part of this has to do with how, according to geographers <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-9493.2010.00388_3.x">Sylvia Chant and Cathy McIlwaine</a>, cities around the world are still “overwhelmingly designed <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Cities-Slums-and-Gender-in-the-Global-South-Towards-a-feminised-urban/Chant-McIlwaine/p/book/9781138192782">by and for men</a>”. When it comes to public access, not only do women often have more complex <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11116-015-9627-9">travel patterns</a> than men thanks to their unpaid care work, they also have a harder time accessing or <a href="https://www.itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/womens-safety-security_0.pdf">feeling safe</a> on transport.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A balcony with glass doors on the left, with plants around its edges" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/472965/original/file-20220707-16-hghrxn.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/472965/original/file-20220707-16-hghrxn.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472965/original/file-20220707-16-hghrxn.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472965/original/file-20220707-16-hghrxn.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472965/original/file-20220707-16-hghrxn.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472965/original/file-20220707-16-hghrxn.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472965/original/file-20220707-16-hghrxn.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Balconies like this offer no private space for women to carry out activities.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Rihab Khalid</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Yet <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S221462962100431X">my research</a> with my colleague <a href="https://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/research/phd-research/maiss-razem">Maiss Razem</a> shows that even private domestic spaces are often not designed for women, with implications for sustainability. For example, in Pakistan and Jordan, contemporary housing usually follows Westernised modernist designs, with increasing reliance on <a href="https://sciencetrends.com/are-our-houses-demanding-more-from-us/">mechanical ventilation and cooling</a>. </p>
<p>Building regulations in these countries also tend to put restrictions on the heights of walls and roof parapets, often for aesthetic purposes. This means that outdoor spaces are frequently exposed with low walls, meaning that women – who must adhere to <a href="https://guides.library.cornell.edu/IslamWomen/home">cultural codes of modesty</a> – cannot work or relax outdoors in private.</p>
<p>That means women are forced to limit their time spent outdoors. Instead of drying clothes outside, for example, they use indoor tumble dryers, and as a result have to turn on air conditioning and lighting: all contributing to unnecessary energy use. </p>
<p>What’s more, even indoor spaces are now also designed to imitate popular Western building styles, including open-plan designs with large glass windows. This means they not only increase <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk-net-zero-strategies-are-overlooking-something-vital-how-to-cool-buildings-amid-rising-temperatures-172080">heat inside buildings</a> (meaning more air con is required), but also end up restricting more religious women’s private access to indoor space.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A balcony viewed from the left, with other houses facing it across the street" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/472978/original/file-20220707-12-9fzsly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/472978/original/file-20220707-12-9fzsly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472978/original/file-20220707-12-9fzsly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472978/original/file-20220707-12-9fzsly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472978/original/file-20220707-12-9fzsly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472978/original/file-20220707-12-9fzsly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472978/original/file-20220707-12-9fzsly.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Neighbouring windows often overlook domestic outdoor spaces, meaning women mostly feel forced inside to work.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Rihab Khalid</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Planning regulations also tend to prevent <a href="https://www.kpf.com/stories/mixed-use">mixed-use buildings</a>, where shops or offices sit on the ground floor below people’s homes. But since women already have limited access to public employment, preventing women from working from home means it’s even harder for them to earn money. </p>
<p>Such exclusionary housing policies have a long <a href="https://fee.org/articles/zoning-laws-the-housing-market-and-the-ripple-effect/">history of discrimination</a>. And their continued “gender neutrality” means that we are still far from building what urban historian <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/3173814">Dolores Hayden</a> imagined as the “<a href="https://www.nowwhat-architexx.org/articles/2018/5/24/dolores-haydens-non-sexist-city">non-sexist city</a>”, designed to allow women’s social and economic empowerment.</p>
<p>Energy, gender and space are closely interlinked. Only by investigating how they intersect can we truly begin to move towards creating sustainable societies.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/185620/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Part of the research mentioned in this article was funded by the Anglia Ruskin University QR-GCRF funded (2020–2021) project: ‘Gender equity and energy access in the Global South’, in collaboration with the 2020 Isaac Newton Trust Research Fellowship at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge.
Part of the research mentioned in this article was funded by the Cambridge Trust PhD scholarships for the University of Cambridge. </span></em></p>My research shows how urban design can make it harder for women in some countries to make sustainable choices.Rihab Khalid, Research Fellow in Sustainable Energy Consumption, University of CambridgeLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1720802021-12-16T12:39:29Z2021-12-16T12:39:29ZUK net zero strategies are overlooking something vital: how to cool buildings amid rising temperatures<p>In October, the UK government released two different strategies on how to achieve its <a href="https://theconversation.com/net-zero-despite-the-greenwash-its-vital-for-tackling-climate-change-160329">net zero emissions</a> target by 2050 – the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy">net zero</a> strategy and the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-and-buildings-strategy">heat and buildings</a> strategy. Although both look at how to <a href="https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/how-do-we-decarbonise-the-uk-economy-in-line-with-cop26-goals/123347/">decarbonise</a> the UK’s economy, they also both overlook an important feature of the future of energy consumption – the demand for cooling.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/08/1097362">most recent report</a> from the UN’s <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/">intergovernmental panel</a> on climate change shows how experiencing extreme heat will become more common as the world warms, with maximum temperatures in parts of England set to increase by more than <a href="https://climatechip.org/your-area-climate-data">0.4°C</a> per decade. This means that the need to cool buildings is a critical issue. </p>
<p>This cooling also needs to be done efficiently. For example, increasing insulation can reduce overheating in well-designed buildings, but it can increase overheating in others without a good ventilation system – resulting in <a href="https://housingmatters.urban.org/research-summary/indoor-air-quality-can-have-adverse-effects-childrens-health">health problems</a> caused by pollution building up in the air. Unfortunately, the UK’s strategies haven’t properly addressed this.</p>
<p>Currently, the UK’s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cooling-in-the-uk">cooling energy demand</a> is approximately 15.5 <a href="https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Watt-hour#:%7E:text=A%20terawatt%2Dhour%20is%20a,major%20energy%20production%20or%20consumption.">terawatt hours</a> per year. This is energy which is mainly used in offices and shops. </p>
<p>The figure is only going to rise. In a <a href="https://www.greenfacts.org/en/impacts-global-warming/l-2/index.htm">worst case</a> global warming scenario, where the planet’s surface warms by around 4°C, demand for cooling will <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cooling-in-the-uk">quadruple by 2100</a> in the UK. </p>
<p>It’s also projected that <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cooling-in-the-uk">75% to 85%</a> of UK households will install air conditioning in response to rising temperatures by the end of the century. This could increase the UK’s current monthly <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/electricity-statistics">electricity consumption</a> by up to 15% during the summer season.</p>
<p>Currently, the government’s decarbonisation strategy focuses on increasing the use of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates">energy performance certificates</a>. These certificates – which you can now find on most buildings – provide a formal rating of how energy efficient a building is, based on things like its design and whether its energy comes from renewable or non-renewable sources. The government’s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-and-buildings-strategy">target</a> is for all houses to achieve band C and offices to achieve band B on the scale by 2035. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A sample energy performance certificate" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437767/original/file-20211215-21-1pb9b8r.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437767/original/file-20211215-21-1pb9b8r.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=345&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437767/original/file-20211215-21-1pb9b8r.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=345&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437767/original/file-20211215-21-1pb9b8r.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=345&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437767/original/file-20211215-21-1pb9b8r.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=434&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437767/original/file-20211215-21-1pb9b8r.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=434&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437767/original/file-20211215-21-1pb9b8r.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=434&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Energy performance certificates help show how much energy a building uses.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/naturewise/14402799782/">Naturewise/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">CC BY-NC-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While these targets provide a good starting point, they’re limited in how much they can achieve. Environmental standards permitted by band C fall woefully short of those permitted by band A, allowing three times band A’s non-renewable energy consumption. And ratings are based on <a href="https://epbd-ca.eu/ca-outcomes/2011-2015">average</a> climate conditions, not potential <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2020/chances-of-40c-days-in-the-uk-increasing-due-to-human-influence">future temperatures</a>.</p>
<h2>Changing cooling</h2>
<p>At the moment, reducing cooling energy demand is not explicitly part of energy policies for buildings in the UK. There need to be specific regulations making buildings comfortable to live and work in without needing extra cooling devices installed. </p>
<figure class="align-left ">
<img alt="An old barn with solar panels" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437779/original/file-20211215-13-mxk701.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437779/original/file-20211215-13-mxk701.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=775&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437779/original/file-20211215-13-mxk701.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=775&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437779/original/file-20211215-13-mxk701.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=775&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437779/original/file-20211215-13-mxk701.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=974&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437779/original/file-20211215-13-mxk701.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=974&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437779/original/file-20211215-13-mxk701.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=974&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Older buildings can be updated to increase their sustainability.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:-2020-06-09_Old_barn_with_solar_panels,_Metton,_Norfolk.JPG">Kolforn/Wikimedia</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>These could include adding <a href="https://sciencing.com/pros-cons-solar-film-home-windows-22817.html">sun protection</a> to windows and reflective materials to the outside of buildings to stop heat accumulating inside, or creating <a href="https://www.solarcrest.co.uk/downloads/EST_ventilation_best_practice.pdf">efficient ventilation systems</a> that allow wind to naturally flow through buildings, removing extra heat and pollutants.</p>
<p>It’s not hard to make buildings significantly cooler with comparatively little effort. In one <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378778808001084">example</a>, just adding ceiling fans to a building with air conditioning installed allowed air conditioning to comfortably be dialed back 3°C, reducing that building’s energy consumption by more than 21%. If some people are still warm, they could use devices like <a href="https://www.aquonchair.com/">cooling chairs</a>.</p>
<p>Once the need for cooling has been reduced as much as possible, actual cooling should be achieved with the most efficient technologies. Since cooling systems (like fans) usually run on electricity – unlike current heating systems, which are mainly based on <a href="https://www.boilerguide.co.uk/articles/central-heating-systems">gas</a> – there is a huge opportunity to make cooling sustainable by fuelling it with renewable energy. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Three ways to reduce cooling impacts" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437791/original/file-20211215-17-1bpvwbi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437791/original/file-20211215-17-1bpvwbi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=318&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437791/original/file-20211215-17-1bpvwbi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=318&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437791/original/file-20211215-17-1bpvwbi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=318&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437791/original/file-20211215-17-1bpvwbi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437791/original/file-20211215-17-1bpvwbi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/437791/original/file-20211215-17-1bpvwbi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">We’ve identified three main ways to reduce the environmental impact of UK cooling demand.</span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This could either be done by making energy on site, like by using roof-mounted <a href="https://theconversation.com/solar-panels-on-half-the-worlds-roofs-could-meet-its-entire-electricity-demand-new-research-169302">solar panels</a>, or by making sure that energy used to cool buildings is being sourced as sustainably as possible. Buildings can be <a href="https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/8/7/20754430/renewable-energy-clean-electricity-grid-load-flexibility">synced up</a> with peaks in local renewable generation – when electricity demand is low and renewable power availability high – to make cooling even greener. </p>
<p>Finally, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fluorinated-gas-f-gas-guidance-for-users-producers-and-traders">fluorinated gases</a> (F-gases) in air-conditioning units should not just be reduced or limited, as is proposed in the heat and buildings strategy, but phased out and highly penalised to force the transition to alternative clean gases. </p>
<p>F-gases can leak from units and quickly exacerbate global warming up to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fluorinated-gases-f-gases">22,800 times</a> more than the same amount of carbon dioxide in the short term. <a href="https://cooltechnologies.org/pathway-to-net-zero/">Net zero units</a> that use sustainable <a href="https://www.space-engineering.co.uk/sustainable-refrigeration/">natural refrigerant</a> gases, such as those based on propane, ammonia or isobutane, should take centre stage in the cooling market.</p>
<p>We have a limited window to address the future of cooling before rising temperatures push up our cooling emissions and hamper progress towards net zero targets. The future of cooling must become a present-day priority.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/172080/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jesus Lizana does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article. His research receives funding from European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. He has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Radhika Khosla does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>As the UK warms, the government needs to pay more attention to sustainably and efficiently cooling buildings.Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor, Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of OxfordJesus Lizana, Fellow in Energy and Power, University of OxfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1734082021-12-14T13:29:39Z2021-12-14T13:29:39ZSmoke, heat and stress: A snapshot from Southern California of life in an altered climate<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437008/original/file-20211210-87869-zjhnwe.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=7%2C0%2C4678%2C3119&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">A lone jogger runs during a heat wave in the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Los Angeles on June 17, 2021. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/person-runs-in-the-heat-in-the-kenneth-hahn-state-news-photo/1233538024">Xinhua via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>From record-breaking heat waves to massive wildfires, floods and long-running drought, the impacts of climate change across the U.S. have been impossible to ignore in 2021. While conditions vary from one region to another, it is clear that no part of the nation will be unaffected.</p>
<p>I work in Southern California, a region long famous for its temperate climate. For the past two years, my colleagues and I at the <a href="https://cesr.usc.edu/">USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research</a> have been surveying a representative internet panel of 1,800 Los Angeles County residents to better understand how social and environmental factors such as climate change affect people’s well-being.</p>
<p>For areas of the U.S. that have yet to feel the full force of rising temperatures, the results of our latest <a href="https://cesr.usc.edu/labarometer/overview">USC Dornsife-Union Bank LABarometer</a> <a href="https://cesr.usc.edu/sites/default/files/LABSustainability_wave2_final.pdf">survey</a> show what kinds of challenges they can expect. In Los Angeles the climate crisis is already reducing the quality of residents’ lives. And our findings clearly show that its impacts are falling disproportionately on residents who are young, poor, Black and Hispanic. </p>
<h2>Growing numbers are staying indoors</h2>
<p>The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t the only threat to public health in 2021. Wildfires burned more than <a href="https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn">6.8 million acres</a> across the U.S. after consuming 10.1 million acres in 2020. And our data shows that many L.A. residents stay home when wildfires threaten air quality in their neighborhoods. </p>
<p>According to our survey, 50% of Angelenos avoided going outdoors at some point between July 2020 and July 2021 because of air quality concerns from a nearby wildfire, up from 30% in the previous year. We expect this number will continue to grow as wildfires increase in frequency and size. A recent <a href="https://ceo.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/LA-County-Climate-Vulnerability-Assessment-1.pdf">climate vulnerability assessment</a> predicts that by 2050 there could be a 40% increase in area burned by wildfires in Los Angeles.</p>
<p>Large-scale wildfires have become <a href="https://theconversation.com/california-wildfires-signal-the-arrival-of-a-planetary-fire-age-125972">annual events in California</a> in an ever-expanding fire season. Los Angeles residents have received <a href="https://twitter.com/southcoastaqmd/status/1441143300308627458">warnings</a> about the <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-in-wildfire-smoke-a-toxicologist-explains-the-health-risks-and-which-masks-can-help-164597">health risks of wildfire smoke</a>, which can cause lung damage and worsen cardiovascular problems like heart disease and stroke with heavy or long-term exposure. These health risks may explain why Angelenos are increasingly curtailing outdoor activities when wildfires are burning.</p>
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<h2>Exposed to heat at home and work</h2>
<p>Southern California is no stranger to heat, but the frequency, intensity and length of its heat waves have <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2020EF001480">increased substantially since the 1950s</a>, especially in urban areas like Los Angeles County. Los Angeles experienced multiple heat waves in the summer and fall of 2021, with <a href="https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/another-weekend-another-heat-wave-for-la">triple-digit temperatures in many zones</a>.</p>
<p>By 2050, Los Angeles expects up to a <a href="https://ceo.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/LA-County-Climate-Vulnerability-Assessment-1.pdf">tenfold increase</a> in the frequency of extreme heat waves. This equates to over five heat waves per year compared with the historic average of less than one per year. </p>
<p>This forecast poses troubling implications for health equity in the region. According to our data, vulnerability to heat is unequally distributed across the population. Black residents are significantly more likely than white residents to be exposed to heat at home and at work. </p>
<p><iframe id="pSvRu" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/pSvRu/4/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>At home, rates of access to air conditioning are heavily stratified by race. Asian and white residents are the most likely to report having air conditioning in their homes (90% and 87%, respectively), while Black residents are the least likely to have this amenity (66%).</p>
<p>At work, approximately 27% of Black residents report working outdoors without cover – for example, from a tent or booth – compared with 18% of Hispanic residents, 15% of white residents and 10% of Asian residents. Prolonged heat exposure, especially without the opportunity to cool off overnight, is a <a href="https://theconversation.com/3-tips-for-preventing-heat-stroke-164055">serious health risk</a>.</p>
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<h2>Expensive and stressful</h2>
<p>Our survey also reveals that climate change is affecting Angelenos’ financial and mental health. According to self-reported data, nearly 10% of residents saw an increase in their utility expenses, 4.4% lost income and 3.1% suffered health problems because of a natural disaster such as wildfire, flooding or extreme heat in the past year. </p>
<p>Living in Los Angeles has never been risk-free: Earthquakes are a well-known hazard here and elsewhere in California. But climate change is magnifying other threats, such as wildfires, droughts and heat waves. All of these events can damage property, threaten residents’ health and safety and force some people from their homes.</p>
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<p>Natural disasters can also trigger various forms of psychological distress. Over 1 in 4 Angelenos reported experiencing some form psychological distress over the past 12 months because of a natural disaster, including anxiety, depression, prolonged fatigue or high stress. </p>
<p>These mental health impacts were most pronounced among young and low-income residents. Angelenos with a household income below $30,000 per year were almost twice as likely as those with higher incomes to report psychological distress due to a natural disaster. Likewise, compared with Angelenos ages 60 and older, more than twice as many Angelenos under age 40 reported experiences of psychological distress due to a natural disaster. </p>
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<h2>The climate crisis is a social and economic crisis</h2>
<p>As cities and counties around the country brace for more extreme climate conditions, our findings in Los Angeles show that extreme weather can have serious social and economic impacts. In the span of just the past year, climate change has left millions of Americans isolated and financially or psychologically distressed.</p>
<p>Adapting to these risks isn’t just a matter of weatherizing homes and educating the public about climate hazards. Local governments also need to prepare for inevitable strains on social and health care systems as climate conditions make it increasingly difficult for people to meet their most basic needs.</p>
<p>[<em>More than 140,000 readers get one of The Conversation’s informative newsletters.</em> <a href="https://memberservices.theconversation.com/newsletters/?source=inline-140K">Join the list today</a>.]</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/173408/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Kyla Thomas is the director of the USC Dornsife-Union Bank LABarometer, which is designed and administered by the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research with funding from MUFG Union Bank.</span></em></p>Southern California is on the front line of climate change, and recent survey data shows that residents are feeling its effects in many ways.Kyla Thomas, Sociologist, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and SciencesLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1647612021-09-30T12:30:36Z2021-09-30T12:30:36ZAs heat waves intensify, tens of thousands of US classrooms will be too hot for students to learn in<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/423171/original/file-20210924-25-1obzni.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=6%2C6%2C4498%2C2985&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Climate change means more schools will need to install or upgrade cooling systems.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/hot-schools-a-fan-attempts-to-cool-the-classroom-of-east-news-photo/1316260189">Bill Uhrich/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Rising temperatures <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-i/">due to climate change</a> are causing more than just uncomfortably hot days across the United States. These high temperatures are placing serious stress on <a href="https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/highlights/report-findings/infrastructure">critical infrastructure</a> such as water supplies, airports, roads and bridges.</p>
<p>One category of critical infrastructure being severely affected is the nation’s K-12 schools. </p>
<p>Ideally, the nation’s more than <a href="https://www.edweek.org/leadership/education-statistics-facts-about-american-schools/2019/01">90,000 public K-12 schools</a>, which serve over <a href="https://www.edweek.org/leadership/education-statistics-facts-about-american-schools/2019/01">50 million students</a>, should protect children from the sometimes dangerous elements of the outdoors such as severe storms or extreme temperatures.</p>
<p>But since so many of America’s schools are old and dilapidated, it’s the school buildings themselves that need protection – or at least to be updated for the 21st century.</p>
<p><a href="https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/publications/1999048/">Twenty-eight percent</a> of the nation’s public schools were built from 1950 through 1969, federal data shows, while just 10% were built in 1985 or later.</p>
<p>As a <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vWMMEkwAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra">researcher who studies</a> the impact of climate change, I have measured its effects on infrastructure and health for over a decade. During that time, I’ve seen little attention focused on the effects of climate change on public schools. </p>
<p>Since 2019, climate scientist Sverre LeRoy, at the <a href="https://climateintegrity.org/I%20have%20worked%20with">Center for Climate Integrity</a>, and I have worked to determine if the nation’s schools are prepared for the heat waves on the approaching horizon.</p>
<p>Comparing the climate conditions under which U.S. schools were built with the projected conditions over the next two decades, we looked at the vulnerability of all K-12 schools to increasing temperatures. We determined whether current schools have air conditioning or not and whether they would be required to add air conditioning in the future. </p>
<p>The results of our study, “<a href="https://coolingcrisis.org/">Hotter Days, Higher Costs: The Cooling Crisis in America’s Classrooms</a>,” show that by 2025, more than 13,700 schools will need to install air conditioning, and another 13,500 will need to upgrade their existing systems. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Woman wearing hat and holding umbrella walks by school sign showing temperature is 104 degrees" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/423170/original/file-20210924-15-16epykl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/423170/original/file-20210924-15-16epykl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=343&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/423170/original/file-20210924-15-16epykl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=343&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/423170/original/file-20210924-15-16epykl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=343&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/423170/original/file-20210924-15-16epykl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=431&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/423170/original/file-20210924-15-16epykl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=431&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/423170/original/file-20210924-15-16epykl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=431&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Excessively hot days are occurring more regularly during the school year than in previous decades.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-temperature-reads-104f-degrees-at-mark-keppel-high-news-photo/1228811840">Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Hot classrooms</h2>
<p>Research has shown that high classroom temperatures can make it <a href="https://www.hks.harvard.edu/publications/heat-and-learning">harder to learn</a>. Hot school days cause difficulty in concentrating, sleepiness, a decrease in energy and even reduced memory capacity. </p>
<p><a href="https://txssc.txstate.edu/tools/weather-toolkit/drought">Local school districts have policies</a> for <a href="http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbheatschools.htm">extreme heat events</a>. However, rising temperatures mean these guidelines are no longer limited to rare occurrences.</p>
<p>Over the past several years, schools across the U.S. are increasingly forced to take “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/nyregion/heat-day-schools-extreme-climate-change.html">heat days</a>,” cutting school days short because of classrooms that are too hot for students to effectively learn.</p>
<p>This is happening in places that range from <a href="https://denvergazette.com/news/education/multiple-dps-schools-will-close-or-release-early-on-friday-due-to-potential-record-breaking/article_d82c0020-119a-11ec-ad8a-ab4bf39991e0.html">Denver</a> to <a href="https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-city-schools-ac-early-20210829-i5ihvrzjdjep3g7uubymptblwa-story.html">Baltimore</a> and <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2021/08/cleveland-other-schools-announce-early-dismissals-closures-for-tuesday-because-of-heat.html">Cleveland</a>.</p>
<p>Compounding the increase in temperatures is the national trend that seasonal temperatures are rising in both the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-seasonal-temperature">spring and the fall</a>. For example, both Rhode Island and New Jersey have seen average spring and fall temperatures rise over 3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 Celsius). Rather than high temperatures only occurring when students are on summer break, these heat events now occur regularly during the school year too. Students today in a greater number of cities are beginning and ending the school year in classrooms that often <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/08/16/when-is-it-too-hot-go-school/">exceed 80 F</a> (27 C). </p>
<h2>Expensive upgrades</h2>
<p>The problem of more hot days is due to average temperatures increasing over the past <a href="https://science2017.globalchange.gov/chapter/6/">40 years</a>. The <a href="https://science2017.globalchange.gov/chapter/6/">number of days</a> with high temperatures has risen across the country, with notable increases in <a href="https://coolingcrisis.org/">large northern cities</a>. For example, Chicago has seen the number of days over 80 degrees during the school year increase from 27 in 1970 to <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/chicago/60608/may-weather/348308?year=2021">32 in 2020</a> and a projected <a href="https://coolingcrisis.org/">38 by 2025</a>. These increases affect schools in two distinct ways. </p>
<p>Schools in the traditionally cooler north – especially older schools – will need to be retrofitted with new air conditioning systems at an accumulated cost of <a href="https://coolingcrisis.org/">US$40 billion</a> by 2025. For schools in the traditionally warmer South and West, many existing systems will need to be upgraded at a projected cost <a href="https://coolingcrisis.org/">exceeding $400 million</a>. </p>
<p>Temperature increases are especially costly in large cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles, where existing efforts and continued needs will result in outlays exceeding <a href="http://climatecrises.org/">$500 million, $1.5 billion and $600 million</a>, respectively. These large districts have a greater number of older buildings that require upgrades in electrical and structural systems to support new air conditioning systems.</p>
<p>For all schools – even ones that don’t require system upgrades – the additional costs of operating air conditioning systems to meet the new demands will exceed <a href="https://coolingcrisis.org/">$1.4 billion per year</a>.</p>
<h2>An equity issue</h2>
<p>Since school districts are dependent on local taxes or bond measures to finance the school system, districts in affluent areas have a greater opportunity to obtain funds through tax increases or voter-approved bond measures.</p>
<p>In contrast, districts located in less affluent counties – including <a href="https://www.bell.kyschools.us/">Bell County</a>, Kentucky; <a href="https://www.scottcounty.net/">Scott County</a>, Tennessee; and <a href="https://www.dekalbk12.org/">DeKalb County</a>, Alabama – face the challenge of creating safe learning environments without a financial safety net. With household incomes for the entire district in the bottom 20% of national averages, or less than <a href="https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/historical-income-households.html">$43,000 per year</a>, these districts are unable to absorb significant tax increases.</p>
<p>In this regard, classroom environments become an equity issue. While the increase in temperature may affect all children, the relative impact of the increase and the ability to adapt is not equal. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Four people hold signs protesting high temperatures in school classrooms" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/423179/original/file-20210924-18-2jmpuf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/423179/original/file-20210924-18-2jmpuf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/423179/original/file-20210924-18-2jmpuf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/423179/original/file-20210924-18-2jmpuf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/423179/original/file-20210924-18-2jmpuf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/423179/original/file-20210924-18-2jmpuf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/423179/original/file-20210924-18-2jmpuf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Protesters in 2019 demand equity for Denver students who go to school in old buildings without air conditioning.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/margaret-bobb-second-from-left-a-retired-dps-secondary-news-photo/1170401741">Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Unsustainable solutions</h2>
<p>Increasingly, school districts are turning to individual window units to <a href="https://pbcchicago.com/projects-by-sister-agency/cps/cps-air-conditioning-program/">address classroom overheating</a>. However, window units do not cool interior offices, cannot circulate and exchange air within the classrooms, and will not meet expected lifespans due to extensive use. Furthermore, they create uneven cooling patterns and classroom disturbance due to noise. While these solutions are popular from an initial budget perspective, they ultimately fail to solve the hot classroom crisis.</p>
<p>Where mechanical systems are not an option due to budgetary constraints, school districts are looking at altering the school year to <a href="https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/article_55af8f32-e38c-5826-a17c-d1c228c5624c.html">start later</a> or <a href="https://www.twincities.com/2021/06/08/st-paul-school-year-ends-three-days-early-because-of-high-temperatures/">end earlier</a>. However, there are limits to this approach because there are minimum requirements for the number of days that are in the school year. Some schools are even experimenting with <a href="https://www.startribune.com/heat-prompts-some-minneapolis-schools-to-move-to-distance-learning/600065654/">remote learning as a response</a> when extreme temperatures are an issue.</p>
<p>The bottom line for schools and their surrounding communities is that rising temperatures from climate change are a growing threat to school infrastructure. Schools will need additional funding to install or upgrade air conditioning systems, pay for increased energy usage or redesign school buildings to enhance natural cooling. <a href="https://insideclimatenews.org/news/17012020/climate-change-fossil-fuel-company-lawsuits-timeline-exxon-children-california-cities-attorney-general/">Various cities and states</a> argue that fossil fuel companies have a duty to pay these infrastructure costs associated with climate change.</p>
<p>The only other choice is for America’s students to continue to endure classrooms where it’s simply too hot to learn. </p>
<p>[<em>Like what you’ve read? Want more?</em> <a href="https://theconversation.com/us/newsletters/the-daily-3?utm_source=TCUS&utm_medium=inline-link&utm_campaign=newsletter-text&utm_content=likethis">Sign up for The Conversation’s daily newsletter</a>.]</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/164761/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Paul Chinowsky receives funding from the Center for Climate Integrity. </span></em></p>America’s public schools, which are over 40 years old on average, are not equipped to handle rising temperatures due to climate change, a new study reveals.Paul Chinowsky, Professor of Environmental Design, University of Colorado BoulderLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1643822021-08-02T12:39:12Z2021-08-02T12:39:12Z4 ways extreme heat hurts the economy<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/414001/original/file-20210730-19-1v35wkw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=307%2C0%2C4574%2C3249&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Corn yields can suffer in high heat. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/WholesalePrices/8c2c2c03df9f41298d1e7624bb1de30b/photo?Query=heat%20wave%20farm&mediaType=photo&sortBy=arrivaldatetime:desc&dateRange=Anytime&totalCount=101&currentItemNo=34">AP Photo/Seth Perlman</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Summer 2021 <a href="https://weather.com/news/climate/news/2021-07-22-americas-hottest-summer-2021">will likely be one of the hottest on record</a> as dozens of cities in the West <a href="https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/astounding-heat-obliterates-all-time-records-across-pacific-northwest">experience all-time high temperatures</a>. The extreme heat being felt throughout many parts of the U.S. is <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/07/17/1016415960/as-extreme-heat-kills-hundreds-oregon-steps-up-push-to-protect-people">causing hundreds of deaths</a>, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/07/27/us/climate-change">sparking wildfires</a> and <a href="https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu">worsening drought conditions</a> in over a dozen states. </p>
<p>How does all this broiling heat affect the broader economy?</p>
<p>As an <a href="https://www.dereklemoine.com">economist who has studied</a> the <a href="http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=614D6AEAAAAJ">effects of weather and climate change</a>, I have examined a large body of work that links heat to economic outcomes. Here are four ways extreme heat hurts the economy – and a little good news. </p>
<h2>1. Growth takes a hit</h2>
<p>Research has found that extreme heat can directly hurt economic growth. </p>
<p>For example, a 2018 study found that the economies of U.S. states <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jmcb.12574">tend to grow at a slower pace</a> during relatively hot summers. The data shows that annual growth falls 0.15 to 0.25 percentage points for every 1 degree Fahrenheit that a state’s average summer temperature was above normal. </p>
<p>Laborers in weather-exposed industries such as construction <a href="https://doi.org/10.1086/671766">work fewer hours</a> when it’s hotter. But higher summer temperatures reduce growth in many industries that tend to involve indoor work, including retail, services and finance. Workers are less productive when it’s hotter out.</p>
<h2>2. Crop yields drop</h2>
<p>Agriculture is obviously exposed to weather: After all, crops grow outdoors. </p>
<p>While temperatures up to around 85 F to 90 F (29-32 C) can benefit crop growth, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0906865106">yields fall sharply</a> when thermostats rise further. Some of the crops hit hard by extreme heat include corn, soybeans and cotton. These reductions in yields could be costly for U.S. agriculture.</p>
<p>For example, a recent study I conducted found that an additional 2 degrees Celsius of global warming <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w25008">would eliminate profits</a> from an average acre of farmland in the Eastern U.S. </p>
<p>A prominent example of this was the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-heat-fires/russia-swelters-in-heatwave-many-crops-destroyed-idUSTRE66F2LX20100716">collapse of the Russian wheat harvest</a> in response to the country’s 2010 heat wave, which raised wheat prices throughout the world.</p>
<h2>3. Energy use soars</h2>
<p>Of course, when it’s hot, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/07/22/your-air-conditioner-is-making-the-heat-wave-worse/">energy use goes up</a> as <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=48796">people and businesses run their air conditioners</a> and other cooling equipment at full blast. </p>
<p>A <a href="https://doi.org/10.1257/app.3.4.152">2011 study found</a> that just one extra day with temperatures above 90 F increases annual household energy use by 0.4%. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3386/w24397">More recent research</a> shows that energy use increases the most in places that tend to be hotter, probably because more households have air conditioning. </p>
<p>This increase in electricity use on hot days stresses electric grids right when people depend on them most, as seen in <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/8/15/21370128/california-blackouts-rolling-power-outage">California</a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/15/climate/texas-heat-wave-electricity.html">Texas</a> during recent heat waves. Blackouts can be quite costly for the economy, as inventories of food and other goods can spoil and many businesses either have to run generators or shut down. For instance, the 2019 California blackouts <a href="https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=93BBC3A5-E6FA-4053-A1A0-532A9714BFC4">cost an estimated $10 billion</a>. </p>
<h2>4. Education and earnings suffer</h2>
<p>A long-term impact of increasingly hotter weather involves how it affects children’s ability to learn – and thus their future earnings. </p>
<p>Research has shown that hot weather during the school year reduces test scores. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1086/694177">Math scores decrease more and more</a> as the temperature rises beyond 70 F (21 C). Reading scores are more resistant high temperatures, which this research claims is consistent with how different regions of the brain respond to heat.</p>
<p>One study suggested that students in schools that lack air conditioning <a href="https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20180612">learn 1% less</a> for every 1 degree Fahrenheit increase in the school year’s average temperature. It also found that minority students are especially affected by hotter school years, as their schools are especially likely to lack air conditioning. </p>
<p>Lost learning results in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S1573-4463(99)03011-4">lower lifetime earnings</a> and <a href="https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jel.39.4.1101">hurts future economic growth</a>.</p>
<p>The impact of extreme heat on development, in fact, begins before we’re even born. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1702436114">Research has found</a> that adults who were exposed to extreme heat as fetuses <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2018.10.001">earn less during their lifetimes</a>. Each extra day with average temperature above 90 F (32 C) reduces earnings 30 years later <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1702436114">by 0.1%</a>. </p>
<h2>Air conditioning can help – to a point</h2>
<p>Air conditioning can offset some of these effects. </p>
<p>For example, studies have found that having a working air conditioner means <a href="https://doi.org/10.1086/684582">fewer people die</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20180612">student learning isn’t compromised</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1702436114">extreme heat outside during pregnancy doesn’t hurt fetuses</a>. </p>
<p>Not everyone has air conditioning, however, especially in normally cooler areas like Oregon, Washington and Canada that have experienced unusually extreme temperatures this year. And many people <a href="https://www.wnyc.org/story/life-new-york-public-housing-no-air-conditioning/">can’t afford</a> to own or operate them. Survey data from 2017 found that <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=31312">around half of homes in the Pacific Northwest</a>
lacked air conditioning. And <a href="https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20180612">about 42% of U.S. classrooms</a> lack an air conditioner. </p>
<p>While heat waves are shown to <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3892429">induce more households</a> to install air conditioning, it’s hardly a panacea. By 2100, higher use of air conditioning could <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/112/19/5962.short">increase residential energy consumption by 83% globally</a>. If that energy comes from fossil fuels, it could end up amplifying the heat waves that caused the higher demand in the first place.</p>
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<p>And in the U.S. South, where air conditioning is omnipresent, hotter-than-usual summers <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jmcb.12574">take the greatest toll</a> on states’ economic growth.</p>
<p>In other words, as temperatures rise, economies will continue to suffer.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/164382/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Derek Lemoine does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Much of the US has been experiencing heat waves in recent weeks. An economist explains how the often record-high temperatures can affect the economy.Derek Lemoine, Associate Professor of Economics, University of ArizonaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.