Don't use air conditioners, state told

news.com.au ^ | January 27, 2009 | Michael Owen, Russell Emmerson

[Jet Jaguar]

THE South Australian Government is urging people not to use their air conditioners as the state swelters in three days of 40C-plus ((104 F). Citing the community's environmental responsibilities, the State Government today put our a press release saying there were many alternatives to using air conditioners, urging South Australians to instead insulate ceilings and use external blinds or a pergola to shade windows, AdelaideNow reports.

The Transport, Energy and Infrastructure Department's energy division's press release said residents should close curtains and use portable and ceiling fans instead of air conditioners.

"The department ... is advising householders that there are many ways to keep your home cool before using air conditioners," acting community programs manager Jim Corbett said.

"Fans and evaporative cooling are good choices to minimise energy use and greenhouse gas emissions."

[cspackler]

I dont wanna sound like im supportin this but, am i the only guy who can be happy with just a fan in hot weather?

I am glad that makes you happy. For most of us, not so much.

plus the air aint full of Co2 and whatever else air conditioners spit out

It's called "cold air", and many of us think that it feels great.

Look, I grew up in South Texas just off the coast, I spent a nearly 30 years dealing with 100+ heat and dew points in the mid 70s and up. If God gave us the brains to make cool air, I'm going to use it.

[Condor51]

"Fans and evaporative cooling are good choices...."

Welcome to 1953.

Evaporative coolers are called Swamp Coolers. They 'used to be' the thing in the USA southern/western states. I 'assume' in Australia too, their dry climate is better suited for them. (its a 'dry' heat /s)

But Heeeeeellloooo this is 2009. AC units ('condensing units') are very energy efficient now and don't leak evil gases (/s) into the air.

And NO Swamp Cooler can match an AC system for comfort. PLUS the cost of installing a Swamp Cooler system is prolly equal to or MORE than an AC system upgrade. (in 39 years I've seen ONE Swamp Cooler installed, it was a replacement. And that was back around 1986.

[Huntress]

I live alone, so it’s not a problem. Should I ever marry, I hope that my husband either likes warm temperatures or doesn’t mind walking around the house half dressed!

[TexasRepublic]

Citing the community's environmental responsibilities,

Those are fighting words. Screw the government.

[Cheetahcat]

Swamp coolers do not work down here in So Florida very well.In the Factory in the Middle-east I used them as the air temp was 120 F++ 14% Humidity they worked OK But NOTHING like AC though!