Posted on 07/19/2022 6:52:43 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
As climate change exacerbates heat waves, more and more people rely on energy-guzzling air conditioners to keep cool — a vicious cycle. Experts say passive cooling could alleviate some of the pressure.
Demand for space cooling is soaring
The climate crisis has made heat waves more likely and more intense around the world. Even in 2018, the use of air conditioners and electric fans made up 10% of global electricity consumption, according to the International Energy Agency.
And that although air conditioners were only widespread in a few countries like Japan and the United States — where more than 90% of households have them — and only available to 8% of people in the hottest parts of the world.
But as the summers get hotter demand for space cooling is soaring, especially in emerging economies. Electricity demand could more than triple by 2050, using as much energy as all of China and India today just to cool buildings.
To break out of this loop, scientists point to passive cooling strategies that control the temperature using little to no energy.
"Passive cooling is so promising because it's less expensive, it averts intensification of urban heat island effects, it increases survivability by diminishing reliance on air conditioning," said Alexandra Rempel, assistant professor of environmental design at University of Oregon in the US. "It also takes pressure off the electrical grid."
(Excerpt) Read more at dw.com ...
Find a lake or river.
Jump into the Gulf or Atlantic.
Or buy a pool.
Says Florida man.
5.56mm
What you described is called PASSIVE SOLAR design.
It can save you thousands in energy costs to both heat and cool your structure.
It’s been about 80 degrees during the day inside. I button everything up and keep the air moving with fans. As soon as the outside temp drops below the inside temp I open everything up. People have talked about a whole house fan on this thread. I wish I had one. Replace hot indoor air with cooler outdoor air would be ideal. It’s been in the 60’s at night since the AC died, but I haven’t managed to get it cooler than 74 or so inside at night. I pointed a temperature gun at the ceiling. It’s really hot up there and the main barrier to cooling the house at night.
I was stationed in Washington DC for 7 years.
I then went to Europe for 7 years and finally Maxwell AFB in Alabama where I retired and have lived for the past 25 years.
Believe me when I say DC was cooler and far less humid than lower Alabama.
God Bless Willis Carrier!
There are areas where you cannot leave your windows open at night unless you want to risk a robber dropping in.
My a/c-less barn here in Alabama gets up into the 90s in the summer and 100s in the loft. 80 degrees would be Heaven.
The a/c or not argument only works in the North.
It’s not alleged… the climate is constantly changing. Always has always will…
What’s alleged is that current climate change is heavily a result of human activity.
Weather isn’t climate.
End of story.
The whole idea of passive cooling involves the proper construction of the house and it orientation to the direction of the sun.
For example, a house should have large enough overhangs to block the direct sun from coming into the windows during the summer months. When the sun is lower in the sky during the winter it will come in through the window below the overhang.
The passive solar concept also involves planting deciduous trees that loose their leaves in the winter on the south side of the house. That way they also block the sun in the summer. The other idea is to plant evergreen trees on the north side of the house to help block cold north winds in the winter.
There are literally countless books written about Passive Solar design of structures.
Another example is that large skyscraper type buildings in Kuwait City were built so that their windows were oriented to limit the sun exposure into the office space. It makes a big difference when its 110 degrees in the summer regularly.
in a dry climate, evaporative cooling can work well and will consume only a tiny fraction of energy as would a whole-house refrigerator ...
The dorms that I stayed in at Texas Tech were not air conditioned. We just stuck a box fan in the window. Sadly, those days are gone. We did have a lot of flies in our room but had fun killing them with long rubber bands tied together and a can of WD 40 with a Bic lighter.
Lasts longer than you think... We had a choice one summer. Open the windows and get a little bit of air - or leave them shut, so the mosquitos don’t get you. Remember, in Alaska during summer, we only had about an hour or so of “twilight” for darkness. The rest of the time was blazing sun during the heat waves.
Do what the homeless do. Move to a coastal area of California.
The only time I need AC is at night. In humid areas it doesn’t cool down much at night. Even going swimming is more like taking an almost hot bath. You actually sweat! Some places are brutal with 99f 24/7 with 99% humidity 24/7! You can’t even hang your laundry on the line as they will mildew before they dry. First hand experience.
If you allow yourself to a climate, most of the time your body adjusts. Being in AC all of the time makes the heat feel worse. My family likes to keep the AC on 69, but when they aren’t here, I up it to 72. For me, it’s comfortable. As long as I can cool off at night and sleep well, I’m good. I spend most of my waking hours out side.
I’ve lived in many parts of the country from the frozen north to the deep south and much in between. In desert and semi arrid places, it canbe asweltering 99+, but drop down to 40 at night.Buildings hold the heat so spraying down the roof can make aworld of difference.
I am in Iowa today. It’s 80F and windy.humidity is reasonable.
Open a window on the shady side of the house.
Open another window half way on the opposite side.
Cross ventilation.
Perhaps I should have been more specific. 😅. I just looked outside and it appears things changed from when i looked earlier.
I have created crude air conditioning. I had a fan set up over a cooler full of ice. Cooled off the room pretty well.
—”The ONE thing you cannot do much about unless you have equipment for it is HUMIDITY”
Most newer (10 years?) AC equipment can be adjusted to a slower fan speed to remove humidity.
Somewhat counterintuitive, larger units run less, and the air needs to recirculate MORE to extract the humidity.
I recently installed a mini split and that sucker can also slow the compressor and the fans, some amazing equipment.The inside fan runs very slow the compressor and its fan are also slow or off.
I have a temperature/humidity recorder to track how it is going, it does very well!
Very low power consumption, about 25% of my old ducted unit.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4072077/posts
Don’t forget, plants require CO2 to produce vegan and vegetarian food. Without it all vegans and vegetarians would starve!
I don’t disagree. I also have a brand new HVAC system that works well and does a great job at moisture extraction.
But, honestly, my comments have all mostly been on the contention about what people without those kinds of HVAC means can do to address heat (and humidity) given that lack of ability as I’d taken the article to mean...
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