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Thomas
@aviationdoctor.eth
The Economist with a cool (ha) article on innovation in air conditioning. TL;DR: - Avg temperature already up 1.2°C from pre-industrial baseline, on track to +2°C by mid-century. - AC units to triple by mid-century. - Evidence exists for heat-related mortality avoidance thanks to AC. - AC contributes more CO2 emissions than the airline industry. - Cooling becomes *more* energy intensive per ° as air temperature rises. - Decarbonizing electricity would help, but AC lifespan is typically 20 years, so the energy efficiency of units sold today will impact emissions through mid-century. - AC design currently does two things: cool the air and remove the condensed humidity from around the coils to avoid damage. - Research shows at least 40% improved efficiency by separating those two functions: push humid air through a lattice or membrane that captures water first, then cool the air. https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/09/04/new-tech-can-make-air-conditioning-less-harmful-to-the-planet
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Eric Platon
@ic
Precious thinking: Low-tech solutions just under our noses?
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Thomas
@aviationdoctor.eth
I always wonder if those engineering low-hanging fruits remain undetected for so long because nobody thought to challenge such an ancient (and thus presumably terminally researched) design as an air conditioner. It might be a case that everybody assumes someone else has already looked into it.
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Eric Platon
@ic
It feels like improving on AC is the type of boring task no one is interested in. No generative AI, no crypto, no status, nothing to show friends and family. Let alone how even more boring it would be to try to sell.
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