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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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