Air conditioning has a climate problem. New technology could help.

[NJCher]

Are you wondering how we are going to get through the heat waves of the future? Here's a preview of new technology that will help us do so.

The article starts off with a recap of present AC tech, and then moves on to advancements. For my snip allotment, I've chosen descriptions of future tech. The entire article is well worth reading, though.


from The Washington Post. Paywall-free link below.

Researchers and start-ups are racing to develop innovative air conditioning units fit for a hotter future


By Shannon Osaka

September 10, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EDT

snip

The next generation

There are a lot of ways to make existing AC technology more efficient. Some newer AC units use different refrigerants, such as one known as R-32, which has less planet-warming potential than other hydrofluorocarbons and also takes less energy to compress, thus saving electricity. Other units use technology known as “variable speed compressors,” that allow the unit to run on different settings. The compressor can speed up if it’s 100 degrees Fahrenheit and sweltering, or slow down if it’s only 85 degrees. That can help save on electricity and utility bills.

And more advanced models are just around the corner. Kalanki was one of the leaders of an initiative at RMI known as the Global Cooling Prize, which rewarded manufacturers who could produce affordable AC prototypes that would be at least five times better for the climate than existing models. Two companies received the prize in tandem: Gree Electric Appliances and Daikin Industries. Both used traditional vapor compression technology but with improved refrigerants and clever designs that could change settings in response to outdoor temperatures.

Other companies, start-ups, and researchers are investigating whether they can ditch vapor compression entirely. A start-up called Blue Frontier uses a liquid that sucks moisture from the air and stores it in a tank to control the temperature. According to the company, this approach could save up to 60 percent of the electricity required to run an AC year-round. And a group of researchers at Harvard University has developed an air conditioning prototype that they call coldSNAP. The prototype doesn’t use a refrigerant, but uses a special coating on a ceramic frame to evaporate water to cool the indoor space without adding moisture to the air. “Because we don’t have the vapor compression system and the energy of trying to release and compress the refrigerants, the energy consumption of these systems is far, far lower,” said Jonathan Grinham, one of the researchers on the project.

snip


https://wapo.st/3eFMgKF

[SheltieLover]

1. I have a variable speed, ductless mini-split & love it!)

Sadly, it runs on 410-A refrigerant, which was all I could buy at the time.

The unit is extremely efficient because of the variable speed compressor & lack of duct losses.

[Maraya1969]

2. So that one goes in a window?

I feel bad about running the AC but it is so hard here in S Florida. I sweat even when it is running.

[SheltieLover]

3. No.

It has an outdoor unit & an indoor component.

I'm really sensitive to heat & humidity, so I empathize. I keep my house qround 65F in summer & my unit uses very little electricity.

They come with refrigerent-filled line set, so you can self-install, but unit must be correctly sized & placed correctly for efficiency.

[mopinko]

4. solar and ac are perfect pairing.

you can get a unit w a panel attached for an rv. but they should be standard. a window unit often has to go in a sunny window. it could shade AND power. the new portable ones just need a vent. i might break down and get one next summer. have panels on my roof. but...

[hunter]

5. The comfort of wealthy people is less important than the actual survival of others.

Global warming is already killing people.

The "trickle down" theory works about as well in technology research as it does in other aspects of economic development. That's always been my problem with RMI and similar institutions -- they believe "free markets" and "efficiency" can solve these sorts of problems. Alas, that's not the case. Increasing the energy efficiency of cars, air conditioners, light bulbs, etc., does not by itself, reduce the environmental footprint of affluent consumers. It only shifts their patterns of consumption.

So, how do we prevent death in heat waves?

The first thing we need is a stable electric supply. California is struggling in this regard since the demand for air conditioning begins to peak just as solar is fading. Currently we deal with this by firing up gas power plants of dubious efficiency. For much higher capital costs we might also install batteries to "store" electricity, or we could store "cold," using solar power to make ice, for example. Unfortunately these storage schemes would actually reduce the overall efficiency and reliability of our cooling systems. It makes more sense to have primary power sources that are capable of carrying any air conditioning load day and night. The KISS principle applies.

The second thing we need is cool shelter for those who can't afford solar panels on their roofs, Tesla power walls, and RMI blessed air conditioning. That might not even be a $200 window style unit for every dwelling, but rather cooled public spaces like schools, libraries, senior centers, etc., where people can take refuge during extreme heat. Again, reliability is the primary consideration, not efficiency.