Alternatives to air-conditioning: policies, design, technologies, behaviours. Issue 1 (21st June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ford, Brian; Mumovic, Dejan; Rawal, Rajan
• Is Part Of: Buildings & cities. Volume 3:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 433
• Page End: 447
• Publication Date: 2022-06-21
• Subjects: adaptation -- air-conditioning -- climate change -- cooling -- design -- energy demand -- environmental control -- passive cooling -- public policy -- thermal comfort; City planning -- Periodicals; Urban policy -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 307.76
• DOI: 10.5334/bc.256
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2632-6655

Abstract

Highlights Far from being a panacea, air-conditioning is shown to create social, environmental and economic problems. Alternatives to air-conditioning are identified as a key means of reducing energy demand and carbon emissions, improving resilience to heat, and providing a healthy indoor environment. These alternatives are more than a technological issue and help to reframe coolth as an attribute and not a commodity. This editorial introduces the themes and individual papers in this special issue. It explores the implications of these alternative solutions across a range of issues: health and wellbeing; air quality; heat stress; technical/design solutions; economics and equity; climate change; social expectations and practices; policy and regulation; supply chain and procurement; education and training. Recommendations for change involve policy and regulation, construction industry business models, redefining the design decision process, improving performance and feedback, and updating workforce skills and capabilities.