Catch 22

Most of us love our air-conditioning.

I don’t have it at home, but I do at work.

But here’s a thought; the more we use air-conditioning, the more air-conditioning we need – Catch 22

Air conditioning raising night-time temperatures in the US

Heat from cooling systems now raises some urban temperatures by more than 1C at night, reports Climate News Network

Air conditioning in Phoenix is now raising night-time temperatures Photograph: Witold Skrypczak/Alamy

Researchers in the US have identified a way in which city-dwellers are inadvertently stoking up the heat of the night – by installing air conditioners.

Because the cities are getting hotter as the climate changes, residents are increasingly investing in aircon systems − which discharge heat from offices and apartment blocks straight into the city air. And the vicious circle effect is that cities get still warmer, making air conditioning all the more attractive to residents.

According to scientists at Arizona State University, the air conditioning system is now having a measurable effect. During the days, the systems emit waste heat, but because the days are hot anyway, the difference is negligible. At night, heat from air conditioning systems now raises some urban temperatures by more than 1C.

Source: The Guardian Read more