Here Are 6 Science-Backed Ways to Keep Buildings Cool Without Air Conditioning

The warmer it gets, the more people crank up the air conditioning (AC). In fact, AC is booming in nations across the world: it’s predicted that around two thirds of the world’s households could have an air conditioner by 2050, and the demand for energy to cool buildings will triple.

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Why are bricks made (using kilns which use energy) when stone already exists and can be cut to the same size?

Tau.Neutrino said:

Why are bricks made (using kilns which use energy) when stone already exists and can be cut to the same size?

1. Building quality stone is a much more limited resource than clay.
2. Quarrying and transporting stone is much more expensive than digging up clay. It also uses more energy.
3. Cutting stone into brick sized pieces requires energy and is costly.
4. Stone has much higher wastage due to cracks, variations in quality, etc.
5. For the sorts of applications where stone was usually used in the past, it is usually replaced with concrete rather than bricks.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Why are bricks made (using kilns which use energy) when stone already exists and can be cut to the same size?

1. Building quality stone is a much more limited resource than clay.
2. Quarrying and transporting stone is much more expensive than digging up clay. It also uses more energy.
3. Cutting stone into brick sized pieces requires energy and is costly.
4. Stone has much higher wastage due to cracks, variations in quality, etc.
5. For the sorts of applications where stone was usually used in the past, it is usually replaced with concrete rather than bricks.

ok, thanks.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Here Are 6 Science-Backed Ways to Keep Buildings Cool Without Air Conditioning

The warmer it gets, the more people crank up the air conditioning (AC). In fact, AC is booming in nations across the world: it’s predicted that around two thirds of the world’s households could have an air conditioner by 2050, and the demand for energy to cool buildings will triple.

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Six? I only count 5.

1. Windows and shading

Yep a really old one, older than me, and studied in detail by CSIRO. Nothing really new there, except an increasing number of people ignoring the basics.

2. Paints and glazes

OK. Don’t know much about that.

3. Building materials

Again, a really old one.

4. Hybrid and phase change materials
5. Water evaporation

I actually worked on both number 4 and number 5 as methods for keeping buildings cool without air conditioning as part of my work for CSIRO.

Number 4 has the disadvantage that it can only even out heat during the day, most useful in an office environment where it doesn’t matter what the night time temperature isd so you can use the cool of the night to keep the daytime temperature low.

Number 5 has the disadvantage that it needs a climate with low humidity but with water to waste. It’s a rare combination.