Knowing how to use air conditioning without (too much) harming the climate
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The heatwave has caused air conditioner sales to skyrocket. Here's which model to choose to avoid worsening global warming, and when to use it.
To refresh your interior without feeling guilty, you should opt for a split system (illustrative image).
Faced with increasingly frequent heat waves, many Swiss are still hesitant to install air conditioning, for fear of worsening global warming, reports today's "SonntagsZeitung. "
However, today, you can cool your home without feeling guilty. As long as you choose the right appliance, such as a split system. More efficient and less energy-intensive than the single-unit models sold in supermarkets, it consists of two units: one placed inside, usually high up on a wall, and the other outside the building. The two are connected by a discreet duct that carries the refrigerant.
This system offers greater energy efficiency, greater cooling power, and quieter operation than monobloc units. Their single unit, installed in a room with a pipe leading to the window, consumes a lot of electricity for poor performance.
However, these devices are popular because their installation doesn't require any permits, unlike split systems. And applying for permits for the latter is often complex, notes the "SonntagsZeitung." Some cantons require proof of good insulation, the installation of automatic blinds, or the installation of solar panels.
Experts point out that choosing an air conditioner should also be based on the type of refrigerant it uses. Older models emit gases up to 3,000 times more harmful than CO₂, unlike current models that use propane or butane, which are harmless to the climate.
And for those worried about using too much electricity when using an air conditioner, experts remind us that it's best used in the summer, when solar energy is abundant. Thanks to the storage of this electricity, even nighttime use of air conditioning is no longer a problem.
With the rise of solar power, the price of electricity sometimes becomes negative in the summer, the SonntagsZeitung points out. Companies are then paid to consume electricity to avoid overloading the grid. Automatic systems activate machines, water heaters, or air conditioners as soon as the price falls below zero.
The Green Liberals are demanding that households now also benefit from these dynamic tariffs. The idea: to allow individuals to use their appliances (electric cars, air conditioning, dishwashers) only when electricity is very cheap or even free. With smart systems, this would reduce bills and even save money by consuming at the right time.
Cooling an apartment doesn't make the heat disappear; it simply expels it outside. In cities, this exacerbates the heat island phenomenon, which is very present in large urban centers. It's a vicious circle: the more you air condition, the hotter it gets outside, and the more you use your air conditioner...
The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) therefore warns against this dynamic and recommends resorting first to passive measures: automatic blinds, good insulation, ceiling fans – solutions that keep the interior cool without heating the environment or overloading the network.
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