Buildings Without Air Conditioners: The Latest in Energy Efficiency

[Chuck]

Running and managing buildings and the appliances inside them gobbles up around 39% of the energy consumed in the U.S. – that's higher than transportation, which consumes close to 26%.

Michael Kanellos - www.greentechmedia.com - Dec. 22, 2008

My utility bill is 3-4 times greater than my gas bill -- Ed.

Air conditioners consume an inordinate amount of power in the U.S. and they aren't very efficiently used. To save energy, some say leave them out.

To curb energy consumption, architects with projects in temperate cities – Seattle, Portland, San Francisco – have started to design buildings without mechanical air conditioners. These buildings will have heaters in all likelihood, but not air conditioning (see Can Greentech Make Housing Cheaper and Green Buildings No Subsidies Needed).

"There are only five days a year you need cooling in Seattle," said Amanda Sturgeon, an architect and senior associate at the firm Perkins + Will, who recently designed a building without a mechanical conditioner… [Read More]

[voodoo22]

With so many people unwilling to go without A/C even in their cars, I think they may have a tough time selling a house with out A/C no matter how infrequently you may need it.

I'm all for no A/C though. Most places in Canada are not so warm on any day that we could get used to the odd streak of 30-40 celsius. I hate A/C's but after spending all work day in A/C I die at ambient temps, but on the weekend where I don't have A/C all day, I'm fine....... and what's with all the stores with A/C blasting and their doors open?

I hope this no A/C thing catches on, but it will no doubt meet with a lot of resistance everywhere.

[ATL]

I ran my A/C at home 5 days total in the past 2 years, my friends don't like to visit my house in the summer

I'm not cheap, I just don't mind heat or cold (its 60* in my house as I type this, I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt)

[Aether glider]

Most new house aren't really designed in a way that would allow air to flow very well from the windows. However when we visit my wifes grandmother whose house was built in 1907 its very pleasant at night. She doesn't have AC and doesn't really want it. Houses then were built with circulation in mind not curb appeal.

[Chuck]

In the South, many homes had wrap-around porches so part of it would be in the shade....until the 50's.

[SentraSE-R]

I wrote about my visit to an off-the-grid facility here. It shares this thread's topic.

[Chuck]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_energy

[fuzzy]

Originally Posted by Delta Flyer

... "There are only five days a year you need cooling in Seattle," said Amanda Sturgeon, an architect and senior associate at the firm Perkins + Will, who recently designed a building without a mechanical conditioner…

Though many locals disagree, I must say that Ms. Sturgeon is correct.

My house has no A/C, but is fairly well set up to get by without it. Except of the well designed eaves on the south (correct overhang for plenty of winter sun while completely blocking the summer sun), much of this "design" is likely accidental. During our few heat spells, I've learned how to control temperatures fairly well with a window fan, carefully timed opening and closing of windows through the day, minimal use of significant electric appliances ("heaters"), and improved attic venting. Shade from a couple neighbor's trees is also a considerable help. The thermal mass is large enough that a good chilling at night could be good enough for a couple days, if not for other household member's desire for a breeze even when it brings in hot air.

The great majority of single family housing around here could do the same. But many people don't seem to have the knowledge or inclination to do so, and a lot of construction ignored passive cooling concepts, making it difficult or impossible to skip A/C.

I won't speak for Portland, as they suffer greater heat than we do.

But all that aside, designing commercial buildings to get by without A/C is a major accomplishment. Everyplace I've worked has had such a high density of electric equipment ("heaters") that mechanical cooling has been essential nearly all year.

[warthog1984]

Originally Posted by fuzzy

The great majority of single family housing around here could do the same. But many people don't seem to have the knowledge or inclination to do so, and a lot of construction ignored passive cooling concepts, making it difficult or impossible to skip A/C.

Agreed. My first apt was in an older home that enjoyed a significant crossbreeze on the sheltered sides with a box fan set to exhaust the air. A/C use was rare.

My current 70s vintage 2nd floor apt has only a patio door and a very burglar-friendly side opening picture window. Both on the same wall, facing the windward side that gets all the summer T-storms. The picture window has an outlet underneath and NO overhang.

and it gets HOT during the day.

A/C is therefore an unfortunate necessity for the dog while I'm at work.