Air conditioning is one of the modern world's greatest inventions, most of us who live in areas that get hot and humid over the summer would consider it to be a lifesaver. Air conditioning is not only used in homes, but also to cool office buildings and automobiles. So it's pretty hard to imagine a life without it. It was invented in 1902, originally intended for industrial use, however, in the 1940s, air conditioners have started to enter people's homes. Right now, there are about 1.6 billion heating, ventilation and air conditioning units in the world, and that number will only grow. After all, in these times, when global warming is starting to take hold, air conditioning is very much needed. But, like global warming, could it do tremendous damage to the planet? When we turn on the AC on an 80° summer day, what are we giving up?
HFCs: Behind the scenes
Hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, are greenhouse gases that are not only used in air conditioning but also in refrigerators, building insulation, fire extinguishers, and aerosols. That's right, the same chemical compounds used to keep your food cold are also used in air conditioning. Like other greenhouse gases, HFCs contribute to global warming by trapping heat. If you want to get a glimpse of the toll HFCs take on the planet, they trap thousands of times more heat into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide! Despite HFCs being used in many of the things that keep modern society well and alive, measures are being taken to lessen the damage they do to the planet. On a federal level, the United States put regulations to cut down on the usage of HFCs in other applications like aerosols and building foam.
Energy usage
As of 2009, nearly 90% of American homes have air conditioning, which makes it account for 6% of America's energy usage. To be able to run, air conditioners require energy, most of which is generated by fossil fuels such as coal and oil. When fossil fuels are burned, they release carbon dioxide into the environment. In fact, in America, 100 million tons of carbon dioxide is released into the environment every year by air conditioners! These emissions are a major contributor to ozone depletion.
Materials used
Most air conditioners are made of plastic or metal. Metal is practical and lasts longer, but plastic on the other hand, is not biodegradable and is also less likely to be recycled. The production of plastic also releases copious amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment. Metal mining isn't a very environmentally friendly process either: it causes physical disturbances to the landscape, soil and water contamination, air contamination, ground sinking, and acid seepage.
Conclusion
It's very ironic that the same appliances that help us cope with the heat caused by global warming contribute to it. In fact, studies predict that by 2050, roughly 25% of global warming will be caused by air conditioning! But we don't have to give up air conditioning altogether: Honeywell, a company that makes dehumidifiers and plane engines, is working on a substitute to HFCs called hydrofluoroolefins, or HFOs. They break down rather quickly, which does not give them enough time to trap a substantial amount of heat into the atmosphere. But right now, there are other ways to lessen the damage made by your air conditioner, for example, you can wire a solar panel to it. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power provides clean energy with less impact on the planet as opposed to fossil fuels. You could also cut down on air conditioning, by using fans and windows, or keeping the temperature a few degrees above what you would normally set it to. Not only is it good for the environment, it also saves money. As humans in the 21st century, we are over-reliant on air conditioning and it would not hurt for us to cut back a little.
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