What’s the Connection Between Climate Change and AC Units?

As climate change causes extreme heat to spread geographically, the demand for air conditioning is also rising. Unfortunately, the increased production and use of AC equipment are fueling more greenhouse gas emissions. Let’s take a closer look at the link between climate change and AC use.

Growing Electricity Demand

Rising temperatures are driving the need for more AC use. AC units run on electricity that’s primarily gained from fossil fuels. Increasing electricity demands force power plants to burn more fossil fuels to generate more power. Carbon emissions from the burning of fossil fuels contribute to climate change.

Production of Waste Heat

AC systems produce waste heat that contributes to the urban-island heat effect, an environmental problem that occurs when the air temperature in a city is much warmer than the nearby rural areas.

Potent Refrigerants

Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants are the primary refrigerants used in air conditioners. HFC compounds are 1,000 to 3,000 times more potent greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide. They can leak during the manufacturing or installation of AC equipment. They usually leak slowly into the atmosphere during the disposal of old air conditioners.

Because of the link between climate change and AC units, there has been an urgent need for technological improvements to upgrade air conditioning. You can help reduce the global warming impact of air conditioning by investing in a modern, energy-efficient AC unit and using a programmable thermostat properly to reduce in-home electricity use. For more information on energy-efficient air conditioning, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We help customers understand the link between climate change and AC and provide a wide variety of AC services to homeowners in the Lorain area.