Academics warn against overuse of carbon emitting air-con

Carbon Trust says the additional demand for electricity to power cooling equipment such as air-conditioning could add 1-3% to the UK’s total annual electricity usage by 2050

The UK needs coordinated plans to prevent an uptake in air-conditioning systems as temperatures rise, according to academics at the University of Exeter. Increasing use of air-conditioning would lead to more carbon emissions.

“In temperate countries like the UK, buildings have largely been built to retain warmth in winter rather than keep out the heat,” said Richard Hoggett, Research Associate at the University and a member of independent global NGO, the Regulatory Assistance Project, which advances policy innovation and thought leadership within the energy community, said, “Already in an average summer, around 20% of homes in England experience overheating. Risks are currently higher in London and the South East, but all regions of the UK will need to adapt.” 

Hoggett added that recent research on the 2022 heatwaves had highlighted that the country is currently “ill-prepared for future extreme heat events”.

His university colleague, Dr Richard Lowes, who also represents the Regulatory Assistance Project, added: “Policymakers need a plan to keep the UK cool sustainably, supporting people to avoid unnecessary air conditioning, improving available products and creating initiatives to help manage cooling loads within the energy system.

“The priority must be a passive-first approach, with information and support, alongside improvements to building regulations and planning – as existing homes are the main challenge.

“The UK has committed to producing a national cooling action plan by 2026, and we must now act quickly to deliver this and protect people from the many negative effects of overheating in homes.”

Dr Steffan Cook, Senior Associate at the Carbon Trust said that, depending on how much warmer the UK’s climate gets, modelling suggests we would need 5-13 terra-watt hours (TWh) of energy by 2050 for cooling in the summer. 

“Increase in demand [for electricity] will happen at a time when we need to be more sparing than ever with our energy usage to curb our carbon emissions…”

“Much of this will be new demand for electricity to power cooling equipment like air conditioning, adding an equivalent of 1-3% to the total current annual UK electricity usage.   

“Increase in demand will happen at a time when we need to be more sparing than ever with our energy usage to curb our carbon emissions, with the grid already feeling the growing pains from the electrification of cars, vans and other transport,” said Cook.

“To keep the energy use for cooling down as much as possible as demand increases, the UK government should take heed of the findings of the report and put into practice their recommendations for a ‘passive first’ approach.”

Professor Ben Hughes from the Energy Institute at the University of Sheffield said that the recommendations from the study are “largely in-line with previous guidance for good building design to avoid reliance on mechanical systems”. 

He warned: “Without a joined-up approach we will follow the trends of major parts of the developed world, using vast amounts of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.

“Overheating in residential homes will continue to increase as we super insulate without considering the additional ventilation requirements.” 

Hughes added, “I would echo the report’s conclusions that intervention from policy makers and funders to achieve a joined-up approach for retrofit and new-build homes is urgently needed.”