Why our Planet needs energy efficient cooling and HFCS Phase out

As our climate warms, the need for cooling equipment – such as air conditioners and refrigerators, is growing. Increases in income and a growing middle class in emerging economies further add to the demand for cooling equipment

In particular, the air conditioning market is growing by 10-15% every year in many emerging economies, including India, China, and Brazil. Nearly three-quarters of all Indian households are projected to own a room air conditioner by 2030, up from only 4% in 2010. Under current trends, it is estimated that an additional 700 million air conditioning units will be added by 2030, and another 1.6 billion by 2050.

The electricity needed to run  the growing demand for air conditioning is putting even greater strain on these countries’ weak grids. Proportionally, room air conditioning is the largest contributor to peak load electricity use from household appliances – and can account for 40-60% of peak summer energy load in cities with hot climates, such as New Delhi.

In many countries, and particularly those with the fastest growing air conditioning markets, the majority of electricity is still produced with dirty fossil fuels such as coal. Over its lifetime, CO ₂ emissions from the production of electricity to run an air conditioner can represent as much as 80% or more of its total climate impact.

Read full story: The Climate Group