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This paper uses an interview study in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, to consider the role of qualitative methods in identifying how human relationships with air-conditioning are influenced. Drawing on discussions with three groups of comparatively affluent residents who spent significant amounts of time in air-conditioned spaces, it makes four points to researchers hoping to encourage less energy demanding lifestyles. The first is that 'comfort is only one aspect' when a premature focus on comfort obscures other potentially important analytical concerns. The second is that 'air-conditioning changes cultures' when valuable insights may be gleaned from what people say about how it creates, rather than responds to, local preferences and expectations. The third is that 'comparison can be instructive' when different groups may feel themselves to possess very different relationships with air-conditioning. The fourth is that 'discussion can disappear' when those hoping to influence these relationships may benefit from understanding when and how 'conditioning conversations' currently occur and how they could be part of processes of positive local change. After substantiating these points, wider conclusions are drawn about the promotion of less energy consumptive ways of adapting to a warming world and the value of this approach to the cultural geography of air-conditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In Hong Kong, conventional air-conditioning (AC) systems cause a high energy consumption and poor indoor thermal comfort. This paper investigated the AC load profiles of three typical local commercial buildings, i.e. office, hotel and retail, and examined the energy consumption of liquid desiccant cooling system (LDCS) for these buildings. Simulation results showed that the cooling load contributed to more than 98% of total annual load, with high latent load proportion from March to September. The high reheating ratio, i.e. from 60% to 90%, is found to be the main reason for the poor thermal comfort. Therefore, the LDCS which could handle sensible and latent loads separately was proposed. However, the electricity-driven LDCS was found not suitable for local commercial buildings. significant energy saving could be achieved by the solar-assisted LDCS system with thermal storage, when the installation area for solar collectors is larger than the minimum required one, i.e. 9.7m2/(kWm−2) for office and 12.7m2/(kWm−2) for hotel buildings. Energy saving of different system types with different installation areas was also studied. The solar-assisted LDCS shows more energy saving in winter but less in summer. Results and conclusions can be useful for researchers and local engineers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

How do occupants' behaviour and expectations influence energy use for residential geothermal air-conditioning? This detailed study of 40 homes with geothermal AC in Sydney, Australia, during the period 2019-20 covers one of hottest Australian summers and increased daytime occupancy over the winter due to working from home during Covid-19 lockdowns. Monitored data are analysed for ground source heat pump (GSHP)-AC energy, occupancy, indoor conditions, as well as a snapshot resident feedback captured during hot and cold spells. Findings indicate that the homes built to comply with 2011 energy efficiency standards maintain indoor temperatures within 10-12°C of peak summer and minimum winter temperatures, without AC. A general preference to adopt adaptive strategies such as ceiling fans and appropriate clothing before deploying AC is evident for moderately hot and cold days. A heightened dependence on AC is seen for extreme days. However, a significant number of houses adhere to a narrow range of acceptable temperatures, thereby increasing the take-up of GSHP-AC and energy consumption. The replacement of conventional AC with alternate technologies is not a one-stop solution in, and of, itself. There is a need for improved building low energy design and construction based on a better understanding of occupant behaviour and energy consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]