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I can't find where the site now, but there was a fairly compelling argument that it was overall still more energy efficient for people to live in Arizona and AC
by michaelbuckbee 9y ago
I can't find where the site now, but there was a fairly compelling argument that it was overall still more energy efficient for people to live in Arizona and AC dropping the temp from 90F to 70F than to live in a northern state where for 6 months out of the year you have to heat the house from 20-40F up to 70F.
- hedora 9y agoThat seems likely. In imprecise terms: A/C efficiency ("power factor") is measured using the ratio of heat (energy) moved outside to the amount of energy put into the air conditioner , which is usually >> 1 unless there is a huge temperature difference between inside and outside. An ideal furnace has a 1:1 ratio of heat energy injected into the house to energy used to run the furnace. Heat pumps can get over 1:1 ratios, but come with caveats and are more expensive than A/C units. Also, you can make it feel cooler with a dehumidifier, which often is more efficient than cooling. For furnaces, you need a sweater, but your article assumed a 70F indoor target.
- fulafel 9y agoDid you mean s/likely/unlikely/?
- fulafel 9y agoEven if you compare poorly built/insulated houses, cooling is much less efficient (per degrees vs outside temp) than heating. Heating can also be made more efficient easily with insulation, and heat generation through CHP or geo heatpump.