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Why does the conclusion have to be "A/C Good" or "A/C Bad"? In some cases A/C literally makes normal functioning possible, and is thus a boon to society and op
by ergothus 8y ago
Why does the conclusion have to be "A/C Good" or "A/C Bad"?
In some cases A/C literally makes normal functioning possible, and is thus a boon to society and opens the argument to what level of environmental costs are worth it.
In other cases, A/C allows someone to not have to change to lighter clothes to be comfortable, or they have poor insulation and thus have to use A/C far more than they otherwise would. In these cases there is much less argument that A/C is worth the environmental impacts.
Exploring the difference is valuable - instead of arguing "Good/Bad", we can start arguing "How can we make things better?". Reducing unneeded A/C is just a good idea, and admitting that A/C has environmental impacts does not mean we have to instantly ban it.
We shouldn't compare A/C against heating because there's no value in knowing if one is "better" - we need both. We should instead act to reduce unneeded A/C use _and_ unneeded heating use (and to keep, if improve, needed uses).
- Nition 8y agoIn Hong Kong in particular I noticed that every commercial building seems to have the AC perpetually on 18°C (65°F) even when it's 30°+ outside. I don't get it because it just makes you have to take a jacket with you. Why not put the AC on 23°C (73°F) in summer?
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- Spooky23 8y agoBuilding managers love that, but people do not because buildings don’t heat evenly and solar gains will make many people uncomfortable at 72-73.
- sjg007 8y agoThis is a well known issue and it developed historically because of business wear (suits etc..)..
- thaumasiotes 8y agoThe reverse issue is also common -- you need to go from your house (comfortable) through the outdoors (freezing cold) into the mall. The mall is kept at a toasty temperature, which means you arrive wearing heavy cold-weather clothing and immediately overheat. I don't see how this could have developed from business wear.
- hndamien 8y agoI know somebody that bought a space heater in Australia for their office in Singapore because the AC was perpetually too cold. For obvious reasons, you can't buy space heaters in Singapore.
- princeb 8y agocan only guess it's one of those modern buildings with glass curtain walls and in these buildings those sitting under the vents are going to be hit by a massive blast of dry, freezing air, and those next to the windows are going to be absolutely cooking.
- ams6110 8y agoI keep my house at 78 in the summer. Enough to feel comfortable compared to outside, especially with the humidity reduction. When I'm at home I wear shorts and a light T shirt. Commercial buildings at 70-72 are uncomfortably cool to me when the outside temp is 90, but I agree that 78 is probably too warm for typical professional work attire.
- JoshTriplett 8y agoThere are studies regarding the ideal temperature for productive office work, and while the exact numbers vary and don't tend to be anywhere near as low as 65, the general consensus seems to be well under 73.
- topmonk 8y agoI always thought it was a way to hide bad smells and dry out the place.