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> the US spends much more energy heating buildings compared to cooling them I was curious about the stats here: The latest numbers I can find indicate that th
by quesera 2y ago
> the US spends much more energy heating buildings compared to cooling them
I was curious about the stats here:
The latest numbers I can find indicate that the annual US 50-state heating-to-comfort requirement is about 2.5x the cooling-to-comfort requirement. Measured in BTUs.
However:
a) These numbers do not account for HVAC energy efficiency (much higher for heating than cooling -- maybe ~90% heat, ~50% cool, so that 2.5x would be closer to 1.5x today)
b) Due to warming trends, these numbers have been changing. Was ~3x in 1990, trendlines look like they might converge by the end of the century. With efficiency considered, convergence in about 25 years.
Some obvious unaccounted factors:
a) Changes in HVAC fuel or efficiency mix, e.g. heat pumps
b) Changes in climate trends
c) Migration patterns (more people headed to TX/AZ than AK)