A Comparison of UK and Worldwide Air Conditioning Use
Temperatures soared as high as 35C and Britons
, unused to the heat, sought to cool down in a number of ways over the summer of 2010. And as bookmakers slashed the odds on the number of rain delays at Wimbledon, retailers reported increased sales of sun hats, parasols, paddling pools and desk fans.
The surprise of the summer was the rise in sales and rentals of
air conditioning units in the UK. This item, ubiquitous in some parts of Asia and the US, has traditionally been considered a luxury here but the figures point to a more widespread take up. Even non-specialist, major high street retailers reported sales spikes of between 70 and 500 per cent as Briton's emulate their state-side neighbours and buy or hire various types of air conditioning units.
Naturally, regional sales reflected where the highest temperatures were experienced - namely London and the South East. If predictions of global temperature rises of between 2 to 6 degrees within the next 50-100 years are to believed, then air conditioning devices look set to be a main stay in homes, offices, factories and other buildings across the UK.
China and the US have the largest HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) markets today and it's not surprising that it was these two mighty economies that invented the concept of man-made climate control.
A brief history
In the second century, a Chinese inventor conceived of a manually powered rotary fan but it wasn't until the 20th century that Willis Haviland Carrier in Buffalo, New York produced the first air conditioning unit. Prominent installations were made in high profile building such as Madison Square Garden and the US senate as well as cinemas and thus grabbed the attention of the general public. The development of the original system mirrored economic development across southern US states as research showed the close correlation between low temperatures and worker productivity.
During the 1950s, after the depression and second world war, what was once a luxury, was demanded as a must-have of modern life by millions of Americans. Today, 83 per cent of US households contain one of more air conditioning units.
Worldwide uptake
This pattern has been echoed around the world, particularly in developing societies with air conditioning conferring status. During the period 1997 to 2007 the number of Chinese households owning air conditioning units tripled and although sales are starting to show signs of slowing, they continue to rise and air conditioning already account for 15 per cent of national power consumption annually.
Similarly, by 2020, air conditioning consumption in India will be 10 times its 2005 level. As an Indian family becomes more wealthy, anecdotal evidence shows they first buy a mobile phone, then a fridge and then air conditioning - determined to emulate their vision of western affluence.
Of course, air conditioning is also prevalent in developed Asian and Middle Eastern nations and territories particularly in large urbanised areas where people live in high rise flats. Where the standard of living is extremely high and summer temperatures are unbearable, air conditioning is seen as a necessity not a luxury.
The future of domestic air conditioning in the UK
Currently Britons cool mainly in a business context with increasing numbers of new office and manufacturing premises specifying air conditioning within the structure of the building itself. However as temperatures rise, employers, keen to provide conditions most conducive to efficiency, will increasingly retro-fit or hire various types of air conditioning units in businesses and organisations.
Domestic usage is likely to remain seasonal with an upward trend as more people become aware of their ability to hire portable air conditioning equipment on demand. In addition, with locations such as Dubai and UAE in such high profile for travel and business, many people in the UK may also seek to copy the perceived celebrity lifestyle and if not install, then rent air conditioning units over the British summertime.
A Comparison of UK and Worldwide Air Conditioning Use
By: Steve Reeve
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