Re:Improving air conditioner efficiency could reduce worldwi...
by DrScump on Thursday July 13, 2017 @05:30PM
(#14765426)
the development of super-strong residential building codes in response to destructive hurricanes
plus the fact that all construction is much better insulated than the pre-war installed base.
Re:Improving air conditioner efficiency could reduce worldwi...
by lfam on Thursday July 13, 2017 @07:39PM
(#14766231)
True. It's the same thing in some cases. For example, you can no longer leave openings between the walls and roof, which used to let hot air out the top of your house. Talk about poorly insulated!
But, the invention of AC and the development of super-strong residential building codes in response to destructive hurricanes has steered the last ~70 years of home construction towards sealed concrete boxes with air conditioning infrastructure built in.
Many of the classic passive cooling techniques of the old Florida homes are not even legal now. The benefit is your house doesn't collapse in a hurricane.