[superasn]

Throughout the article I was waiting for the "But.." As in some how it also deteriorated the global weather, caused some unknown sort of pollution, etc.

It was good to see that Air conditioning has only improved the world and has no side-effects.

[exodust]

Massive energy consumption to the point of overloading power grids on hot days continues to be a problem in some areas.

Massive increase in cost of electricity is due largely to the infrastructure needs of meeting peak demand events caused by sudden widespread AC use.

Those who don't use AC in their homes are still paying higher prices in order that the system can cater for the people who use AC.

[saint_fiasco]

I think that last one is fair, because we all benefit economically from the productivity increase. Think of it as trickle-sideways economics.

[exodust]

I was referring to residential AC use which is much less efficient than cooling a commercial building in terms of how many people are kept cool. It's a problem here in Australia at least.

[stevoski]

FTA:

"But there's an inconvenient truth: you can only make it cooler inside by making it warmer outside."

Followed by several paragraphs of the contribution of air-conditioning to hotter cities.

[tszymczyszyn]

It seems nobody has mentioned a near-epidemic of respiratory system infections caused by air-conditioning. And I do not mean the cases where A/C is infected with some rare bacteria (e.g. Legionella) often causing death. Usually it is just common cold or sinusitis caused by overly chilled and dry air. I wonder what are the health-related costs of overusing A/C in moderate climate.

[VLM]

The dew point in my house in August when the AC is running continuously is in the 50F to 60F range. The dew point is around 50F outdoors for a couple months before and after August.

The dew point in January during a cold snap spends weeks around -20F. This is fairly self evident, we have some crisp dry snow free mornings around -10 to -20 every winter and obviously if the dew point were above -20 it would be snowing at that time, or at least cloudy. If I try to humidify the house it'll just get moldy so I let it dry out instead.

I have noticed my hands get dry skin problems, skin cracks and gets infected, when the dew point is below freezing for a couple weeks. Winter is a bad time for static sensitive electronic experimentation. I participate in many winter sports activities and when the dew point is -20F you don't have to sweat much to get hypothermia or dehydrated. Dehydration is a big problem for long distance hikers in the winter, you have to carry the water in a thermos or it'll freeze and tradition is to drink caffeinated hot beverages which makes you pee which dehydrates you faster than not drinking at all.

You'd have to live in an interesting climate where the dew point in the winter is higher than the dew point in an air conditioned house in the summer.

[Tharkun]

Or you know, wastes inordinate of energy, especially in areas where insulation and ventilation could achieve similar comfort levels.