this post was submitted on 22 Jul 2026
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Alternative to Air-conditions? (lemmus.org)
submitted 5 days ago by turip@lemmus.org to c/solarpunk@slrpnk.net
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I am completly opposed to Air-conditions propagandized as a solution to climate change. What is the wright approach to combating this state of temporary relief except from old-fashioned fans? Don't get me wrong. They do the job for me. I am reffering to finding a solution for people more with health issues or large facilities that are in need of something more drastic.

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[–] perestroika@slrpnk.net 21 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (2 children)

If you are looking for passive alternatives, then I've got bad news: you have to design them before you build a house.

In Iran, before electrical power became available, they used wind towers to draw up ground-cooled air through the qanat (underground aqueduct) system. It works without external power, but you have to know you need it before you build houses.

Also, simply a house with very thick stone walls (expensive to build), a cellar (possibly with a cistern) and no south-facing windows will stay cool during summer peaks.

[–] budget_biochemist@slrpnk.net 7 points 5 days ago

There are a few things you can add to an existing house:

  • Awnings and other sources of shade over windows
  • White painted exterior (some white pigments are better than others at reflecting infrared)

The south-facing comments would need to be the other way around in the southern hemisphere too.

[–] HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 3 points 4 days ago

That is kinda like earth tubes isn't it? Which you could retrofit. More powerful cooling can be achieved by using the tubes as part of a geothermal heat pump. Bonus there is that its also even more efficient than a regular heat pump in winter too.