TY - JOUR

T1 - How does air conditioning become ‘needed’?

T2 - a case study of routes, rationales and dynamics

AU - Walker, Gordon

AU - Shove, Elizabeth

AU - Brown, Sam

PY - 2014/12

Y1 - 2014/12

N2 - In the UK, air conditioning is becoming increasingly common in non-domestic buildings. From an energy and carbon perspective this is problematic. Identifying methods of preventing further reliance on air conditioning depends on understanding where and why it is being used. We draw on an analysis of the introduction of cooling in one complex case study site – a hospital in the north of the UK – to explore the processes of change involved. We find that the spread of air conditioning is an outcome of repeated moments at which multiple, situated forms of need become established. We argue that the various entry points in processes of building design, refurbishment, reuse and thermal system ‘repair’ are caught up in wider changes in the institutional context and working practices of the hospital. The use and reuse of internal space, increased reliance on heat emitting and heat sensitive technology and intense pressure to meet operational targets come together to create specific conjunctions in which air conditioning is seen to be necessary. These findings have implications beyond the case study setting. Limiting the spread of air conditioning requires multiple, customised strategies which differentiate between various forms of ‘need’, and a policy willingness to engage with the making of cooling demand.

AB - In the UK, air conditioning is becoming increasingly common in non-domestic buildings. From an energy and carbon perspective this is problematic. Identifying methods of preventing further reliance on air conditioning depends on understanding where and why it is being used. We draw on an analysis of the introduction of cooling in one complex case study site – a hospital in the north of the UK – to explore the processes of change involved. We find that the spread of air conditioning is an outcome of repeated moments at which multiple, situated forms of need become established. We argue that the various entry points in processes of building design, refurbishment, reuse and thermal system ‘repair’ are caught up in wider changes in the institutional context and working practices of the hospital. The use and reuse of internal space, increased reliance on heat emitting and heat sensitive technology and intense pressure to meet operational targets come together to create specific conjunctions in which air conditioning is seen to be necessary. These findings have implications beyond the case study setting. Limiting the spread of air conditioning requires multiple, customised strategies which differentiate between various forms of ‘need’, and a policy willingness to engage with the making of cooling demand.

KW - Air conditioning

KW - Rationales

KW - Practices

KW - Hospital

U2 - 10.1016/j.erss.2014.08.002

DO - 10.1016/j.erss.2014.08.002

M3 - Journal article

VL - 4

SP - 1

EP - 9

JO - Energy Research and Social Science

JF - Energy Research and Social Science

SN - 2214-6296

ER -