the Situation: Switzerland is experiencing intense heat, driving up demand for cool spaces both indoors and out. Cooling buildings is becoming a notable concern.In the past year, the country imported air conditioners and related components worth CHF 319 million, marking a more than 20 percent increase compared to a decade ago. These imports include air conditioning units for homes, businesses, industries, and offices.

Mobile Units: A Mixed Bag: The market offers a variety of air conditioning options, including mobile devices available online and in stores, frequently enough called monoblock or air cooler devices. These units are popular during heat waves. However, a close examination of thier effectiveness reveals that many air coolers provide minimal cooling.

Split Systems Gaining Traction: Along with mobile units, fixed systems, commonly known as Split air conditioning systems, are also gaining popularity. “We have growth of two to four percent per year in switzerland,” says Marco von Wyl, Managing Director of the Building Climate Association. The association represents swiss manufacturers and suppliers of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology. While demand for Split systems is rising, it’s not a dramatic surge.Current estimates suggest that around 20,000 such systems are installed in Switzerland, in both offices and homes.

House facade with air conditioning systems.
Legend:

Cooling what it takes, like here in Singapore. Split air conditioning systems everywhere.

Imago / Manngold

Installation Challenges: Installing fixed climate control devices can be complicated due to varying regulations across cantons. Some cantons require proof of cooling needs and assessment of choice measures like building shading.Regulations range from restrictive to more lenient depending on the canton.

Global Air Conditioning Boom: While Switzerland sees modest growth in split climate devices, many countries are experiencing a significant surge. Worldwide, there are approximately two billion air conditioning systems, with about 70 percent in private residences. These devices consume 10 percent of the world’s electricity, which is 1.5 times the total consumption of Africa. The International Energy Agency IEA has projected that electricity consumption from air conditioning will triple in the coming decades, with the number of systems exceeding five billion. Southeast Asia, for example, is seeing increased affordability and adoption of air conditioning in households (see graphic below).

Economic Impact: The increasing adoption of air conditioning systems worldwide represents a ample business prospect for manufacturers and retailers. Global turnover in this sector is projected to exceed $70 billion this year. Major manufacturers are primarily based in Asia, including industry leaders like Daikin from Japan, carrier from the USA, Midea and Gree from China.

Better devices Required



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Older air conditioning systems consume significant amounts of power.The International Energy Agency IEA has urged governments and authorities to implement measures such as minimum standards for devices and stricter energy efficiency limits.

The IAE notes that air conditioning in Europe and Japan uses less electricity compared to devices in the USA and China.the agency also advocates for stricter building guidelines, investment incentives, and improved public awareness to curb escalating power consumption.