Reevaluating Air Conditioning for Heat Management in Switzerland

Professor Arno Schlüter of ETH Zurich argues that air conditioning should be used only in special cases, as passive measures such as shading, night‑time ventilation, and fans can already provide effective cooling while reducing energy consumption and heat island effects. He notes that AC units are noisy, energy‑intensive, and use harmful refrigerants, and that efficient building systems like ground‑coupled heat pumps and free cooling can offer sustainable alternatives. The article emphasizes the need for coordinated, selective measures to protect vulnerable populations without compromising cl…