Why air conditioning raises questions of inequality

Air conditioning is essential for liveability. Heat and cold both contribute to higher mortality among older people, says Maartje van Wijhe, a PhD candidate at Erasmus School of Economics who studies the effects of extreme temperatures on health. The Dutch Institute for Public Health reported 911 more deaths than expected this summer, mostly due to extreme heat. ‘In addition, heat leads to more hospital admissions among older people and also children under five,’ van Wijhe adds. She confirms that air conditioning has proven to be the most effective way to prevent this. 

How hot weather is experienced depends on what people are used to. ‘When it’s 38 degrees in the Netherlands, that is much hotter than what we’re used to,’ van Wijhe continues. In such conditions, health risks increase significantly. That is very different from other countries, where people may be much more accustomed to extreme temperatures. 

Climate effects of air conditioning 

It is true that air conditioners create a ‘local climate effect’ and warm up outside temperate, confirms Ronald Huisman, Professor of Sustainable Energy Finance. And they consume a lot of energy, so it is important to monitor where that energy comes from, adds van Wijhe. Both advocate combining different solutions to counteract heat, such as creating more green spaces and ensuring heat can escape efficiently from Dutch homes. 

However, according to Huisman, air conditioning does deserve a place in the energy transition. ‘They can be used not only to cool spaces, but also to heat them, functioning as a heat pump.’ This is especially relevant because most heat pumps cannot heat an entire house on their own. ‘So AC units are a logical addition.’  

The energy transition isn’t inclusive 

The underlying issue, on which both van Wijhe and Huisman agree with alderman Heinhuis, is that the energy transition is not being designed in an inclusive way. ‘It’s a thorn in our side,’ Huisman says. The state offers subsidies for heat pumps, solar panels and electric cars, but these are not sufficient: citizens are continually expected to invest themselves. ‘So only the rich can join in.’ However, he doesn't believe that is a reason to rule out the use of air conditioners.

Huisman argues that Erasmus University Rotterdam should focus on making the energy transition more inclusive. ‘It’s very Erasmian, it’s very social,’ he says. This can be applied to business models and the economic aspects of the transition, which is why he believes ‘inclusivity is truly our role’ in the energy transition. 

Lease subscriptions  

A promising alternative to personal investments is the use of lease subscriptions. ‘In the past, it was very common to rent your tankless heater or boiler from an energy provider,’ Huisman explains. The lease fee was part of your monthly energy bill. At around 20 to 30 euros a month, this is a much more accessible option than installing an AC unit entirely at your own expense. 

The UK-based firm Octopus Energy offers a good example, leasing heat pumps and solar systems in several countries. ‘Some Dutch energy companies do ask themselves how they can contribute to making the energy transition more inclusive,’ Huisman says. Some providers in the Netherlands already offer lease subscriptions, but they are still relatively small. ‘It should already be more developed. In terms of business models, the energy transition in the Netherlands is not yet mature.’ 

Until then, it is vital that at least vulnerable people are protected from extreme weather, van Wijhe says. ‘It should be a priority to install air conditioning in places where they live, such as care homes for older people.’