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Staerebu t1_iv87egx wrote

Reply to comment by sauprankul in Researchers designed a transparent window coating that could lower the temperature inside buildings, without expending a single watt of energy. This cooler may lead to an annual energy saving of up to 86.3 MJ/m² or 24 kWh/m² in hot climates by mossadnik

The 3.5 times comparison is because it's comparing a heat pump (air conditioning) with heat generation (a regular heater, furnace etc.).

A heat pump transfering heat in would also be more efficient (depending on the outside temperature).

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_Rand_ t1_iv8gmlc wrote

Also the fact that its a lot easier to be comfortable when its cold(ish) than when its hot will probably lead to lower heating costs.

Like, I can put on a sweater or throw a blanket over my lap and keep my house at 18-20c quite easily and not be uncomfortable, but when it its 35c out my AC can’t keep enough to get the inside temp below 25 or 26 and it’s absolutely miserable.

So while heating might be less efficient than cooling on a degree by degree basis, the need to heat/cool to specific levels may not at all be the same.

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