Singapore loves its air-con, now it’s finding ways to stay cool without it

Singapore, known for its love of air-conditioning, is now exploring alternative cooling methods to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint. With over 99% of private residences and a fifth of the building sector's emissions relying on air conditioning, the city-state is seeking greener options. Active chilled beams, which use perforated panels and cooling coils to cool air, have been successfully implemented in buildings like the Paya Lebar Green complex, where energy use has decreased by over 30%.

Another option is passive displacement cooling, which utilizes natural airflow to reduce the need for mechanical fans. Radiant cooling, which uses chilled water to absorb heat from objects and people, is also being explored. While these alternative cooling methods may have higher installation costs, they offer significant energy savings over time.

The Singapore government supports these efforts, aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, the shift in mindset from traditional air conditioning to these new technologies is still in progress.