Gizmodo: air conditioners

Individual Air Conditioners in Cubicles Double Energy Efficiency (Tell Your Boss!)

Dan Nosowitz — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:00:08 EST

Hey, office drones. The next time you're pissed and shivering because Jeff in accounting turned the thermostat down to 65 again, just show him this article: Turns out individual climate control units in cubicles can save up to 50% energy.

It seems pretty obvious, really: There's no reason to cool down the hallways, corridors, entrances and lobbies if you spend all your time in a cube, so why not restrict climate control to places where people actually work? Hell, they even tried it in Singapore, where the weather is definitely worse than Scranton, PA; Slough, England; or wherever Office Space was filmed, and it cut energy costs right in half. Bring that up to Jeff, the next time he tries to lower the temperature enough to freeze your coffee. [New Scientist]

What're You Up to in That Coffin? Oh, Just Chillin'

Odelia Lee — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:00:00 EDT

Air-conditioned coffins are all the rage now in Serbia, where they keep bodies looking extra fresh. I can understand how people can't live without their A/C, but really, they need it when they're dead too?

I guess if you want to be buried in style and comfort, you'll need one of these suckers. Sign me up, because I sure don't want to be sweating bullets in my coffin. You know what, might as well throw in some Doritos and an Xbox in there while you're at it. [Daily Star via Crave]

Greencore Semi-Solar-Powered Units Use Both the Sun and the Grid

Elaine Chow — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

AC manufacturer Greencore has come up with a long-awaited solution to the inherent problem in solar-powered air conditioning units—solar panels are still not efficient enough to power the energy-gobbling machines on their own. The company's 10200 model uses a single 170-watt solar panel during the day and electricity from the power grid during the night to charge its batteries, leading to massive energy savings even if the solution isn't 100% solar.

Greencore has three versions of its AC system, a fixed one, a portable one with two batteries and another portable with four batteries. All three run on 24 volts DC and have a cooling capacity of 10,200 BTUs and a heating capacity of 13,400 BTUs. According to the company, McDonalds and the US Navy are already on board with testing the units. [Treehugger]

Outdoor Air Conditioner: For Those Who Actually Do Want to Pay to Cool the Outdoors

Adam Frucci — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:45:00 EDT

If there was ever an invention out there destined to piss off fathers everywhere, it's this. It's an outdoor air conditioner. Yeah, you heard that right.

Perhaps the most wasteful and idiotic product I've ever seen, this thing is designed to make those hot summer days a bit more comfortable. I mean, hey, we all know how energy efficient air conditioners are, so having one cranking away at full blast in the middle of your yard while you relax on a chair shouldn't raise your electricity bill by more than a few hundred dollars a month. Totally worth it! And it has a light on it, allowing you to see yourself being a wasteful jackass at night. Sold!

Now all they need to do is make it a bit more portable, maybe one you can wheel around behind you while you mow the lawn. Now that would be a useful invention. Or not. [Trendhunter via BornRich]

Hitachi's New Air Conditioner Keeps Your Skin Moisturized

Adam Frucci — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:42:01 EST

Hitachi has just announced a fancy-pants new air conditioner that not only keeps you chilled, but it actually moisturizes your skin as well. Finally, your skin can be silky smooth without requiring expensive and emasculating lotions!

It condenses moisture in the air with a Peltier device and applies high voltage to the water to produce electrically-charged minute water particles. The particles attach to the skin and, with moisture in the air attracted by the electric charge, soak into it.
This function enables to maintain the moisture content of the skin 20% more, on average, than the normal air heating of the air conditioner, the company said.

Only time will tell whether or not adding humidity to a room on a summer's day will be refreshing or horrible. Stay tuned! [Tech On]

Solar-powered Air Conditioner Keeps You Cool During Blackouts

Louis Ramirez — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 10:40:48 EDT

Summer's just 2 months away, and what better way to keep cool than with SolCool's solar-powered air conditioner, the Millenia. Theoretically, it makes sense. Not only will it help cut down your electric bill, but it'll keep you cool even when the lights go out. And should the blackout occur at night, the AC can run off back-up batteries that last for up to 24 hours. The unit is set to come out next month for just under $3,000 (plus $500 installation). Now if only they could team up with LG to get rid of the AC's recycle bin look. – Louis Ramirez

Using Solar Energy to Keep Homes Cool [News.com]

LG's ARTCOOL Air Conditioners Double as Works of Art

Louis Ramirez — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:17:40 EST

No matter how you cut it, air conditioners are big, fat, and fugly. So to keep your apartment looking trendy and stylish, LG has revamped its line of Art Cool air conditioners. Previous models let you disguise your AC behind a painting/photo of your choice. The new ones come in standard or wide sizes and come in pastel colors (if you don't have any art to hang on them). There's even one with a mirrored finish. – Louis Ramirez

Put a Klimt or a Picasso in Your Air Conditioner [via CrunchGear via Akihabara News]

LG Takes Air Conditioning to the Next Level

tgrumet — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 13:46:14 EST

Whoa, I totally want one of these nifty LG ART COOL air conditioners, which basically turns that classically ugly appliance into a classic painting. You can pick one of the paintings the company offers or put one of your own 17"x17" pictures under the transparent front panel. Not bad. The air conditioner itself comes in 9,000 BTUs and 12,000 BTUs and is priced at $2,500 to $3,000, respectively.

LG Art Cool, The Picture-Frame Air Conditioner [uberreview]

When it Gets Hot, Things Get Crucial in Romania

johnb — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 12:53:25 EDT

I'm not saying Romania isn't a nice place, but come on, people, can we spring for a Haier or something? I'm sure they have the RomaniaRex Air Conidtioner/Pirate Nintendo Game Controller Combo down at the local bazaar. I realize you might be making the equivalent of 45 cents a day raking chickens for some rich expatriate, but buy something better than frozen Orangeade bottles and a fan.

Any Romanians in the house to translate this? [Thanks, Liviu]

Cel mai ieftin aer conditionat din lume [PCNews]

UPDATE- Mike clears things up after the jump:

A bit of background: It's been really really hot in Romania for the last few weeks, and electricity is very expensive. I'm actually surprised that these guys are advocating using a fan at all. The article is pretty ernest, and not sarcastic at all. For a lot of people, especially those on a (miniscule) pension, this may well be a lifesaver.
Enjoy!

Mike

The title of the article is:

"The cheapest air conditioner in the world"

The body is roughly:

"These days it's really hot, I'm constantly thinking of the seaside and the pool. I don't know what I would have done without air conditioning. I got the attached photos from (email address) with the title 'the cheapest air conditioner in the world". We invite you to study the system, that we don't think has been patented... (therefore you can try it too).

The principles of its operation are simple: The fan creates an air flow which is cooled by contact with the 4 bottles full of ice. In this way, the temperature of the air flow is reduced to a more tolerable level. The more bottles the better... You must closely watch it unless you want a swimming pool on your carpet or floors.

And before I forget....If it actually works, send in photos of your experience, or other innovations of this nature."