Sustainable Air Conditioning Technologies: Innovations and Future Prospects

Year : 2025 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 02 | Page : 26 31
    By

    Prashant Roy,

  1. Research Scholar, Department of Engineering, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The increasing demand for air conditioning across the globe, especially in emerging economies, has placed a significant strain on energy resources and contributed to rising greenhouse gas emissions. Conventional air conditioning systems, which largely rely on vapor compression cycles and high-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants, are energy-intensive and environmentally unsustainable. In response to these challenges, there has been a growing focus on developing sustainable air conditioning technologies that are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and economically viable. This review presents a comprehensive overview of innovative cooling technologies aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of air conditioning systems. Key technologies discussed include solar-assisted air conditioning, absorption and adsorption cooling systems, thermoelectric and magnetic refrigeration, evaporative cooling, and the use of phase change materials. The paper also highlights the shift toward low GWP and natural refrigerants such as CO₂, ammonia, and hydrocarbons, which serve as alternatives to harmful synthetic refrigerants. Additionally, the integration of these technologies with renewable energy systems—particularly solar photovoltaic (PV)—and the use of AI-driven smart control mechanisms are explored as pathways to enhance system efficiency and adaptability. Emerging trends such as hybrid cooling systems, passive cooling strategies, and building-integrated thermal storage are also examined. Moreover, the review identifies the major challenges in the adoption of these technologies, including high initial investment, climatic limitations, and the need for supportive policy frameworks and public awareness. Prospects lie in interdisciplinary research and development that combines material science, energy engineering, artificial intelligence, and climate policy to create scalable, climate-resilient air conditioning solutions. The study concludes that sustainable air conditioning is not only critical to climate action but also essential for ensuring energy security and occupant comfort in the face of global warming. Accelerated innovation and adoption of eco-friendly technologies can lead to a transformative shift in the cooling industry.

Keywords: Sustainable cooling, solar-assisted air conditioning, thermoelectric cooling, low GWP refrigerants, energy efficiency, green building

[This article belongs to Journal of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, Heating and ventilation ]

How to cite this article:
Prashant Roy. Sustainable Air Conditioning Technologies: Innovations and Future Prospects. Journal of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, Heating and ventilation. 2025; 12(02):26-31.
How to cite this URL:
Prashant Roy. Sustainable Air Conditioning Technologies: Innovations and Future Prospects. Journal of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, Heating and ventilation. 2025; 12(02):26-31. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jorachv/article=2025/view=228433


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 12
Issue 02
Received 09/07/2025
Accepted 17/07/2025
Published 05/08/2025
Publication Time 27 Days
50

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