Energy-efficient air conditioners backfire, driving up temperatures by 25-45% - a surprising rebound effect revealed.
Energy efficiency improvements in air conditioners can lead to people setting lower room temperatures, reducing energy-saving behaviors. A study in Japan showed that when air conditioners become more energy-efficient, people are less likely to set their room temperature at 28°C or higher in the summer. This change in behavior could counteract the energy-saving benefits of the improved air conditioners. The study found that while energy efficiency improvements did not affect reducing unnecessary air conditioner usage or filter cleaning, they did impact the temperature setting behavior significantly. This suggests that energy efficiency improvements may actually lead to a rebound effect, where energy-saving behaviors are hindered.