The True Price of Cool

Abstract

What is the true price we are paying to stay cool? In this case, we are not referring to the "cool" established by social society, but the air-cooling systems we use on a daily basis. The purpose of this paper is to extend, persuade, and present the various evidence available regarding the negative effects of air conditioning not only on one's personal health, but the environment as well. The research presented is not necessarily a call to end air conditioning in our societies but potentially to raise awareness of environmental sustainability methods and the importance of the moderate use of resources available to us. Questions that are presented are (a) What negative health effects, personally and environmentally, does air conditioning/heating appliances have? (b) What positive health effects does air conditioning/heating appliances have? and (c) How can we become better or safe consumers?