Dave Borlace identifies a paradox that threatens to undermine global decarbonization efforts: the very technology saving billions from lethal heat is accelerating the climate crisis that creates it. While most climate coverage focuses on power generation, Borlace turns the spotlight on the exploding demand for air conditioning, arguing that efficiency tweaks to existing systems are no longer enough. He posits that the solution lies not in better compressors, but in a fundamental rethinking of how we remove moisture from the air.
The Hidden Cost of Comfort
Borlace begins by dismantling the assumption that modern air conditioning is a solved problem. He notes that while manufacturers constantly refine their machinery, "there are now almost 2 billion domestic AC units in use all over the world and that number is expected to Triple again to almost 6 billion by 2050." This rapid expansion creates a feedback loop where the cure for heat becomes a major driver of emissions, especially in regions where the grid relies on fossil fuels. The author's framing is effective because it moves beyond the abstract concept of "global warming" to the immediate, physical reality of the devices in our walls.
The core of the problem, as Borlace explains, is the energy-intensive process of dehumidification. He writes, "persuading that water vapor to change phase from a gas to a liquid and condense out as water droplets takes energy energy that could otherwise be focused on keeping the room cool." In tropical climates, he cites data suggesting that "an air conditioner operating in a tropical climate can use as much as 60 percent of its cooling power to dehumidify the air." This statistic is the piece's most compelling hook; it reveals that a massive portion of our electricity bill is spent simply drying the air, not cooling it.
In tropical climates, an air conditioner can use as much as 60 percent of its cooling power just to dehumidify the air.
Critics might argue that shifting to entirely new cooling architectures is too slow to address the immediate surge in demand, especially given the entrenched infrastructure of vapor compression systems. However, Borlace counters this by highlighting that the technology isn't new, merely dormant. He reminds readers that "the first commercial desiccant air conditioning system was actually developed by the Katha bar company way back in 1910," only to be displaced by more dominant technologies decades ago. The return to these principles is driven by necessity, not novelty.
A New Framework for Moisture
Borlace shifts his focus to emerging startups that are reviving and refining these older concepts with modern materials. He highlights Transira, a Massachusetts startup utilizing "metal organic frameworks or MOFs," which he describes as "sponge-like highly porous materials that have an extremely large surface area per gram." The innovation here is subtle but profound: these materials capture moisture without forcing a phase change from gas to liquid, thereby bypassing the energy penalty of traditional condensation.
The efficiency gains are significant. Borlace notes that Transira's design allows the system to "utilize that heat to dry and regenerate the mof material ready to mop up more water on the next cycle," resulting in a "35 increase in overall Energy Efficiency." This approach demonstrates how waste heat, often a byproduct of cooling, can be repurposed to solve the system's own energy bottleneck. The author's choice to focus on the material science—specifically the pore walls preventing phase change—makes the technical breakthrough accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Another contender, Blue Frontier, takes a different route using liquid desiccants. Borlace explains that their system "uses an extremely concentrated salt solution to pull moisture from the air" combined with an indirect evaporative cooling process. This method cleverly separates the drying and cooling functions. The dry air is cooled by passing it over a surface chilled by a separate, humid air stream that is then exhausted. This allows for cooling even in humid environments where traditional evaporative coolers fail.
The potential impact of this approach is staggering. Borlace writes that Blue Frontier "claims this system achieves a 60 reduction in energy use as much as a 90 reduction in Peak electrical demand." By shifting the energy-intensive regeneration process to overnight hours when electricity is cheaper and the grid is less strained, these systems could fundamentally alter the load profile of the electrical grid. Furthermore, the elimination of traditional refrigerants offers a dual benefit: "an 85 reduction in global warming potential or gwp."
The elimination of traditional refrigerants offers a dual benefit: an 85 reduction in global warming potential.
While the technology is promising, the path to adoption remains uncertain. Borlace acknowledges that these startups are initially targeting commercial buildings, noting that "most people Now understand the magnitude of our Global decarbonization challenge not every energy saving or low carbon technology will be a glamorous headline Grabber." This humility in the face of complex engineering challenges adds credibility to his analysis. He suggests that the real breakthrough may come from collaboration, musing that if companies like Blue Frontier and Zephyr were to "talk to each other then we could be onto a real winner."
Bottom Line
Borlace's strongest argument is the reframing of air conditioning not as a static utility, but as a dynamic energy challenge where moisture management is the key to efficiency. The piece's greatest vulnerability is the timeline; while the physics are sound, the transition from lab prototypes to mass-market adoption in a rapidly warming world is a race against time. Readers should watch for the commercialization of metal organic frameworks and liquid desiccant systems, as these could be the quiet heroes of the global decarbonization effort.