The U.S. Olympic team is one of a handful that will supply air conditioners for their athletes at the Paris Games in a move that undercuts organizers’ plans to cut carbon emissions.

The U.S. Olympic team is one of a handful that will supply air conditioners for their athletes at the Paris Games in a move that undercuts organizers’ plans to cut carbon emissions.

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic CEO Sarah Hirshland said Friday that while the U.S. team appreciates efforts aimed at sustainability, the federation would be supplying AC units for what is typically the largest contingent of athletes at the Summer Games.

“As you can imagine, this is a period of time in which consistency and predictability is critical for Team USA’s performance,” Hirshland said. “In our conversations with athletes, this was a very high priority and something that the athletes felt was a critical component in their performance capability.”

The Washington Post reported earlier this month that Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada and Britain were among the other countries with plans to bring air conditioners to France.

  • elucubra@sopuli.xyz
    84·
    4 months ago

    Why not Air Source AC? They are right now the most efficient climate control systems, to the point that many countries give tax credits for installation or replacement of older systems. Geothermal is probably better, but Air Source can be installed anywhere.

    I can now get AS splits for less that 400 (500-600 installed)€ in Spain, where AC is common. I fail to understand why Paris didn’t go that route.

    When planning and building, Air source + solar is essentially free (cost and carbon) climate control.

    • skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de
      82·
      4 months ago

      Air source heat pumps are just air conditioners that can move the heat in two directions because they have an extra valve installed. They’re no more special then air conditioners that only work one way. It’s the same science.

      • elucubra@sopuli.xyz
        1·
        4 months ago

        Yeah, no. That’an inverter, which they ALSO are. please read a bit. Inverters have been arund for a long time.

    • baru@lemmy.world
      5·
      4 months ago

      I can now get AS splits for less that 400 (500-600 installed)€ in Spain, where AC is common.

      In Netherlands there’s a crazy markup on that. You need a local installer. Local installers get huge kickbacks from Dutch sellers. As a result pretty much all installers refuse to install anything bought yourself. Meaning, it costs thousands per AC instead of what it should be.