but are holding on as long as their power grids do.
This is a big thing. Where I live, there’s long stretches of time where the temperature differential inside vs. out might average 50C. That might be hard to imagine if you’re not in a place like this, but it’s totally possible to live somewhere hostile to life with the right technology.
To be fair, the laws of thermodynamics are working against you if it’s hotter outside. Heat can’t really be destroyed very easily, only moved. AC units are universal in the US, but aren’t a good solution in the third world, and if something happens to them you’re in a much scarier situation than just having to bundle up and drain your pipes. Still, I expect the trend towards overly hot places like Arizona growing will continue.
Heating a home is easy, we’ve done it forever and have some easy ways to do it without the government providing power (so long as you know how to use a wood stove).
Cooling one though? That’s not so easy without electricity.
I suppose. I’d be surprised if the US got poorer to the point they can’t provide electricity and maintain the units, though.
(so long as you know how to use a wood stove).
Fun fact, the Inuit made do with no wood or quality fuel of any kind, even. Just body heat and maybe a little whale oil and fur lantern. What they lacked in sources they made up with lots of insulation.
It depends on where in the US we’re talking about.
I mentioned Texas specifically because the power grid there has had some high profile failures and issues in the last 5 years. They’ve fixed some of it and embezzled money for other repairs. Now they’re farming crypto on it.
This is a big thing. Where I live, there’s long stretches of time where the temperature differential inside vs. out might average 50C. That might be hard to imagine if you’re not in a place like this, but it’s totally possible to live somewhere hostile to life with the right technology.
To be fair, the laws of thermodynamics are working against you if it’s hotter outside. Heat can’t really be destroyed very easily, only moved. AC units are universal in the US, but aren’t a good solution in the third world, and if something happens to them you’re in a much scarier situation than just having to bundle up and drain your pipes. Still, I expect the trend towards overly hot places like Arizona growing will continue.
And that’s the point, I reckon.
Heating a home is easy, we’ve done it forever and have some easy ways to do it without the government providing power (so long as you know how to use a wood stove).
Cooling one though? That’s not so easy without electricity.
I suppose. I’d be surprised if the US got poorer to the point they can’t provide electricity and maintain the units, though.
Fun fact, the Inuit made do with no wood or quality fuel of any kind, even. Just body heat and maybe a little whale oil and fur lantern. What they lacked in sources they made up with lots of insulation.
It depends on where in the US we’re talking about.
I mentioned Texas specifically because the power grid there has had some high profile failures and issues in the last 5 years. They’ve fixed some of it and embezzled money for other repairs. Now they’re farming crypto on it.