Cooling Histories, Habits and Variations

Air-conditioning is a relatively recent invention, yet in a matter of decades it has moved from being a novelty to being not only normal but also expected in certain contexts. This chapter explores the history of air-conditioning, in the Philippines and the region, as well as the strategies currently used by different people to keep cool in the mega-city of Metro Manila. Bodily dispositions towards indoor air temperatures will be discussed, as well as the various ways in which air-conditioning is being used — and not used — among different household members and between varying socio-economic groups. The focus here is on people and the artifacts available to us for keeping cool, with a discussion around norms when it comes to indoor temperatures — all of the different facets that make up the practice of keeping cool. Through this lens, it becomes evident that more efficient machines will not necessarily lead to an overall reduction in energy consumption for cooling. The high percentage of household expenditure on electricity among the least privileged economic groups will also serve to illustrate the limits of ‘individual choice’ when it comes to cooling people and spaces, as certain low-income buildings do not allow passive ventilation, which promotes the use of fans and, increasingly, air-conditioning.