Envisioning preferable futures of summer comfort in Dutch households: Phase 3 - Anticipating the Role of Smart Technologies in the Dynamics of Everyday Life

Due to climate change, the frequencies, temperatures, and durations of heatwaves and levels of solar gain in the Netherlands are expected to increase. How Dutch households will adapt to this change is still uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the consequences of climate change, as already experienced and anticipated for the future, will lead to a series of developments that are not always desirable. In recent years, the percentage of households with active cooling – such as air conditioning – has risen to 30%. Research by TNO shows that the use of active cooling in homes can lead to an increase in energy demand of 15-25%, while the energy transition requires a reduction in energy demand. In addition, active cooling contributes to the heat island effect, promotes inequality, and makes people dependent on cooled spaces. This report, the third and last in a series of reports, focuses on the question: how might Dutch practices of (summer) comfort be steered in desirable directions?