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Author Linus Ekenstam (post published 2026-05-06) asserts "AC has nothing to do…

2026-05-06 · 13:35 UTC ·@LinusEkenstam ·1 min read

Brief

Linus Ekenstam argues AC is unrelated to ventilation and that new builds legally require mechanized ventilation while older houses rely on convection (heat rising out high vents, low vents pulling in fresh air). He promotes heat‑recovery air-exchange systems for energy savings, praises Sweden's long-standing codes and criticizes Spain's passive-convection designs.

Why it matters

Author Linus Ekenstam (post published 2026-05-06) asserts "AC has nothing to do with Ventilation" and states air conditioning, heat pumps, and ventilation are three distinct systems that must not be conflated.

Key details

  • Mechanized ventilation is required by building law for new house builds, while older housing stock relies on convective self-ventilation: heat rises and exits through high vents and low vents draw fresh air in.
  • Modern energy-efficient houses use air heat-exchange (heat-recovery) systems to reduce heating/cooling energy and increase air circulation; Ekenstam claims Sweden has mandated ventilation for 100+ years, whereas Spain still relies on passive convection with central cold passages and sun-facing vent escape.
Source evidence

AC has nothing to do with Ventilation.

Mechanized ventilation is needed in new house builds (required by building law) old house stock, rely on convectional self ventilation.

Heat rises inside houses, and escape through vents high up, and low lying vents suck fresh air in.

A modern energy house uses air heat exchange systems to use less energy to heat/cool homes while at the same time ALSO circulate more air.

Do not conflict AC, Heat Pumps or Ventilation with each-other, they are 3 different things.

Spain is terrible at mechanized ventilation, because all homes are designed to work on convection, central cold passages for sucking in cold air, escaping through vents on hot sun facing facades.

Sweden is fantastic with ventilation, since building code has demanded it for like 100+ years.