Slovenia develops air conditioning without toxic gases

Slovenia is turning down the heat on pollution with a groundbreaking air conditioning system that cools without using harmful gases - promising a cleaner, greener future for homes and businesses worldwide.

Slovenian scientists have developed an air conditioning system that does away with harmful gases, instead using nickel-titanium alloys that cool when mechanically deformed. This innovation, part of the European SUPERCOOL project, represents a major shift from traditional cooling methods that have relied on refrigerant gases for over a century, Caliber.Az reports via Jason Deegan.

Conventional air conditioners produce cold by evaporating or condensing gases, processes that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Slovenia’s new system uses a solid material that emits no harmful gases, offering a much cleaner alternative with substantial environmental benefits.

Based on the elastocaloric effect, this technology cools air through mechanical deformation of specific metals, rather than relying on changes in gas or liquid states. This method not only improves efficiency but also eliminates the risk of toxic leaks.

Currently in prototype form, the system operates at about 15 per cent efficiency—lower than the 20–30 per cent typical of traditional units. However, researchers are confident that, with further development, it could rival conventional systems within a decade.

The E-CO-HEAT project aims to bring this technology to market by 2026, with collaboration from companies in Ireland and universities in Germany and Italy to build the SMACool prototype.

According to the International Energy Agency, air conditioning accounts for roughly 10 per cent of global electricity use, a figure expected to rise sharply as climate change intensifies, especially in developing regions. With global air conditioning units predicted to triple by 2050, Slovenia’s eco-friendly cooling system could be crucial in curbing energy consumption and emissions.

Quiet, modular, and efficient, this technology has vast potential—from green homes and data centers to electric vehicles and refrigerators. Supported by the European Commission’s Green Deal, Slovenia’s innovation may soon reshape cooling technology worldwide, proving that even small nations can lead global climate solutions.

By Naila Huseynova