No, we are not talking about the magnets on your refrigerator door.  We are talking magnetic refrigeration technology.  This is the latest in environmentally friendly, virtually pollution free green cooling technology.  While not yet available for home use, it could be in the near future.  It has much to offer as a green alternative to our traditional gas compressor cooling systems.  Magnetic cooling systems would require 20 to 30 percent less energy to run than the best current conventional systems.  Plus they would not require the use of ozone depleting chemicals or greenhouse gases.

Each summer air conditioning and refrigeration account for approximately 50 percent of U.S. energy consumption.  It is a major component of energy consumption world wide.  Think about it, your refrigerator runs 24/7 for your entire LIFETIME.  Imagine using 20 to 30 percent less energy because of one house hold appliance for a whole lifetime, not to mention the fact that it doesn't use ozone depleting chemicals or greenhouse gases.  Another really cool (no pun intended) benefit is that it is virtually silent.  Wouldn't that be great?

So, how does it work?  Basically magnetic refrigeration works by applying a magnetic field to a magnetic material causing it to heat up.  The excess heat is then removed by water, there by cooling the material back down to its original temperature.  The material cools down even more as the magnetic field is removed.  Research is now keyed on looking for new metallic alloys which amplify the cooling effect at room temperature.  The technology is based on research funded in the U.K. by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

This technology has the potential of making a huge change in our energy use and pollution contribution to global warming.  Possibly effecting every home and auto.  Isn't it exciting to see what science has the potential to do?  I like it when science helps to solve problems in ways most of us can't even imagine.