World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Being cool is tops

22318849_sUSA: Refrigerators and air conditioners are in the top 10 most essential appliances according to a new list on the US website HowStuffWorks.

On top of Christmas present lists, food shopping lists, now is the time when every website, magazine creates its own lists. This year the HowStuffWorks has created its own list of appliances of what the average (American) person could not live without.

While not necessarily in any order of importance the list includes the air conditioner at no 8 and the refrigerator at no 3, althoug  we must forgive the authors for the typo in naming the “father of modern refrigeration” as Carl von Linden.

The full list:

1. Clock

2. Toilet

3. Refrigerator

4. Washing machine

5. Telephone

6. Recorded sound

7. Television

8. Air conditioning

9. Microwave oven

10. Computer

Latest News

20th May 2026

Vertiv cooling refurb delivers 70% saving 

SPAIN: The modernisation of the cooling infrastructure at the Madrid HQ of sustainable infrastructure solutions company Acciona is said to have delivered a 70% reduction in energy consumption.
20th May 2026

Danfoss injector boosts CO2 refrigeration

DENMARK: Tests using Danfoss’ multi ejector high pressure (HP) technology in a transcritical CO2 booster system are said to have shown 21% energy savings over traditional CO2 booster systems.
20th May 2026

Climate committee calls for cooling plan

UK: The UK government’s Climate Change Committee has identified better cooling amongst measures to address the growing impacts of climate change in the UK.
20th May 2026

F-gas delay divides opinion

UK: The UK government’s decision to delay the GB F-gas phase down continues to divide opinion.
19th May 2026

R410A refrigerant faces 60% price increase

UK: Beijer Ref UK, the UK’s largest refrigeration and air conditioning wholesaler, has announced a 60% price increase on R410A refrigerant as the UK faces further refrigerant price increases. 
19th May 2026

Daikin announces summer networking events

UK: Daikin UK has planned a series of networking events this summer, promising an agenda of expert-led content, product innovation, and industry dialogue.