A new study from Zurich Insurance, in conjunction with Arup Associates, has suggested that the homes of the future could pose a threat to the air conditioning industry.
The research claims that houses will be designed in such a way that they are able to self-cool, with pipes carrying cooled, recycled water into and around beams and ceilings.

Such an option could come into use to compete with the high levels of energy consumed by current cooling systems, meaning that air conditioning companies will need to develop more energy efficient units to remain competitive.

Air conditioning systems may also need to run on renewable energy supplies to make them competitive in the future, if Zurich's predictions are correct.

Zurich also claims that houses of the future will be self-heating, with solar panels and gas-filled triple-glazed windows providing warmth during the winter months.