What does the term 'free cooling' refer to?

The term 'free cooling' specifically refers to the process of using outside air to cool a building without the need for mechanical refrigeration. This method takes advantage of favorable outdoor temperatures to reduce the reliance on traditional cooling systems, often leading to significant energy savings. By allowing cooler outside air to flow inside, buildings can maintain comfortable indoor environments naturally during certain times of the year. This technique not only decreases energy consumption linked to air conditioning but also enhances system efficiency, making it particularly valuable in climates where outdoor temperatures are regularly lower than indoor temperatures.

While other concepts like energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and recycling air may contribute to a building’s overall cooling strategy, they do not specifically embody the free cooling process defined here.