Several methods are presented for lowering the energy consumed during air conditioning of buildings. Some of these strategies can be implemented during the design stage; others can be used to retrofit existing AC systems; and still others can be applied with hardly any changes on existing equipment. The methods that are discussed include heat recovery and utilization, absorption refrigeration systems, thermal cool storage, liquid (refrigerant) pressure amplification, reprogramming of the AC control systems, economical methods of removal of moisture from the air and initiation of awareness programs for the conservation of A/C energy. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.