Summarises a project that was undertaken to determine technology needs for successful implementation of natural gas cooling and space conditioning technologies in the commercial and residential sectors of New York State. Detailed energy and economic comparisons were made between natural gas technologies and competing electric equipment based on weather characteristics and building loads specific to upstate and downstate regions. A life-cycle cost study was then undertaken to calculate paybacks and net gas benefits over a 20-year life. The results provided a set of goals for natural gas cooling and space conditioning that serve as a basis for recommending research and development strategies.

KEYWORDS: year 1996, comparing, natural gas, cooling, air conditioning, electric cooling, payback periods, service life, economics, costs, USA, energy consumption