There is a difference between active and passive cooling. We call this Deep and Light Cooling. Deep Cooling (active) usually uses more traditional, condensing, cooling with chillers or air/water heat pumps. This is comparable to air conditioning systems. Active cooling is a powerful system because the compressor helps to extract heat and excess moisture from the building. They do use more energy. Systems based on heat pumps are comparable to air conditioning, but they are more energy efficient.
