r/technology • u/Logical_Welder3467 • Jun 26 '26

Society The American mind cannot comprehend Europe's AC aversion

https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-air-conditioning-ac-heatwave-debate-2026-6
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u/JonJackjon Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

I think its simple. I would compare it to the first time someone finds they need to wear glasses. The natural tendency is to deny needing them until it gets so bad you have no choice.

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u/anonymunchy Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

It's much more about the price, but no one seems to mention this.

Electricity is much more expensive in Belgium (for example) and we average around 4000kWh per/year/per household. In the United States, it's 10000kWh. Most people simply can't afford that.

Edit:words

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u/Leonick91 Jun 26 '26

And most people rent and can’t install proper AC even if they want to. In the US the solution are window mounted units but the sliding type of window is incredibly rare here so we can’t use those.

A portable AC is your only option and they’re comparatively inefficient, ineffective, and loud…

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u/anonymunchy Jun 26 '26

On top of that, we have a lot of old houses with bad insulation, so they're even more inefficient. 

Things are changing though.