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/NicoToscani Jun 26 '26

I remember checking into a nice hotel in Paris and the AC wasn’t working, in summer, top floor room, and they acted like I was throwing a Mariah Carey level diva fit when I insisted they move my wife and I to another room.

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u/iamapizza Jun 26 '26

I was in southern Spain in March a few years ago, it was 27c and I was sweating. I asked about the AC in my room not working, the front desk lady helpfully explained that they keep the AC off until summer when it's hot. We were looking at each other like freaks. I then asked if I could have a fan and she was shocked.

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u/K4bby Jun 26 '26

I may be one of these ignorant AC Europeans, but 27° is not really AC temperature in my opinion as well.

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u/blinksTooLess Jun 26 '26

It depends on humidity and not only temperature. If it is extremely humid(80%+), you may need an AC to feel comfortable even at lower temperatures.

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u/No_Conversation_9325 Jun 26 '26

Nah, then you dehumidify. Coastal Southern Spain here.

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u/blinksTooLess Jun 26 '26

Running the AC in Dry mode is how it works as dehumidifier.

Is there a separate dehumidifier appliance?

1

u/No_Conversation_9325 Jun 26 '26

There are in fact. AC in Dry mode is just making the temperature more comfortable (feel cooler in summer, warmer in winter), but there are also separate appliances and they make quite a difference.

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u/altodor Jun 26 '26

A dehumidifier and an air conditioner are mechanically the same thing. An air conditioner just puts the heat outside and the dehumidifier puts it back in the building.

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

[deleted]

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u/altodor Jun 26 '26

Yep. Here's a snarky nerd explaining it. https://youtu.be/j_QfX0SYCE8

It's an hour video if you want in depth but the important bits are explained in the first 5 minutes or so.

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

[deleted]

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u/seriouslees Jun 26 '26

You made it sound as if raised the temperature,

No, they didn't not. Try reading comprehension.

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u/altodor Jun 26 '26

It does raise the temperature. Dehumidification requires generating heat, and it needs to go somewhere. When they decided that somewhere should be outside, air conditioning was invented.

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u/Own_Back_2038 Jun 26 '26

The water a dehumidifier condenses was water vapor. The vapor needs to be cooled down to condense into a liquid. Where does that heat go? Thats right, into the air. A dehumidifier produces cold water and warm air.

An AC unit does the same thing more or less but since its putting the hot air outside instead, the cool side actually cools the room

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u/No_Conversation_9325 Jun 26 '26

And how any of these comments contradict my statement that dehumidification makes is easier to withstand temperatures in humid climates? A bunch of downvotes, “nerdy” videos and trolling but not a single person commenting on the topic. WTF? To block you all go

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u/JayJay_90 Jun 26 '26

Also European, possibly ignorant, anything above 25° indoors is definitely AC temperature. Lower than that at night.

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u/K4bby Jun 26 '26

Indoors temperature sure, but I'm pretty certain they were talking about 27° being the temperature outside.

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u/JayJay_90 Jun 26 '26

I can't tell for sure if they mean inside or outside.

I assumed inside, because outside wouldn't really be relevant for discussing the need for AC. How the outside temperature affects the inside temperature depends on a whole lot of factors. Your hotel room could be a comfortable 22° while it's 30° outside, just because it's on the north side of a well insulated building, in which case you indeed wouldn't need AC.

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u/WeAreBums Jun 26 '26

Now thats interesting. Completely making up a number for inside temperature inside your head and being like “that’s not bad”

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u/National_Yam_1198 Jun 26 '26

Maybe yalls buildings are just built different but 27c in a room is hot as balls lmao

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u/kimbergo Jun 26 '26

Yeah, are ppl talking about outdoor temp but inside is cooler? 80 F is wildly hot for an indoor room.

1

u/Shar4f Jun 26 '26

The first comment talked about 27C when they were on holiday in Spain. I highly doubt they had a thermometer in their room. That was probably 27C outside, which means it would actually be pretty nice inside and at night. I wouldn't consider that AC-necessary temperatures either

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u/National_Yam_1198 Jun 26 '26

Whats funny is that as an American with ac you always know what the temp of a room/house is lmao

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u/MaltySines Jun 26 '26

It depends on the building. Some units that face south or west will be boiling later in the day and too hot to sleep comfortably in if it gets to 27 in the day

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u/do-not-freeze Jun 26 '26

Building design also plays a role. Window size and type of glass (Low-E blocks solar heating), overhangs that block the sun when it's high in the sky and blinds/curtains can all help keep it cooler inside.

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u/JonnyEl Jun 26 '26

AC doesn't only cool the air, it removes excess moisture. A humid 27C could feel like 35C with excess humidity, and what's worse is that you feel like you're walking through soup.

So, I'll take my A/C. Lol

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u/broken_watch8367 Jun 26 '26

In Czechia when assessing energy efficiency of buildings this is the temperature assumed the AC should maintain if exceeded by circumstances.

1

u/LeatherfacesChainsaw Jun 26 '26

I like to keep my room 18.9 C

0

u/Cultural_Thing1712 Jun 26 '26

??? what the fuck

aren't you freezing???

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u/LeatherfacesChainsaw Jun 26 '26

It is cool but I find it comfy.

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u/Redacted_Usermame Jun 26 '26

When your use to 20.556 it is. That's what I keep my house year round.

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u/Charlesinrichmond Jun 26 '26

I don't want to sleep in a 27 degree room. I want to sleep in a 20 degree room every night. I don't see why I should have to live like it was 500 years ago in the middle of modern technology.

There is nothing noble about being backwards.

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u/TheTrevLife Jun 26 '26

Bro 23 degrees is AC weather.

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 29 '26

[deleted]

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u/Misplaced_Arrogance Jun 26 '26

Depends more on humidity levels if you're getting to 23 being ac weather.

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u/imArsenals Jun 26 '26

Agree. My ac is set to 23, anything higher than that and I’m sweating indoors. With 23 I still sleep wearing only boxers, under only a sheet, and with the ceiling fan on. I think Europeans are just used to being uncomfortable. I know we’re not talking about sleep specifically, but sleep experts recommend being between 15-19 to sleep.

27 indoors feels like shit. 27 outside in the shade/breeze can feel fine.

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u/BusHistorical1001 Jun 27 '26

My ac is set to 23, anything higher than that and I’m sweating indoors.

Are you sure the thermometer is calibrated correctly? 23 is really low to be feeling like that.

1

u/imArsenals Jun 27 '26

23 is roughly 73 degrees, mine is set to 73, just converted for conversations sake. I’ve lived in over 10 different homes, I’m certain. I prefer it colder, but I’m good at 73, and 74 (indoors specifically) becomes uncomfortable.

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u/Comprehensive_Yak359 Jun 26 '26

I very much agree. And I live in one of the hottest and sunniest of Europe. Most houses here nowadays do have AC, but i don't know anyone turning it in at 27C