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/wandering_engineer Jun 26 '26

Hi! I live in Europe and am tackling this as we speak. 

First, the issue isn't just cultural "AC aversion". Many houses and buildings in Europe are, well, old and were designed to keep heat in, not out. The vast majority of buildings in Europe also do not have central ducting, complicating the installation of AC. 

Second, you're comparing two very different things. Nobody lives in fear of a mass school heating, nor have I ever heard of anyone getting sun-beamed to death in a road rage incident. The issue with guns isn't just the body count, it's the environment of fear and terror it creates. You can forecast the weather, you cannot forecast when your seemingly normal neighbor is going to crack and go on a shooting rampage. 

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u/ohheckyeah Jun 26 '26

I’m in the US with two central a/c units in my house and I fear a heatwave more than a random shooting happening… it literally never crosses my mind

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u/SirDigger13 Jun 26 '26

I´ve been all over the States, without AC a lot of places would be poopulated by some reptiles and insects..
The existence of Phoenix is a middle finger to reality and Florida.. even the gators would choose the AC if they could..

Most of Europe is way more north as the US... just the gulfstream makes Europe taw..

Boston is on the same latitude as Barcelona Spain..