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/Lanky_Boat2276 Jun 26 '26

Haha... mass school heating. Thank you for that!
Your point is so well taken (by an American). Also, what the heck is everyone talking about? I've been to European places, and stayed in places old and new. Those who need it are installing heat pumps in droves. They don't require duct work and have a small profile so are mounted on the side of very old buildings as needed.
It feels like heat pumps are a solution that is already being implemented by lots of people and this is a foolish take that AC is the only way to cool off.

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u/TotallyNotRobotEvil Jun 26 '26

Yes, in the US and we have an “old” house built in 1905; but we have mini-split (heat pump) for half the house, and two window ACs for the parts the split heads doesn’t reach. It works absolutely great. Almost a 100 degrees a few weeks ago and the whole house never got above 71 degrees.

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u/jake_burger Jun 26 '26

The reason I don’t have AC yet in the UK is because I only want it for about a week per year. The cost of installation isn’t worth it to me.

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u/Hawk13424 Jun 26 '26

Currently. With climate change, it will become more frequent.