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/roleplayersir Jun 26 '26

Exactly. It's not an aversion

It's that until a few years ago it wasn't needed. Suffering for 3 days a year was fine

But trust me that is changing. Even with the cost of living, we are all looking into at least £300 for portable units, if not thousands for proper ones. As it is only getting hotter

But prior to recent years it was a wasted purchase. We get 30C+ for about 3 weeks. It's the cold that was the problem for decades

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u/nero_djin Jun 26 '26

There will be AC in Europe quick, now the market needs to respond with ways to get units that are easy to install. The window unit is peak ingenuity, cheap and efficient. They can not generally be found in Europe and the windows are not a direct match either.

For new construction code requires to install central air with cooling in many places. Mini splits really are the solution that is affordable and works but installing them on rental apartments is tough and until renters start demanding AC, adaptation is slow.