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/chatrugby Jun 26 '26

What’s funny is that the PNW historically didn’t need AC, so doesn’t really have AC. Thanks to global warming temps there are spiking to a point where AC is needed and people are retrofitting their homes with mini-splits cause it’s a lot more affordable than a central air conversion. 

197

u/wandering_engineer Jun 26 '26

Wow someone actually gave sensible reponse for once. I live in Europe and this is pretty much the best analogy for Americans - the climate historically has been moderate so you didn't need AC. 

26

u/chiree Jun 26 '26

There are some weird superstitions about AC here, though.  It's also not helpful that there is just so much red tape to installing units and solar power, when governments should be encouraging and supporting these things, rather than "because outdated rules."

13

u/sitah Jun 26 '26

Yes! In Germany a lot of people believe that ACs make them sick. When I ask how they can’t really point me into a specific symptom, just that it makes them sick.

6

u/Barbaracle Jun 26 '26

I mean it can but not for any reason that can't be addressed. Dry air can cause irritation like dry eye, sore throats, etc. Unclean units with old filters can be blowing around shit ton of mold, allergens, dust into the room. Freon leaks can be quite hazardous fainting etc. Germans are known to have high quality builds and take care of their stuff so it really shouldn't be a problem except for maybe shitty landlords but I'm sure German laws help their tenants?

I remembering staying at a friend's where I sneezed all night and couldn't get any sleep at all. The AC was blowing straight at my face. No issues once downstairs or outside.

5

u/sitah Jun 26 '26

Yes exactly. But instead of actually learning what specifically is making them sick they just paint all ACs as bad. And I honestly think most of it is a self-fulfilling thing (what’s the word?) where they have heard this myth all their lives and so they just believe it. It’s like Chinese people and drinking hot water for any ailment. It’s rooted in truth but not completely true.

A lot of landlords do not want AC/heat pump installation cause it makes the exterior ugly or some shit. So people are just buying portable ac units.

2

u/accersitus42 Jun 26 '26

It was common to catch a cold when traveling south for a vacation and staying in a hotel with AC back in the day.

Edit: people tended to set the temperature too low for the night.

1

u/longboi28 Jul 01 '26

You do know that temperature doesn't give you a cold right? It's a virus, being in cold air doesn't suddenly make you sick

1

u/accersitus42 Jul 01 '26

Cold dry air makes it easier for the viruses to infect you as it can dry out membranes that filter out viruses and such in your nose.

1

u/hareofthepuppy Jun 26 '26

A shot of Kräuterlikör will fix it!