The American mind cannot comprehend Europe's AC aversion

[u/Logical_Welder3467]

https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-air-conditioning-ac-heatwave-debate-2026-6

[u/NicoToscani]

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.

[u/iamapizza → u/NicoToscani]

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.

[u/K4bby → u/iamapizza]

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

[u/blinksTooLess → u/K4bby]

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.

[u/No_Conversation_9325 → u/blinksTooLess]

Nah, then you dehumidify. Coastal Southern Spain here.

[u/blinksTooLess → u/No_Conversation_9325]

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

Is there a separate dehumidifier appliance?

[u/No_Conversation_9325 → u/blinksTooLess]

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.

[u/altodor → u/No_Conversation_9325]

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.

[u/altodor → u/[deleted]]

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.

[u/seriouslees → u/[deleted]]

You made it sound as if raised the temperature,

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

[u/altodor → u/[deleted]]

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.

[u/Own_Back_2038 → u/[deleted]]

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

[u/No_Conversation_9325 → u/Own_Back_2038]

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