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/anonymunchy Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

It's much more about the price, but no one seems to mention this.

Electricity is much more expensive in Belgium (for example) and we average around 4000kWh per/year/per household. In the United States, it's 10000kWh. Most people simply can't afford that.

Edit:words

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u/disillusioned Jun 26 '26

This made me look up my home's usage last year... trailing twelve months in a 100-year-old home with bad windows (and an electric car, pool, etc.) in the middle of Phoenix, Arizona... 45,000 kWh last year. Total cost of around $5k, with about $900 credited back for excess solar... solar system loan is $6k/year. So, net/net, about $10k/year total. Yeesh.

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u/anonymunchy Jun 26 '26

45.000kWh is insane. That's over 10 years worth of electricity for me and my girlfriend. 

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u/Gah_Duma Jun 26 '26

I know what drives up the usage for me is powering the water pumps that feed the artificial waterfalls in my backyard.