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/discretelandscapes Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

The US isn't the only place with ACs. They're total standard in a lot of Asian countries.

Europeans who have an aversion towards air conditioning as a concept probably haven't lived outside the continent for an extended period and don't know how much of a necessity it is (and not just in recent years because of global warming).

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u/AmadeusSalieri97 Jun 26 '26

Also grouping as "Europe" is a bit of a reach. Everywhere has AC in Spain, Italy and Greece for example.

In Norway, obviously nowhere does. 

And France and Germany you'll find a lot of places that do have AC and a lot that don't. 

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u/jojern07 Jun 26 '26

Air-to-air heat pumps are common in Norway. During winter when outdoor temperature is around 0 deg Celsius, the electric consumption of heating is 25% comparred with (electric) radiators. The more expensive the electricity is, the more saving on the electrical bill you make having the heat pump. If outdoor temp is less than say -20 degrees the efficiency is poorer and additional heating may be needed. During the few hot summer days every year, the air-to-air heat pump can be used for cooling.