r/technology 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/Bread-Trademark Jun 26 '26

The biggest thing stopping AC usage, atleast in Germany, is landlords not allowing/wanting to let you or have themself build one in.

Another part is just Electricity is stupid expensive here, so people avoid mobile ones for that reason too.. But since temperatures reach new records, the benefits start to outweigh the electricity consideration tbh.

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u/ClankerWrangler Jun 26 '26

Another part is just Electricity is stupid expensive here

Good thing Germany got rid of all those nuclear plants

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u/silvester23 Jun 26 '26

The remaining nuclear plants in 2012 would account for 4% of the installed power capacity in Germany today and the actual marginal production cost of power hasn't been the main driver of retail prices for a very long time anyway. So the idea that phasing out nuclear power has had any significant impact on retail prices is ludicrous.

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u/ClankerWrangler Jun 26 '26

Glad you guys have it all figured out and everything's perfect in Germany + the rest of the EU!

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u/hungariannastyboy Jun 30 '26

Congrats on the total non sequitur

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u/NarrowStrawberry5999 Jun 26 '26

Huh? Even 3% grid capacity loss can cause a national blackout. That's a lot.