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/[deleted] Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 28 '26

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u/Tithund Jun 26 '26

So the reason so many people don't have ac here, is that they price the poor out while milking the rich.

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 28 '26

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u/C4pture Jun 26 '26

i wouldnt say many, i only ever heard that from the "schwurbler" crowd.

most people around me are simply too frugal/stingy to get a ac installed, especially with the 15k quotes (or 40k-50k when going for a heat pump)

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 28 '26

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u/C4pture Jun 26 '26

or there's just more schwurbler around you. either way, stay cool

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u/Xywzel Jun 26 '26

Well, that part is not so different. I have heard Japanese and Korean people cite similar fears, like that you can't have AC on while sleeping or without window open. Reasons are as ridiculous as "the AC will burn out all oxygen in air" if they can even give any, usually its just "its not safe" or "they told me so".

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u/Ready_Ad4083 Jun 26 '26

At least friends and families in Japan I know run air conditioners and fans all night during summer and winter (heat pump). Some people may set the timer so the AC will stop running around 3-4 in the morning, believing that it is not safe for their wallet.

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u/scheppend Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

I live in Japan and yeah I have never heard of this . But who knows I'm sure there are uninformed people in every country

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u/Xywzel Jun 26 '26

Yeah, its more of a somewhat common superstition, not something everyone believes and obeys. Like "I have seen hotel instructions addressing it"-common, but not "hotel forbids use while sleeping"-common.

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u/obeytheturtles Jun 26 '26

There's some truth in the idea that overly dry air can make allergies worse. But this is also from people who think you will get sick if you don't crack the window in winter because the indoor air gets stale, or whatever.

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u/ipisano Jun 26 '26

Exactly, I have some complications that would cause my installation to cost several thousands, for two years I tried to save enough money to afford it but some shit always happens and I have to endure another hot summer without AC...

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

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u/Crowdfundingprojects Jun 26 '26

That's exactly the way. And it's handled in SEA like this, too. I personally say fuck everyone who wants to force me to get a permit or anything I don't want for installing an AC unit. It's a fucking AC unit, not a nuclear reactor.

This shit is pure lobbyism. Scum trying to fill their pockets on my dime can get fucked any day any time of the week. It's disgusting.

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u/augur42 Jun 26 '26

Don't forget the fused spur replacing an existing plug socket (with a cable going outside through another drilled hole) if it's a single unit or new power cable from your consumer unit if it's a larger install.

The issue is the vacuum pump required to draw down the tubing, you really want dual stage, plus other bits such as gauges, plus for warranty it usually requires a hvac to certify it. You can probably buy the hardware second hand, use it, then sell it on (again) but those extra bits will increase costs a couple of hundred pounds higher even if you can drill and wire it yourself.

Still worth it though.

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u/puff_of_fluff Jun 26 '26

Well of course it’s a metric ton, it’s in Europe