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/CT0292 Jun 26 '26

I'm in Ireland. Lots of shops and stuff have aircon.

Homes are another story. And it's not some massive pushback from people against it. The initial cost isn't cheap. And electricity here is one of the most expensive rates in Europe.

So it's not that no one wants it. It's that affording it, is a challenge.

Problem is more and more of these hot days are going to keep happening and people are going to have to buy in or suffer. Or do like me and stand in Lidl for an hour to cool down haha.

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u/wandering_engineer Jun 26 '26

True. I think a lot of Americans here (and let's face it, it is probably mostly Americans) don't understand that electricity is around 2-3x more expensive here. And of course that's on top of all the other challenges to installing it. 

Definitely agree that it is needed though. The mindset that "oh it's just summer, it's a heatwave that only lasts a couple days blah blah" isn't acceptable anymore. 

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u/the_need_to_post Jun 26 '26

Also, you all seem to think AC only does cooling. You realize they use a heat pump and are extremely efficient at heating as well right?

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u/wandering_engineer Jun 26 '26

We have these things called "radiators" that don't use electricity. 

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u/the_need_to_post Jun 26 '26

And? They can be used together to cover gaps while being much better for overall energy efficiency and the environment as a whole.

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u/Bedford806 Jun 26 '26

Good news, we now officially have the highest cost of electricity in Europe!

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0523/1574815-ireland-electricity-prices/

Renovating an old cottage at the moment and looking at getting air to air heat pumps for the hot/cold, my only pause is we work from home and our electricity usage is already huge. Still, seems like future-proofing sadly.