I feel bad for Belle and Gaston in this European heat wave.

[WhatDinosaur]

If the EU are ahead in green energy as far as they claim to be, then that shouldn’t be an issue. The USA and Canada are the size of Europe and don’t really have that issue.

The power grids in the US assume most houses/businesses/buildings have AC and are sized accordingly. Even the Texas grid is strained on very hot days because of the AC use.

 

[SirDuff]

Why can’t the USA just sell the EU portable AC units given the current crisis?

You know we have them in stores here, right?

 

[Buzz Rules]

You know we have them in stores here, right?

Actually, I didn’t. Then it’s just ridiculous that most Europeans don’t have them. Especially if global warming is having this kind of an impact.

 

[SirDuff]

Actually, I didn’t. Then it’s just ridiculous that most Europeans don’t have them. Especially if global warming is having this kind of an impact.

This is still rare. Last summer, we barely got above 20-25C and the summer before may have had 2-3 days in the 30Cs. Not worth it to most people. Now, as you say, with global warming, things seem to be changing so more people will likely get them (Switzerland does actually have regulations around/against central air conditioning, but there are options) but for now, most don’t bother.

Personally, I have a couple good Dyson fans and an apartment that is designed to get a lot of cross breezes (many apartments here are transverse for this reason) and am fine. My offices has an “air cooling” system and is a very pleasant temperature (it’s not like my old US officer where I needed a cardigan all summer, but it is nice and cool).

 

[Buzz Rules]

Info on Belle’s real actual village from the original fairytale:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villeneuve,_Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

https://www.francethisway.com/places/a/villeneuve-alpes-de-haute-provence.php

 

[meggiebeth]

Are AC units expensive to buy?

Late reply, but I imagine that to fit a full AC system in a British house would cost a lot since our houses aren’t designed to accommodate them. Fitting a full AC system just wouldn’t happen - I don’t know anyone who has one personally and haven’t heard of any residential buildings that have them.

You can purchase a portable AC unit for one room for $300-1000 which can help, but they’re really expensive to run, especially at the moment with our energy bills almost double what they were last year.

 

[ratherbeshiny]

Not growing up with AC, I find it all a bit weird!

 

[Buzz Rules]

Late reply, but I imagine that to fit a full AC system in a British house would cost a lot since our houses aren’t designed to accommodate them. Fitting a full AC system just wouldn’t happen - I don’t know anyone who has one personally and haven’t heard of any residential buildings that have them.

You can purchase a portable AC unit for one room for $300-1000 which can help, but they’re really expensive to run, especially at the moment with our energy bills almost double what they were last year.

What’s the hottest temperature it usually gets in England during the summertime?

 

[Mysterian]

Info on Belle’s real actual village from the original fairytale:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villeneuve,_Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

https://www.francethisway.com/places/a/villeneuve-alpes-de-haute-provence.php

Unless it was part of the original fairy tale, I'll bet they love that Disney portrays them as a town where nobody reads. (Except Belle.)

 

[Buzz Rules]

Unless it was part of the original fairy tale, I'll bet they love that Disney portrays them as a town where nobody reads. (Except Belle.)

It is the village in the original 1750’s story.

 

[meggiebeth]

What’s the hottest temperature it usually gets in England during the summertime?

Most summer days are early to mid 20s, or high 20s at most (Celsius) so no need for AC unless we reach the upper 20s. The last few years though we’ve had some big heatwaves where we’ve seen temperatures 30 degrees plus. It’s only reached 40 once, and high 30s a couple of times. But when it does it’s really hard to deal with - mostly we just open all the windows and put fans everywhere!

 

[Mysterian]

It is the village in the original 1750’s story.

Unless it was part of the original fairy tale, I'll bet they love that Disney portrays them as a town where nobody reads. (Except Belle.)

 

[Buzz Rules]

Well for the time period, it’s accurate. City people in France were more literate than village folk at the time.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Most summer days are early to mid 20s, or high 20s at most (Celsius) so no need for AC unless we reach the upper 20s. The last few years though we’ve had some big heatwaves where we’ve seen temperatures 30 degrees plus. It’s only reached 40 once, and high 30s a couple of times. But when it does it’s really hard to deal with - mostly we just open all the windows and put fans everywhere!

Central air could solve that issue if it could be run on green energy.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I wonder if more Europeans have bought AC units this time around given the heat wave we have felt on both sides of the Atlantic?

 

[mousefan73]

Is air conditioning not common for a reason?

Here in Germany the reasons are:
1. No real need to invest so much money as the number of truely hot days is limited per year. In the states most states have AC running from end of May-end of August. heat waves are hit or misses. So far we have had only 2 days of REALLY unbearable heat, but the house was cooler vs outside.
2. Lower humidity. it is hot, but due to the lower humidity at times not so oppressive. You can "deal with it" better
3. Energy costs. Many Germans I know woud rather suffer vs pay a cent.
4. The belief that a draft or cold AC Air will cause a stiff neck, a cold or sudden death ( sarcasm here but how some react you would believe it)
5. Homes do not have forced air heat so installing AC is a different game
6. In Germany AC is now more wide spread it is avail in blds/offices more than one would think
7. Homes and bldgs are greatly insulated where shutting external blinds to darken rooms will keep things cool. This only works as the dew points can be much lower. If it's a humid day doesn work so much.
8. Germany has thousands of public pools, so due to the work life balance here, many are there or in lakes during heat waves.


I have lived here for decades, had many heat waves, we are able to deal with it, by closing windows and completly darking windows on sun side with external heat resistent blinds.. and open up at night when it does usually cool a bit. if it gets muggy a regular fan will work. I recall back in the states a fan was worthless iin florida etc.. here they help.

 

[mousefan73]

I wonder if more Europeans have bought AC units this time around given the heat wave we have felt on both sides of the Atlantic?

We bought a standing unit- PIA to get the hot our outside via this tubing.. We have it upstairs where it gets hotter, but to be honest have only turned it on maybe 2 days this year and we have a hotter than normal year.. We get by with fans and darking the home and closing if off to the heat.

 

[mousefan73]

oh no! vampire thread

 

[Buzz Rules]

oh no! vampire thread

No. Relevant thread due to the heat wave we are having on both sides of the Atlantic. I just didn't want to start another thread while this one already exists.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Honestly that kind of sounds like a health violation for a university.

I follow some Disney streamers from Disneyland Paris and they are all looking a little ragged right now. Another reason for no AC in Europe is the high costs of electricity. They are really suffering right now.