Why Germans don't have air conditioning
Key takeaways
- Unlike the US or parts of Asia, many homes in Germany and northern Europe aren't equipped to deal with extreme heat.
- But across large parts of Europe, the solution is often decidedly low-tech: shut the shades, fire up the fan and keep plenty of ice water within reach.
- Around 90% of people living in the US have air conditioning at home, according to the US Department of Energy.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Unlike the US or parts of Asia, many homes in Germany and northern Europe aren't equipped to deal with extreme heat. But as the world gets hotter, trends are changing.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Fx ZEAir conditioners are common in many parts of the world — why not across Europe?Image: Blend Images/Shestock/Bildagentur-online/picture alliance Advertisement In countries like the United States, Australia and Japan, the hot, sticky summer months are made bearable by the blast of chilled air provided by a humming air conditioner.
But across large parts of Europe, the solution is often decidedly low-tech: shut the shades, fire up the fan and keep plenty of ice water within reach.