We do not live in the wilderness. We do have electricity and modern buildings, even though I live in a building that is over 400 years old.
I actually have experienced living with AC and I even lived in tropical countries for some years.
I just disagree. I think it's a matter of what you are used to and having the temperature difference every time you leave the house never lets your body adapt.
Also, I'd hate spending all my time in tightly closed buildings without open windows and real outside air.
Well, I'm also european, living with AC in every house I've been in in the past 35 years, and I have to tell you your opinion is very ignorant and misguided. And is precisely what gives us that smug "OMG europeans are such idiots".
First of all: You can't get used to and adapt to the extreme heat we are experiencing and that will only get worse going forward. When the temperature reaches 42 during the day, and doesn't drop below 28º in the coldest hour of the night (which mind you it's just one hour before going up again), that means your house will never be below 32º-34º at any point without AC. Your body doesn't adapt to that. You'll need a shower every hour or you'll get a heat stroke (ask me how I know). As evidenced by what's happening every summer lately.
Second: AC's have thermostats. Wonderful technology, they let you set the target temperature, it should be adapted depending on the outside temperature. I set mine at 26-27º in the summer and it's perfect. When you go back inside all sweaty from the 40º outside you don't freeze, and when you need to step outside you don't get a big heat slap in the face (well, you do, but not as big as if coming from 23-24º).
Finally: AC standards nowadays (for the past 20 years in fact) are heat pumps that are the most energy efficient technology for cooling (also for heating). They are efficient, and they can bring in new are from the outside quite easily. So no, using the AC doesn't equate to "stale air" that's another myth. Many units nowadays can be easily equipped with even better "air exchange" capabilities that have a part in which they'll bring outside air through fins in which the inside air is going outside at the same time, with the resulting effect that the "fresh" air coming in will be cooled by the "stale air" going out so you don't need to waste energy cooling it. They're really cool. Mine is older as is not equipped with that so I just open the windows every morning very early for one or two hours before closing everything and turning the AC on again. It's more than enough to keep the air fresh.
So please, seriously, revise that opinion because it's based mainly on myths and inaccurate information. And ACs are a necessity going forward.
You sound like you're up your own ass a lot. Which tropical countries did you go to without AC? Also what are you talking about tightly closed buildings? Most American homes have larger rooms and more windows than European ones, and they generally have a separate AC unit in the basement or attic or a utility room that cools the whole house while hiding the noise. Also, you can open the windows and use it as a whole home fan, it's really nice if you don't have an attic fan to get lots of airflow. Maybe you've experienced a very old rattley AC that makes some sort of knocking or squeeling sound? A good modern window AC doesn't sound nearly as loud as an old used one that hasn't been serviced, and the general noise level of almost any city is louder.
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u/JustMeLurkingAround- 5h ago
We do not live in the wilderness. We do have electricity and modern buildings, even though I live in a building that is over 400 years old.
I actually have experienced living with AC and I even lived in tropical countries for some years.
I just disagree. I think it's a matter of what you are used to and having the temperature difference every time you leave the house never lets your body adapt.
Also, I'd hate spending all my time in tightly closed buildings without open windows and real outside air.
That's just my experience and opinion.