Why is AC not common in Germany?

Author: London Hamill Sr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Most German homes do not have air conditioning and while there are many factors to consider, primarily: air conditioning is highly inefficient; it's expensive to install and operate; it's not cost effective, and it's only really beneficial for a few weeks out of each summer.

Why don't Germans use air conditioning?

The climate in many parts of Germany is temperate, with cooler summers, which historically reduced the need for air conditioning. Instead, many homes use natural ventilation, fans, and sometimes heating systems that can also provide cooling.

Is it illegal to have AC in Germany?

You are free to buy and operate an AC in Germany if you want to, no law will stop you. Just because most people in a country don't want to buy or use something does not mean that they are "hostile" towards it and are under pressure to justify their behavior. The majority of people worldwide do not have an AC at home.

How do Germans stay cool without AC?

1. Embrace the German Architecture 🏢
  1. Keep windows and blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day to prevent heat from entering.
  2. Open windows at night when temperatures drop to let cooler air in.
  3. Utilize heavy curtains or reflective window films to block out sunlight.

Why is AC not popular in Europe?

Throughout Europe, housing regulations ban it for a variety of reasons including energy inefficiency, aesthetics (that AC units look ugly on the outside of 18th Century buildings) and cost (when tenants don't pay utility bills directly), to name just a few.

You don't need air conditioning anymore!

Which country uses the most air conditioning?

In 2016, three countries alone accounted for two-thirds of the world's air conditioning units: China, the US and Japan. In 2022, the penetration rate of air conditioning was 90 per cent in the US and only 19 per cent in Europe, according to data from the IEA.

Is AC common in Japan?

Japanese summers can get hot. Not to mention humid. Luckily, air conditioners (known locally as エアコン or “air con”) are abundant. You'll find them everywhere in Japan, from houses and apartments to public facilities — they're used for both heating and cooling.

How common is AC in Germany?

Around one in eight German households already use air-condition units, according to a survey by price comparison website Verivox. “Eighty seven percent of respondents get by without an air conditioner until now, while 16 percent are planning to purchase one.

Why do Germans open windows in the cold?

But opening the windows doesn't just get fresh air into the home; in the winter, leaving the windows open will also drop a room's temperature — and colder temperatures are associated with better sleep.

How do German houses stay cool in summer?

That's because German buildings are constructed with thick walls and good insulation – keeping your apartment warm in winter and cool in summer, as long as you don't introduce the external heat of sunlight!

Is it illegal to sleep outside in Germany?

While spending the night in a tent is prohibited almost everywhere in Germany outside of official campgrounds, bivouacking is generally allowed. This is sleeping without a tent, i.e. only with a sleeping bag or under a tarp, limited to one night.

Is AC forbidden in Switzerland?

Homes and hospitals are forbidden from having A/C. Shopping centers are allowed. I worked several years designing and installing commercial hvac systems in Switzerland. Plenty of offices, banks, museums etc. have ACs.

Do trains in Germany have AC?

High-Speed Trains

ICE trains are also the most luxurious trains with air conditioning, wifi, in-seat charging, and food options (usually a restaurant and the BordBistro).

Why does Germany have bad air quality?

The main causes of air pollution in Germany are road traffic, emissions from power stations, industrial processes (including solvent emissions), heating with fossil fuels, agriculture and waste treatment.

How much is AC in Germany?

The average cost of buying and installing a split air conditioner is between €1,600 and €3,250. These costs include installation. For a multi-split air conditioner, you will pay between €3,000 and €5,550 for installation and purchase.

How hot does it get in Germany in the summer?

overview. July is one of the best times to visit Germany and, naturally, the peak tourist season and therefore a relatively expensive time of the year to visit. Temperatures are in the range of 77°F – 84°F, though there is a high likelihood of rain.

Why do German houses have two front doors?

He traces the two-door house back to the combined dwelling house and animal stall—sometimes called a “housebarn” or Wohnstallhaus — which existed in every Germanic area of Europe in the first millennium. At first there were separate entrances to the animal stalls and the dwelling portion of these large houses.

Why are German winters so cold?

Winters in the North German Plain tend to be consistently colder, if only by a few degrees, than in the south, largely because of winds from Scandinavia. There is also a general decrease of winter temperature from west to east, with Berlin having an average temperature in January of 31.5 °F (−0.3 °C).

What is the German tradition of airing out the house?

The practice is known as lüften ("ventilate" in English) and involves opening the windows of your home every day in order to ensure that there is an exchange of air: the stale, dirty indoor air goes out and is replaced by fresh air from the outdoors.

Why does most of Europe not have AC?

The first is that Europeans just don't need AC. Until recent years, European weather was pretty stable with low humidity, and only July and August saw temperatures get very hot. Because of this, there is just no need to install an AC system and only use it infrequently during 2 months of the year.

Do German hospitals have AC?

Summers in Germany are getting hotter, not all hospitals were ideally designed, and many are also struggling with the ever-increasing heat output of all the equipment installed within. This means that more and more hospitals are installing a/c.

What is AC grade in Germany?

Due to "grade inflation" in the US, many people say that there are now only three grades, 'A' (4.0), 'B' (3.0) and 'C' (2.0). A 'C' grade in the US is approximately a 3.0 in the German system but would be considered just about average by US employers and colleges.

Why is AC so common in the US?

2. Americans with AC like to keep their homes chilly. American households are far more likely to have AC than their European counterparts in part because cool air has always been a necessity in some regions of the U.S., like the humid South and the desert Southwest.

What city uses the most AC?

The data of the “World Air Survey” shows that compared to a dozen other cities across the globe, residents of Houston, Texas have the highest average per-hour usage of their a/c units. 41% of Houston residents reported to run their a/c 24/7.

Is AC common in Switzerland?

Air conditioning in one in ten Swiss homes

“For some people who may struggle to sleep at night, air conditioning has become a necessity.”

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