Question:
Been hearing of the unusually hot weather in britain, and mainland
Europe lately (southern Germany 102 F!), and of course thought,
Oh dear, and they don't have air conditioning!
But, is this altogether true? Is it known what proportion of
domestic and commercial buildings now have air conditioning in Britain, and/or
Europe generally, I wonder?
Here in north texas, it's been flickering around 98 - 102 F, fairly
normal for July, and a distinct lack of rainfall. Air conditioning
units and lawn sprinklers all going like crazy!
Answer:
Well the so called portable aircon systems seems the most popular for
domestic use, the D-I-Y sheds are churing them out at resonable prices and
they are probably a good buy for the 2 weeks of hot weather we get. I have
one myself and it does a good job cooling and will no doubt be made use of
today.
Lots of commercial / office buildings have had aircon compressor units
bolted to the outside walls recently so I would imagine its a growing
industry, but the vast majority of workplaces in the UK are not
air-conditioned and the term sweatshop will apply over the next few days if
it didn't already.
No, air con is not the norm in the UK. Some of the larger shops use it.
and a few of the corporate buildings. More prevalent in the commercial
sector. But my partner works for the local council here in Folkestone, Kent
and the original open plan building with good airflow has been divided up
into little rooms and departments. The heat is stifling in there.... hot
enough to lose staff. (One girl stayed 2 days and left 'cos of the heat)
They have no air con whatsoever. Open a window, loosen your tie... use a
desk fan......but air con? No chance......
As for private homes, it's very very scarce. Central heating not standard
yet even.... Air con is considered a plaything of the rich, there is no
advertising for it on TV, I've seen none in newspapers.... I've seen a few
portable ones in the last insurance office I worked in but I had to explain
about legionaries disease as they were just recycling the same old water
condensed out of the room with no anti bacterial additives or cleaning
regime at all.... 200 people on the phones in one room with two paltry
little virus spreaders... scary stuff!
