German Doubts About Air Conditioning Commonplace?
In recent years, there has been an increasing willingness in the private sector to invest in air conditioning, but the same cannot be said for public administration and similar institutions in Germany. This reluctance is rooted in historical, cultural, and environmental factors that set Germany apart from countries like Dubai, Athens, Madrid, Bangkok, and Singapore, where air conditioning is considered essential for economic growth.
Germany's temperate climate meant that air conditioning was not considered a necessary household appliance for most people until recent years. This contrasts with Mediterranean countries like Italy or Greece, where hotter summers and heatwaves made air conditioning more essential.
A large proportion of German buildings date back to before 1980, often with thick masonry walls and designs focused on insulation and shading rather than mechanical cooling. Retrofitting air conditioning is complicated and expensive in such buildings, discouraging wide adoption.
Over half of Germans rent their homes, higher than in many other European countries, and renters often lack landlord permission or incentive to install permanent air conditioning systems. This structural housing aspect limits widespread AC installation.
Germany has a strong cultural emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental protection. Official guidance encourages passive cooling methods (opening windows at night, shading, fans) over air conditioning because of the associated energy use and emissions. This has fostered a societal preference for maintaining comfort with minimal AC.
Air conditioning is often seen in Germany more as a luxury or last resort rather than a baseline part of residential comfort, whereas in warmer European countries it has been standard for decades due to climate and lifestyle differences.
Historical factors also play a role in this reluctance. Cooling was long considered a luxury in Germany. One reason for this is that air conditioning was not necessary due to the country's cooler climate.
Cultural scientist Eva Horn suggests there is a cultural skepticism towards air conditioners in the German-speaking world, as the experience of entering an ice-cold room is unfamiliar to Germans. This is further compounded by the main concerns of many Germans regarding air conditioning: draftiness, dry air, cold risk, noise, and high electricity costs.
However, the demand for air conditioners in Germany has risen recently due to more frequent heat waves. The increasing number of heat pumps, which can also be used for cooling, has made an extra purchase for air conditioning unnecessary for many. Air conditioning systems are increasingly important in Germany due to heatwaves.
Despite these changes, there are still challenges to overcome. For instance, Germany's Deutsche Bahn often faces issues with malfunctioning air conditioning in its ICE trains. Air conditioners are viewed critically in Germany, often being described as uneconomical and unsanitary.
In contrast, almost no one today dispenses with a good car air conditioner. This suggests that while Germans may be reluctant to install air conditioning in their homes and offices, they recognise its importance in maintaining comfort during hot weather.
In summary, Germans' reluctance to use air conditioning historically reflects their cooler climate, building stock unsuited to AC retrofits, high renting rates, and a cultural emphasis on sustainability and alternative cooling. This pattern is only now beginning to shift as heatwaves increase.
[1] Klima- und Energieforschung.de. (2021). Klimaschutz: Warmere Sommer werden häufiger. [Online]. Available: https://www.klima-energie-forschung.de/news/klimaschutz-warmere-sommer-werden-haeufiger
[2] European Commission. (2021). Energy Efficiency in Buildings. [Online]. Available: https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/energy-efficiency-buildings_en
[3] Deutsche Welle. (2021). Why Germany is slow to adopt air conditioning. [Online]. Available: https://www.dw.com/en/why-germany-is-slow-to-adopt-air-conditioning/a-58302435
[4] Statista. (2021). Air conditioning ownership in Germany 2007-2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1003652/air-conditioning-ownership-in-germany/
[5] Deutsche Welle. (2021). Why Germany's heatwave is a test for the country's climate resilience. [Online]. Available: https://www.dw.com/en/why-germanys-heatwave-is-a-test-for-the-countrys-climate-resilience/a-59176762
- In contrast to other sports like tennis or basketball that require air conditioning to ensure player comfort, weather conditions in Germany typically allow for outdoor events to be held without air conditioning, making it less of a necessity for sports facilities.
- As other sports leagues around the world have adopted air conditioning to cope with warm environments, German football clubs have relied on creative solutions such as scheduled breaks, shade systems, and water-misting fans to maintain player comfort during matches, highlighting the country's ongoing resistance to widespread air conditioning adoption.
