Europe’s stubborn resistance to air conditioning is a growing health risk

The American approach to cooling is often excessive, with internal temperatures frequently locked at 18 °C regardless of the sweltering humidity outside. This standard has been embedded in US infrastructure since the mid-20th century, consuming up to 40 percent of household electricity during peak summer months. While the energy cost is undeniable, the ubiquity of these systems ensures that even the most vulnerable households maintain a safe environment during extreme weather events.

In contrast, the Czech Republic and much of Europe treat indoor cooling with resignation. During recent heatwaves, major hospitals and schools have operated without climate control, leaving patients and staff to endure temperatures exceeding thirty degrees. While modern factories and high-end offices prioritize cooling to protect sensitive machinery or bolster business, residential and public sectors remain largely neglected. Treating cooling as a form of American decadence ignores the reality that for the infirm or the elderly, a stable indoor temperature is no longer a matter of comfort, but a necessity for survival in a warming climate.