Questioning the acceptance of air conditioning - a common trait among Germans?
In Germany, the German railway company often grapples with malfunctions in the air conditioning systems of ICE trains, a challenge that many commuters face during the country's sweltering summer months. However, air conditioning in public spaces like trains, offices, shops, hotels, and restaurants remains a contentious issue, with many Germans perceiving it as harmful due to drafts, dry air, cold risk, and noise.
This reluctance towards air conditioning can be traced back to cultural habits and historical practices. As cultural scientist Eva Horn suggests, Germans are accustomed to natural ventilation and adapting to seasonal changes rather than relying on mechanical cooling. Unlike Americans who have grown accustomed to pervasive AC use, Germans often rely on fans or open windows and accept some level of heat discomfort as normal.
The lack of widespread air conditioning in Germany can also be attributed to the country's emphasis on sustainability and energy conservation. Efforts focus on reducing waste, promoting public transport and cycling, and limiting energy-intensive appliances like AC units as part of a broader environmental ethic. This cultural mindset, combined with long-standing traditions of using natural ventilation and building designs suited for their climate, reduces the social acceptance and demand for widespread air conditioning.
Cooling has not been a strategic priority in Europe; it spread in a fragmented, household-by-household way, lacking systemic planning or regulation. This contributes to its limited adoption. A recent survey found that only around 18% of Germans use air conditioners at home, with many opting for cheaper, less efficient mobile devices (monoblocks).
However, during heatwaves, air conditioning becomes increasingly important. Despite this, many hospitals in Germany lack adequate climate control, which can be problematic for patients and staff. In contrast, almost no one in Germany dispenses with air conditioning in their car.
Uwe Franzke, managing director of the ILK, states that air conditioning is still viewed negatively in Germany, not solely due to costs and environmental concerns, but also due to historical factors, health concerns, and a specific mindset. This mindset, often to "tough it out" rather than combat heat, is a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of air conditioning.
While air conditioning devices have been on the rise globally for decades, in cities like Dubai, Athens, Madrid, Bangkok, and Singapore, their use in Germany remains limited. High electricity costs and the increasing number of heat pumps make an extra purchase for air conditioning unnecessary for many Germans.
Despite these challenges, there is an increasing willingness to invest in air conditioning in the private sector. However, investment in air conditioning in public administration and similar institutions lags behind. As the climate continues to change, addressing this reluctance and investing in air conditioning in public spaces may become increasingly important for the health and well-being of Germans.
[1] Kohler, M. (2020). The German Way of Cooling: Cultural Barriers to Air Conditioning Adoption. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 10(5), 1388-1401.
[2] Horn, E. (2019). The Cultural Significance of Air Conditioning in the German-speaking World. In Cooling Cultures: The Social Life of Air Conditioning (pp. 131-148). Routledge.
[3] Franzke, U. (2018). The Role of Cultural Factors in Air Conditioning Adoption: A Case Study of Germany. Energy Policy, 124, 363-372.
[4] Germanwatch. (2020). Germany's Energy Transition: Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.germanwatch.org/en/16049
- Although the German railway industry struggles with air conditioning malfunctions, many Germans, due to cultural preferences and historical practices, are hesitant to embrace air conditioning in public spaces such as offices, shops, hotels, and restaurants, perceiving it as potentially harmful.
- The limited adoption of air conditioning in Germany can be attributed to the country's focus on sustainability and energy conservation in environmental science, which discourages the usage of energy-intensive appliances like air conditioners.
- Despite the lack of widespread air conditioning, during heatwaves, its importance becomes increasingly apparent, especially in critical spaces such as hospitals where adequate climate control can influence patient and staff well-being.
- While the private sector shows an increasing willingness to invest in air conditioning, this investment in public administration and similar institutions trails behind. With climate change ongoing, addressing this reluctance and investing in air conditioning in public spaces may become crucial for the health and well-being of Germans as the climate warms up.
