Obviously a very timely article that should be useful to some. We installed A/C in my husband's law office, where I work also, which is on our house's property. It really wasn't possible to work there all day, especially in my office which is upstairs. So far we do without it pretty well in the house, but then again the Rodez area is significantly cooler than much of the south, and indeed other parts of Aveyron -- often 3-5° C lower.
As for the US, I echo what your friend Bill says about New England as it was the same in the PNW. I don't remember any houses with air conditioning growing up, although larger businesses had it, but now more people are putting it in.
Fascinating picture of an aspect of French culture. The "attitude" about AC in New England was similar - until it wasn't. You must remember that in Duxbury, there were just a few really hot days each summer. Ya just got through it.
When we were originally Inn Keepers in Maine, the idea of AC was hardly discussed. Just open your windows at night for the cooling breezes. And after all, the winters will be long and cold. How can you complain about the heat?
But...by 2001, the most frequent question asked when booking a reservation was
"Do you have AC?" It then became a matter of a business model that would fail without it.
As one who becomes downright grumpy in hot humid environments, it's clear to me that summer travel to France and much of Europe is now completely out of the question. Why suffer?
Yes, I have memories of Massachusetts summers--hot humid days when my father would activate the attic fan and open the door to the cellar to draw cool air through the house. And especially of the years I lived in the top floor of an uninsulated triple decker in Somerville. One raging hot day in summer I found an old window A/C unit on the sidewalk waiting for the rubbish pickup, hauled it up to the apartment, and it worked! The lights would dim whenever the compressor kicked in, but it cooled the bedroom. Before that I'd get ready to sleep by filling the bathtub with cold water and immersing in it for a while. (It was the opposite in winter.)
We tend not to travel around Europe in summer, but not because of A/C--most hotels, museums, etc. would have it anyway. It's more because the throngs of tourists seem ubiquitous now and we'd rather travel during the main concert season anyway.
Ah, yes. The old "whole house fan". They were very effective!
Our last trip to Europe was some time ago. Rented a villa near Orvieto. It was April. Day trips around the region. Very few tourists. I'll never understand why all the "duomos" had to paint their walls with such violence. Scare the populace into submission? Except for Assisi, of course. Francis and his animals.
The best part for me was buying artichokes and fava beans off the back of a truck. The butcher had Chianina beef...and we experienced porchetta. The latter we tried to recreate back home with limited success.
I really enjoy your letters. It takes me away from the insanity and cruelty of our current times. It is one of the several therapies I employ.
Tracks Bill. Sounds like that was a good trip to Italy. We’re lucky to have a good Italian butcher just down the street, we often also buy olive oil (from Nice) and Italian wine from him.
It is a good idea that the French figure out how to get air conditioning given the number of people who have died in the summer heat over the years. Germany has a similar culture around air conditioning to what you have mentioned in France, which is to bear with it. I am in Northern Germany and even we have heat waves. I have a heating cooling pump, which was installed when we rehabbed our old house, so all our pipes, wiring and walls are new. We also have good insulation, something I recommend if one owns one's home.
It beats the strategies I had to give my daughter for her getting through her first summer heatwave in her city as a student with no air conditioning. I taught her getting into the shower in cotton clothing that will retain the coolness on your skin for longer, and when they dry or your body gets warm get in again. Also, to have cotton cloths that are wet and to use them on the neck and head. Close the windows in the morning, and open them at night.
Everyone here ridiculed the idea of getting cooling, but I recognized that as the planet is heating up, it is always a good investment. So, my temperature indoors is controlled by thermostats and I can keep my place the same temp all year around. In the summer, the solar energy takes care of the cost for us too.
I am glad France is discussing air conditioning because it will mean Germany will too at some point.
I am nominating you for a Nobel Prize for this post. Your grasp pf the ins and outs of this issue is just fascinating. If anyone has added hot air to this climate, it is La Pen. Had to add that to the debate. I hope you and your family are able to get through the heat waves and keep your cool while doing it. to think of schools and hospitals without A/C is just mind numbing.
Frank, Coming on the heels of Netanyahu nominating his nibs for a Nobel Prize, I had to laugh at your suggestion. But thanks for commenting and for your good wishes. We're doing fine, and right now beautiful temperature weather has returned to Nice so no complaints for the moment! I hope all's well with you, too!
Excellent article with in depth analysis of the practical and political impediments of A/C in France. Something has to be done, but the way forward is, as you illustrate here, far from clear.
Obviously a very timely article that should be useful to some. We installed A/C in my husband's law office, where I work also, which is on our house's property. It really wasn't possible to work there all day, especially in my office which is upstairs. So far we do without it pretty well in the house, but then again the Rodez area is significantly cooler than much of the south, and indeed other parts of Aveyron -- often 3-5° C lower.
As for the US, I echo what your friend Bill says about New England as it was the same in the PNW. I don't remember any houses with air conditioning growing up, although larger businesses had it, but now more people are putting it in.
Fascinating picture of an aspect of French culture. The "attitude" about AC in New England was similar - until it wasn't. You must remember that in Duxbury, there were just a few really hot days each summer. Ya just got through it.
When we were originally Inn Keepers in Maine, the idea of AC was hardly discussed. Just open your windows at night for the cooling breezes. And after all, the winters will be long and cold. How can you complain about the heat?
But...by 2001, the most frequent question asked when booking a reservation was
"Do you have AC?" It then became a matter of a business model that would fail without it.
As one who becomes downright grumpy in hot humid environments, it's clear to me that summer travel to France and much of Europe is now completely out of the question. Why suffer?
Hi Bill,
Yes, I have memories of Massachusetts summers--hot humid days when my father would activate the attic fan and open the door to the cellar to draw cool air through the house. And especially of the years I lived in the top floor of an uninsulated triple decker in Somerville. One raging hot day in summer I found an old window A/C unit on the sidewalk waiting for the rubbish pickup, hauled it up to the apartment, and it worked! The lights would dim whenever the compressor kicked in, but it cooled the bedroom. Before that I'd get ready to sleep by filling the bathtub with cold water and immersing in it for a while. (It was the opposite in winter.)
We tend not to travel around Europe in summer, but not because of A/C--most hotels, museums, etc. would have it anyway. It's more because the throngs of tourists seem ubiquitous now and we'd rather travel during the main concert season anyway.
Ah, yes. The old "whole house fan". They were very effective!
Our last trip to Europe was some time ago. Rented a villa near Orvieto. It was April. Day trips around the region. Very few tourists. I'll never understand why all the "duomos" had to paint their walls with such violence. Scare the populace into submission? Except for Assisi, of course. Francis and his animals.
The best part for me was buying artichokes and fava beans off the back of a truck. The butcher had Chianina beef...and we experienced porchetta. The latter we tried to recreate back home with limited success.
I really enjoy your letters. It takes me away from the insanity and cruelty of our current times. It is one of the several therapies I employ.
Tracks Bill. Sounds like that was a good trip to Italy. We’re lucky to have a good Italian butcher just down the street, we often also buy olive oil (from Nice) and Italian wine from him.
It is a good idea that the French figure out how to get air conditioning given the number of people who have died in the summer heat over the years. Germany has a similar culture around air conditioning to what you have mentioned in France, which is to bear with it. I am in Northern Germany and even we have heat waves. I have a heating cooling pump, which was installed when we rehabbed our old house, so all our pipes, wiring and walls are new. We also have good insulation, something I recommend if one owns one's home.
It beats the strategies I had to give my daughter for her getting through her first summer heatwave in her city as a student with no air conditioning. I taught her getting into the shower in cotton clothing that will retain the coolness on your skin for longer, and when they dry or your body gets warm get in again. Also, to have cotton cloths that are wet and to use them on the neck and head. Close the windows in the morning, and open them at night.
Everyone here ridiculed the idea of getting cooling, but I recognized that as the planet is heating up, it is always a good investment. So, my temperature indoors is controlled by thermostats and I can keep my place the same temp all year around. In the summer, the solar energy takes care of the cost for us too.
I am glad France is discussing air conditioning because it will mean Germany will too at some point.
I am nominating you for a Nobel Prize for this post. Your grasp pf the ins and outs of this issue is just fascinating. If anyone has added hot air to this climate, it is La Pen. Had to add that to the debate. I hope you and your family are able to get through the heat waves and keep your cool while doing it. to think of schools and hospitals without A/C is just mind numbing.
Frank, Coming on the heels of Netanyahu nominating his nibs for a Nobel Prize, I had to laugh at your suggestion. But thanks for commenting and for your good wishes. We're doing fine, and right now beautiful temperature weather has returned to Nice so no complaints for the moment! I hope all's well with you, too!
Excellent article with in depth analysis of the practical and political impediments of A/C in France. Something has to be done, but the way forward is, as you illustrate here, far from clear.