Paris English Forums

Shirley Cheadle

Why there are no ACs in Paris apartments?
Are people in Europe against AC?

johny-johny · Paris Forums Visitor Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 50

I don't think anyone is against air conditioning, just the cost of running it. Costs for running a/c in the US are relatively low, compared to here!

politicgirls

Everything seems hugely expensive in Europe. The electricity, housing, gasoline. How do you make ends meet? Of course with cheap public transport, who needs cars? I suppose the high taxation pays for that so you don't have money for the other stuff Americans seem to take for granted? What percentage of income does electricity take from your budget, on average?
It's not so bad in Europe particularly the UK, especially as we rarely have the need for air conditioning! It costs me nothing extra to make icecubes as I have a large freezer anyway, and freezers actually work more efficiently when they're full so I fill the gaps with icetrays!
The average wage in a lot of European countries is quite low ( sorry I don't have figures) France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and the UK have good average salaries, but places like Greece earn much less! I think the only thing we don't have that you take for granted is air conditioning! Which due to power costs in a lot of European countries is the one thing that most households don't have, although you'll find it in hotels, shops and restaurants!