The A/C situation in Switzerland

[racletteforall]

Hi everyone,

This is my first summer in Switzerland, and I've been quite surprised by how unprepared the country is for heat. I understand that summers used to be milder a couple of decades ago, but after speaking with colleagues and friends, it's clear that temperatures have been rising consistently over the past few years which leaves no excuse to this lack of preparation...

What strikes me most is the absence of air conditioning, especially in offices. Having to work in high temperatures is unnecessary and significantly impacts focus and productivity. It's shocking that one of the world's wealthiest countries hasn't addressed this basic comfort issue.

While investigating why A/C is so uncommon here, I discovered that strict regulations actually limit its installation, to the point that some people end up installing it illegally. The main reason for these restrictions appears to be environmental concerns about energy consumption and climate impact.

I understand the importance of reducing pollution, but the situation feels absurd. People are suffering from heat related illnesses, yet the solution is restricted in the name of fighting climate change. Meanwhile, countries like India or China emit (contamination wise) in weeks what Switzerland produces in months.

Maybe I'm missing something and that is why I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

Thank you.

 

[gaijin]

I fully agree with your assessment. Some thoughts about it, trying to explain the situation so far.
Until last year, increasing temperatures were less tangible, not enough to motivate a real political change.
It has worked fine for the past 100 years.
Other countries (France, Italy, Spain, German) had news of people dying due to the heat. In Switzerland these numbers might have existed, but were not high enough to reach wide spread news media.
There is a certain fatalism about life and death in Switzerland. There are many people who die because of avalanches or hiking accidents in the mountains. We say that it's part of life, we don't want to overregulate how people should die.

However, I think this year was a wakeup call that will have lasting impacts on policies. I predict that we will see a loosening of regulations about air conditions and other aspects of life. However, even the situation this year was not enough to rapidly change regulations that have existed for 30-50 years. But I think it will happen eventually. It's this stability of Switzerland that is both a curse and a blessing.

 

[racletteforall]

However, even the situation this year was not enough to rapidly change regulations that have existed for 30-50 years. But I think it will happen eventually. It's this stability of Switzerland that is both a curse and a blessing.

My guess is 5 years to change regulations related to A/C

 

[Baptiste Wicht]

I completely agree. Switzerland is poorly prepared for heat. Everything is built around cold but cold is not really a problem anymore.

It's shocking that one of the world's wealthiest countries hasn't addressed this basic comfort issue.

Totally shocking indeed. And I understand people from other countries laughing at us for this issue.

This is only going to get worse if regulations don't change.

I discovered that strict regulations actually limit its installation, to the point that some people end up installing it illegally.

Yes, I have heard many small companies are installing it illegally.

The main reason for these restrictions appears to be environmental concerns about energy consumption and climate impact.

It actually does not make sense. These regulations only prevent true split A/C. And true split A/C is the most efficient form of A/C. So, what do people do instead? They turn to portable A/C, the worst form of A/C.

So, we have regulations that try to protect the environment but actually hurt it. If this regulation wants to achieve its goal, it needs to forbid all A/C, not only fixed ones. But that is not the solution, because some homes are not livable without A/C.

I understand the importance of reducing pollution, but the situation feels absurd.

Totally. And as you said, it will take many years to get it changed.

For me, the solution is to allow A/C under the condition that most, if not all, of the energy consumed is coming from renewable energy. It does not solve the entire problem since the gas in these units is still a problem, but it would be a step in the proper direction.