Random Rants

[endo]

No, we‘re stuck between Heilbronn and Manheim on our way to a family gathering. It‘s supposed to to be even 42° there (Rhine valley). It‘s just crazy.

[SKT]

@endo awful. Are these temps you’re experiencing record breaking?

[endo]

They already are.

[SKT]

Stay safe my friend

[tody]

38° outside... haven't left the house today as of yet. and no, a/c isn't a thing over here.

[SKT]

@tody honestly how do you stay cool? Do you use fans. I know this is a dumb American question but curious

[jdwaid]

41c is insanely hot. Hope you all stay safe.

[tody]

@SKT still just a hair below 30° inside. at least we have a fan blowing in the living room.

[SKT]

@tody we are coddled over here. My delicate sensibilities would not do well in that heat without a/c. Stay safe and hydrated…hope it breaks soon.

[ARNC]

It’s down to “just” 29°C here today but still feels grim. At least it’s almost over. Hope DE and AT aren’t far behind. 41°C is nuts.

[Tago Mago]

Monday can’t come soon enough

[Tago Mago]

It’s Monday…

[goosehd]

@Tago-Mago ooof! 🥵

[EdH]

That last heat wave broke me. I'm making enquiries about A/C, even with the house on the market. Me and half the UK in all liklihood, probably won't be able to get it installed until winter.

[goosehd]

@EdH …when the little ones are uncomfortable, no one sleeps! Good luck

[jdwaid]

Dumb American question, but do you all have spaces where you can access air conditioning? Cars, malls, movie theatres, anything like that? In the US during severe heat waves they set up emergency cooling areas for the elderly and people without access to AC, which can be life saving especially for vulnerable groups.

[popvulture]

I'd imagine probably a lot less — I know central air in general is a whole lot rarer. Hopefully they do have some designated spaces.

I remember when I'd moved to Austin from NYC, I went back after a while for a visit during the summer and was like JFC IT'S SO HOT EVERYWHERE. Predominantly window units, oy — amazing how quickly I'd gotten used to Texas air conditioning. Conversely, I'd also become much more of a wuss about the cold, haha. Anyway, I'm guessing that NY summer heat is a lot like what's going on in Europe. Doesn't sound fun.

[EdH]

@jdwaid I did read about some places setting these up, but then I also read about various local councils giving people crap for running their A/C "unless absolutely necessary" because it was going to impact their green targets. Mf, the only person who should decide whether to run their A/C is the person in the house.

[tody]

@jdwaid the answer is yes, basically.
Cologne opened up a designated area in the halls of the trade fair, and there are a lot of other spaces available. in our case on friday, it was the IKEA store but churches are usually cooler, and malls generally do have a/c. even the local supermarket may be enough.

in my case, this accelerated our plans. when we got our house over a decade ago, i opted out on getting a PV system installed on the roof, mainly due to budget reasons. i will get one asap, and the next steps in the fall/winter will be an a/c system. i'll also give the idea of swapping out the gas powered heater for a heatpump a second thought. time to ditch the fossil fuels...

[jdwaid]

@EdH @tody thanks for the insights. When my wife was pregnant with our first born we traveled through France and Croatia during a heat wave. No AC in France but our lodgings in Croatia had them. When I was in Dublin a few years later I think there was a window AC but the weather was perfect (in July) and didn’t need it. Lack of AC along with no ice and smoking indoors were probably some of the earliest cultural differences I was quick to notice.

Glad some spaces are open for people to get relief.