Life News
Europe's June heat and homes without air con: shutters, siestas and damp sheets
Western Europe's late-June heatwave is testing homes that were never built to stay cool. The New York Times, republished by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on June 25, reported that France recorded its highest average temperature on record for any time of year and Britain a provisional 97F in a county outside London, which would be its highest June reading. Germany could reach 106F, beating its June record of 103.3F from 2019. Seventeen countries were under high-level heat warnings. Most buildings in much of Europe lack air conditioning, many British homes were built to retain heat, and about 68,000 French homes lost power on Wednesday.
"The buildings, they're just not built for hot climates" — Julie Green, London resident, via The New York Times
The Times listed basic advice: block sunny windows during the day, open windows and run fans at night, mist skin and take cold showers. It also pointed to Barcelona's climate shelters, Paris's drinking fountains and London's Cool Spaces map.
Earlier in June, after a May heatwave, Euronews gathered habits from Southern Europe from writer Ruth Wright, who lives in Sicily. Keep windows closed and covered, even with bed sheets or bamboo screens, in light colours that reflect heat, or fit awnings or shutters; hang a damp sheet in a doorway; take a siesta after a spicy lunch; and work a "second shift" from about 4pm. It said installing air conditioning in an average UK home costs about £2,500 per room, and that air conditioners and fans use 10% of the world's electricity.
How each outlet framed it
- The New York Times — records, power cuts and life in overheated city flats.
- Euronews — Mediterranean habits that cool a home without air conditioning, including a tepid rather than cold shower.
What we don't know yet: How fast homes will adapt. Euronews noted the UK Climate Change Committee recommends air conditioning in all care homes and hospitals within 10 years and in all schools within 25 years.