COST. People don’t have the money to spend installing aircon to save themselves from a couple of weeks of discomfort per year.

You know when quite literally every person in Hong Kong can afford an AC, it's not a cost issue.

At the point there is a noticeable mortality spike, it’s not just a few weeks of discomfort eh?

Still doesn’t solve the cost factor. If you don’t have the money you don’t have the money. And if you barely have the money you’re probably going to take the risk because the risk is still very low.

It's not just cost. Many people in Germany claim they get sick or experience neck pain the instant they stand under an AC. I cannot relate at all and I'm very puzzled, but at the same time I don't want to deny their experience.

I'm Lithuanian and that's my pet peeve when making fun of my culture. I think it comes from homeopathy BS that has roots in Germany.

Funny enough Germans appreciate good ventilation, but here we have following: wind outside - ok, same wind inside (draft) - you killing me. Always wear slippers inside, protect your feet and neck from coldness. Avoid AC at all costs, especially bad if it blows right into your face. Also no fans right into your face or body. Wet hair - do not under any circumstances go outside. Even the most respected people I know fall into this trap.

Possibly some confusion comes from rhinorrhea - people mix up these symptoms with actual disease. And most ironically lack of appropriate ventilation increases spread of respiratory infections.

Last decade+ we had a bit of a HRV fad, wonder if that is reflected in some stats. Anecdotally I heard people shut these off to save power and open window instead...

My grandparents were German and they always said all of that, TIL not all of it might be correct.

and regulatory hurdles in many locations, you can't really install AC in many buildings because there's nowhere to put the external unit

You don't need an external unit. Window AC (including casement sized) exists as well as portable AC.

Most European windows open sideways. Scientists are stumped with not solution.

That doesn't matter for portable AC. Most people build a plexiglass or foamboard plug for the open window. Some products are sold already set up like this. If you can fit a casement AC that also probably doesn't matter. You can probably remove the window too I'm guessing.

Portable AC exists and people do use it, but it's loud and awkward with casement windows. This is a bandaid solution at best. Yet, I've seen them sold out in the summer, so people do use them.

I actually have a casement AC unit as well.

I don’t get it. How much do AC units cost in EU? I can buy one for, like, $200-300.

You'll probably want a split unit. Minimum $600 including install in Eastern Europe, but more likely to be over 1k.

Extrapolate salaries, cost of living and that's more like 3k in your money.

That said magic happens when government subsidizes things. Friend spent 8k euro for 10kW solar + 15kWH battery system, of which government reimbursed 7.8k. 1.35k USD for entire system, when you'd pay this much for someone to plug some cables for half a day.

Still way cheaper than the funerals?