The fight against the heat: why an air conditioning in Berlin becomes indispensable

The fight against the heat: why an air conditioning in Berlin becomes indispensable

Suffering in a hot attic apartment is part of everyday life for many people in Berlin. The high temperatures quickly make us sweat and make sleeping agony. Air conditioning seems to be a tempting solution. But is it really worth investing in such a device?

A decisive factor in the question of air conditioning is the heat in summer. Berlin can warm up around 36 degrees in midsummer and you feel like you are in the tropics. Even at night you can wake up on your forehead with sweat beads. The shutters clatter in the wind and you long for air conditioning that blows cool air into the room.

But not everyone is enthusiastic about these boxes on the wall. Some find them annoying. These Window units are particularly widespread in Brooklyn, New York. The residents swear by it because the New York summer is hot and humid and conventional fans often do not help sufficiently. Nevertheless, you cannot ignore your volume and the argument that air conditioning systems blow cold air inwards and warm to the outside, speaks against their application.

Berlin, on the other hand, often has milder summer, which only becomes aware of when you have experienced the heat in New York. There is clear light here, always a cloud in the sky and if necessary you can drive to a lake and relax in the shade. The idea of a cold beer on the terrace in hot weather is tempting.

Nevertheless, the question of air conditioning also arises in Berlin. Many residents of attic apartments and their visitors cannot imagine without getting by. Some neighbors have already purchased bulky systems from the hardware store and use them to combat the heat. However, the trend is increasingly towards heat pumps that not only heat but also cool.

These heat pumps have become very popular due to the propaganda of the Minister of Economic Affairs. There is a lot of discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of the heat pump compared to air conditioning. An important question is also the delivery time and the possible health effects of the heat. Some people also fear that the use of these systems will harm the environment and that we could hang in a vicious circle.

Despite the debate about the advantages and disadvantages of air conditioning and heat pumps, the author decides to wait for the time being. A vacation on the Baltic Sea is coming up and autumn is almost back. For those who suffer from the heat in the attic apartment, it remains to be seen whether the temperatures will be just as high next summer and whether an investment in an air conditioning or heat pump would be worthwhile.