The air conditioner was born for a century. Why is it so low in Europe?

Author:Look at the think tank Time:2022.07.29

The northern hemisphere in July is usually the most unbearable season of the year. Sitting in an air -conditioned house to eat watermelon is the most comfortable enjoyment. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yao once said: "Air conditioning is the most meaningful invention in history."

However, it is quite surprising that as the origin of the industrial revolution, the installation rate of European air conditioners is very low. According to data from the International Energy Agency, European air conditioning penetration rate is only about 5%.

In contrast, the United States reaches 90%, Japan is 89%, India is 6%, and China is 60%.

Especially this year, the European climate is particularly abnormal, and the average annual temperature does not exceed 25 degrees Celsius London. This year, the temperature has exceeded 40 degrees many times. High -temperature red warning, even announced the emergency state of the country.

France, which is across the sea, does not give up, announcing that it has observed the high temperature in history, the temperature is as high as 41 degrees Celsius. High temperature even caused 20,000 hectares of forests in Grendet, southwest of France. The fire raged the forest, and more than 37,000 people were evacuated urgently.

Since Europe has hot weather, why is the penetration rate so low?

On July 19, a woman was in the sun on the Rhine Rhine in Steper, Germany. Xinhua News Agency/Euoxin

Wen | Chen Zhizhen

This article is reproduced from the WeChat public account "National Human History" (ID: GJRWLS). The original first published on July 22, 2022. The original title was "Europe is so hot in summer, why is the air conditioning penetration rate only 5%? ", Does not mean looking at the view of the think tank.

Air conditioning -a history of human heat resistance

Air conditioning as the name implies -Air Conditioning. It mainly refers to the process of adjusting the temperature of the environmental air in the building to regulate control. Generally, the use of cold source equipment, hot and cold medium transmission and distribution system, end device and other auxiliary equipment. It mainly includes water pumps, fan and pipeline systems. The ending device is responsible for using the heat and cold capacity of the transmission and distribution, and the specific treatment of air and temperature to make the air temperature of the target environment achieve the appropriate temperature of people.

According to historical records, as early as around the 10th century AD, the Persians invented an ancient air regulation system. By using the wind rods installed on the roof to capture the cool natural wind on the roof, at the same time, the air duct was used to make it to make it to make it to make it to make it to make it to make them make it Pass through cold water and blow into the room, so that people in the room feel cool.

In ancient China, the dignitarian nobles of the Tang Dynasty in the Tang Dynasty would use a facility called "Liangwu". Generally, it was built by the river. Waterwheels were built next to the river water. When you come down, the flowing water will take away the calories of the entire house. During the Tang Xuanzong period, the famous Daming Palace was built with the Liang Temple, and many water trucks were set up inside and outside the building.

"Tang Yulin · Hao Shuang" records that when Chen Zhijie was invited to Li Longji's Hanyang Temple one day, he saw "(Tang Xuanzong) the water fans and the wind hunting laid". When the couch ", I felt" Yin Yin groaning, I didn't see the day.

There is no doubt that in ancient times, only the real dignitaries were expensive to enjoy, so that they enjoyed a moment of coolness in the summer.

The real modern air conditioner was born until the 19th century. In 1842, Doctor Florida Dr. John B. Gali made ice with compressor technology to provide a cool air for the hospitals in the hospital in Abbaracho, Florida.

He wanted to use this ice -making technology to adjust the temperature of the building and apply for a patent. However, due to lack of funds, it has not been realized.

In 1901, Willis Carrier just graduated from the University of Conner University from the University of Conner University. As a fresh graduate, Kaeli worked at a printing and publishing company. Due to the influence of the heat and humidity of the paper and ink, it was impossible to print an accurate color. In order to solve this problem, in 1902, Kaili invented the first modern and power -promoted air regulation system, and modern air conditioners were born.

After several years of repeated experiments, Kaidi obtained a patent on January 2, 1906, and established a well -known Kaili air -conditioning company in 1915 to start specializing in air -conditioning equipment. Human beings have achieved key victory in confrontation.

However, during this period, the air conditioner during this period is too large and expensive. Only large enterprises and public involved units can bear the cost of use. Therefore, it will take some time to truly allow everyone to enjoy the beauty of the air conditioner.

In 1922, Cairi invented the centrifugal refrigeration machine, which greatly reduced the cooling cost. In 1928, scientists led by Thomas Mikily invented chlorofluoroccuorocarbon as a refrigerator for refrigerator. The agent, because the past frozen agents (such as ammonia and sulfur dioxide) are flammable or toxic. For the first time, the invention of chloride hydrocarbons was used as a refrigerant for non -flammable liquid, which greatly improved the safety of air -conditioning refrigeration equipment.

After the refrigerators and refrigerants were invented, the real home air conditioner was born quickly. In 1929, a company in Chinese was "Frigidaire" company launched the first indoor air conditioner in human history. Since then, the air conditioner has really moved towards millions of households, and human beings have achieved historic victories in the process of fighting in the heat. 2

Europeans do not install air conditioners.

The air conditioner has invented for more than a century. Why is the penetration rate of air conditioning in Europe so low? Is it quite heat -resistant to Europeans? In fact, there are historical reasons for Europeans in the past few decades. It can be explained from the aspects of climate, installation costs and environmental protection.

The first is the climate. Especially in Europe, especially Western European countries, most of them belong to the Tempeerate Marine Climate. The characteristics of temperate marine climate are the gentle and humid throughout the year, the winter is not severe, the summer has no cool summer, the coldest monthly average temperature is above 0 degrees Celsius, the hottest monthly average temperature is below 25 degrees Celsius, the annual temperature difference is small, and the annual precipitation distribution is relatively uniform. Essence British gentlemen must have an umbrella when they go out, because no one really knows when it will rain.

Therefore, the general air -conditioning installation rate in Europe is relatively low. In such a cool climate atmosphere throughout the year, there is no need to install air conditioners, and the tradition of air conditioning is not formed. Even once who wants to install the air conditioner, you have to solicit the opinions of your neighbors, you must agree.

Secondly, the cost of installing air conditioners is really scary. Economic concerns are probably the main reason why many European families cannot install air conditioners. The price of air conditioners in Europe is not expensive, but the high labor costs in Europe make the installation of air conditioners a big problem. A normal split air conditioner of 700 euros (about RMB 4840), the installation cost is often the same as the air conditioner itself, and the slightly larger split air conditioner, the installation price is generally about 2,000 euros (about 13,800 yuan). It is even higher. So sometimes, even if you can afford the air conditioner, it is likely to be unavailable.

The outbreak of Russia and Ukraine this year, the electricity costs of European countries have also skyrocketed. According to the European Data Company (Statista), the top three are European countries on the World Household Electricity Police Ranking in 2020. Greece sets the highest monthly electricity price level in Europe, reaching 211.7 euros per MWh, equivalent to 1.48 euros/degrees/degree , Italy, the largest imported country imported from the European Union, followed closely, reaching 210.5 euros per MWh, equivalent to 1.47 euros/degree.

After Russia and Ukraine's conflict, the electricity expenses of European countries soared. Today, many European countries are facing a crisis of living costs, and 30%of families have even started to arrears with water and electricity costs because they are unable to pay. Taking Germany as an example, the price of 1 degree in Germany in 2021 was around 0.30 euros (about 2 yuan), and in early 2022 to 0.35 euros (about RMB 2.4), in July 2022, it soared to 0.44 euros in July 2022 (About RMB 3 yuan). Compared with the electricity price of residents in my country for a long time, it is expensive for European electricity.

Finally, the reason for environmental protection is that Europeans have been advocating themselves with less air conditioning for environmental protection, and developed a variety of ways to heat up. For example, there are a large number of fountains in Europe, and the fountains can become a good place for people to relieve heat. At the same time, many lakes and forests are open for free. When they encounter high temperature weather, Europeans prefer to cool down outdoors.

The Germans often gathered in the lake and leisure, and the French prefer to enjoy the coolness of water in public waters. However, with the continuity of high temperature, the original cooling method gradually could not meet the needs of Europeans. The demand for air conditioners by Europeans also increased greatly, and environmental protection claims did not break.

The hot Europe may be the norm

On July 19, British time, Petteri Taalas, Secretary -General of the World Meteorological Organization, said at the press conference that Britain reached the historical highest temperature of 39.1 degrees Celsius, and it is expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius later that day. Robert Stefanski, the director of applied weather service, also said that from the perspective of all models of partners at all models of the country and region, Europe's current heat wave may not end in the middle of next week.

Tallas said that due to climate change, new high temperature records and heat waves are becoming more and more frequent. According to data from meteorological organizations, the current scale and degree of heat waves will frequently appear in the next few decades, and the negative trend of climate change will continue until the 1960s, which has nothing to do with people's success in slowing climate change.

Professor Stephen Belcher, chief expert of the British Meteorological Administration, also mentioned: "The extreme temperature that Britain has adopted today is unprecedented in history. If human factors are not considered, British temperature cannot be achieved. 40 degrees Celsius. "The professor also pointed out that now the temperature in Europe has risen," the main reason is that the concentration of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere increases, resulting in the average temperature of at least 1 degree Celsius. If the discharge of greenhouse gas is not limited, before the end of this century , Britain may often have a temperature of more than 40 degrees Celsius, and the British people need to adapt to these extreme events. " The climate in history always circulates between warmth and cold, and air conditioners are used as modern technology products, which helps people adapt to extreme weather to a certain extent. Will the future high -temperature weather allow Europeans to break through the tradition, carry high costs, and install a air conditioner in gritting teeth? Perhaps it depends on whether people will develop a few low -carbon summer methods.

Reference materials:

[1] Xinhua News Agency: "World Meteorological Organization: European heat waves will continue to affect the next decades"

[2] https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-s/press-ill/news/Weather-nd-ClImate/2022/record-temperatos-2022-a- review

[3] Nikko Komuri Chunping, Liu Jun and Wang Chunsheng, translated: "Millions of Air Conditioning Technology", 2012 Edition of Science Press.

[4] Xinhua News Agency: "World Meteorological Organization: European heat waves will continue to affect the next decades"

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