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Switzerland is literally the worst. Homes and hospitals are forbidden from having A/C. Shopping centers are allowed.

by tomp 3y ago

jacquesm 3y ago
They are forbidden from installing split units, but you can have monoblocs as long as they are not fixed. So there is some relief.
- xavieralexandre 3y ago
  You are not forbidden at the Federal level to have fixed units. But many states do indeed requires a permit to install fixed units. And have strict regulations such as self producing half of the electricity required by the installation. Here are a few examples of such regulations: - Geneva (the most strict state): https://www.ge.ch/installations-techniques-rafraichissement/climatisation-confort https://www.ge.ch/installations-techniques-rafraichissement/... - Fribourg: https://bdlf.fr.ch/app/fr/texts_of_law/770.1/art/16 https://bdlf.fr.ch/app/fr/texts_of_law/770.1/art/16 - Vaud: https://www.vd.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/themes/environnement/energie/fichiers_pdf/FAQ-batiment-energie-nov19.pdf https://www.vd.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/themes/environnement... One of the side effect of such regulation is that many business and houses will use cheap non-fixed units with open door and windows instead of installing proper reversible heat pumps.
ricardobayes 3y ago
Forbidden, as in, illegal? How did that came to be?
- tomp 3y ago
  Green ideology? Degrowth mindset? The Swiss are very “save energy” oriented. Apparently some people have a hard time understanding that A/C use coincides perfectly with solar power generation.
  - ricardobayes 3y ago
    That region of the world has some weird laws for sure. Just today I read about someone who was fined for leaving his car windows rolled down parked on the street. Actual article (in German) https://www.bild.de/regional/muenchen/muenchen-aktuell/rosenheim-autofenster-aufgelassen-15-euro-bussgeld-84644398.bild.html https://www.bild.de/regional/muenchen/muenchen-aktuell/rosen...
Schweigi 3y ago
I worked several years designing and installing commercial hvac systems in Switzerland. Plenty of offices, banks, museums etc. have ACs. It’s definitely allowed. But you will need a permit to install a fixed system if it affect/changes the building facade. The reason why most homes don’t have one is that it’s too expensive for the 3-5 days a year you need it. Especially the new minergy houses can keep cool very well even during summer without an AC.
- tomp 3y ago
  > Especially the new minergy houses can keep cool very well even during summer without an AC. Your mileage might vary. I've personally lived in 2 different "minergie" apartments over the past 2 years (3 summers) and one of them (large, facing away from the sun) was mostly bearable (though I'd still prefer A/C), whereas the other (smaller, facing midday sun) was really hot.
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]

Switzerland is literally the worst. Homes and hospitals are forbidden from having A/C. Shopping centers are allowed.

by tomp 3y ago

Switzerland is literally the worst. Homes and hospitals are forbidden from having A/C. Shopping centers are allowed.

They are forbidden from installing split units, but you can have monoblocs as long as they are not fixed. So there is some relief.

xavieralexandre 3y ago
You are not forbidden at the Federal level to have fixed units. But many states do indeed requires a permit to install fixed units. And have strict regulations such as self producing half of the electricity required by the installation. Here are a few examples of such regulations: - Geneva (the most strict state): https://www.ge.ch/installations-techniques-rafraichissement/climatisation-confort https://www.ge.ch/installations-techniques-rafraichissement/... - Fribourg: https://bdlf.fr.ch/app/fr/texts_of_law/770.1/art/16 https://bdlf.fr.ch/app/fr/texts_of_law/770.1/art/16 - Vaud: https://www.vd.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/themes/environnement/energie/fichiers_pdf/FAQ-batiment-energie-nov19.pdf https://www.vd.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/themes/environnement... One of the side effect of such regulation is that many business and houses will use cheap non-fixed units with open door and windows instead of installing proper reversible heat pumps.

ricardobayes 3y ago

Forbidden, as in, illegal? How did that came to be?

tomp 3y ago
Green ideology? Degrowth mindset? The Swiss are very “save energy” oriented. Apparently some people have a hard time understanding that A/C use coincides perfectly with solar power generation.
- ricardobayes 3y ago
  That region of the world has some weird laws for sure. Just today I read about someone who was fined for leaving his car windows rolled down parked on the street. Actual article (in German) https://www.bild.de/regional/muenchen/muenchen-aktuell/rosenheim-autofenster-aufgelassen-15-euro-bussgeld-84644398.bild.html https://www.bild.de/regional/muenchen/muenchen-aktuell/rosen...

Schweigi 3y ago

I worked several years designing and installing commercial hvac systems in Switzerland. Plenty of offices, banks, museums etc. have ACs. It’s definitely allowed. But you will need a permit to install a fixed system if it affect/changes the building facade. The reason why most homes don’t have one is that it’s too expensive for the 3-5 days a year you need it. Especially the new minergy houses can keep cool very well even during summer without an AC.

tomp 3y ago
> Especially the new minergy houses can keep cool very well even during summer without an AC. Your mileage might vary. I've personally lived in 2 different "minergie" apartments over the past 2 years (3 summers) and one of them (large, facing away from the sun) was mostly bearable (though I'd still prefer A/C), whereas the other (smaller, facing midday sun) was really hot.

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]