Poles are increasingly reaching for air conditioning as heat waves grow more severe, but the comfort comes with a tangible price. A journalist from Business Insider who installed an AC unit in his own flat has calculated exactly what eight hours of cooling costs him each day.
The apartment sits on the top floor of the building, directly under the roof, and the sloping windows make the heat problem even worse. That is why the device often works for around eight hours a day during the hottest weather, and this routine translates into a daily cost of 8.24 PLN.
If the air conditioner runs in the same way for 20 days in a month, the bill for cooling alone reaches roughly 274.20 PLN. This estimate assumes steady, daily operation of the device, without taking into account possible extra running time during particularly long heat spells.
Counting the real cost of cooling
The monthly figure does not cover maintenance. Each year the unit needs an inspection and servicing, and depending on the scope of work this can cost from 200 to 500 PLN.
Recurring heat waves across Europe have also sparked a political debate about wider access to air conditioning, especially in places particularly vulnerable to high temperatures. In France, Eric Ciotti, leader of the Union of the Right party supporting the far-right National Rally, proposed a legal requirement to install air conditioning in schools, medical facilities and senior care homes.
Marine Le Pen has announced that if she wins the presidential election, she will introduce a broad programme for the development of air conditioning, arguing that the issue should be treated as a matter of public health.
EU rules make AC units dual-purpose
Since 2010, all air conditioners sold in the European Union must have a heating function. In practice, this means the devices can also work as air-source heat pumps, providing heat in cooler months.
The example described by the Business Insider journalist shows how quickly the costs add up for a single household. The size of the monthly bill depends on how many hours the unit runs, but the daily rate of 8.24 PLN gives a clear benchmark for anyone considering installing air conditioning before the next heat wave arrives.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/Palakorn Jaiman
