Maltoo

ditto!

Englishmum

Well over here in Switzerland there aren't any screens either (although some of the expats on our condo from Minnesota have some kind of curtain at their windows which is to repel flies. I don't know where they got them from but it's definitely not the norm here. We are located between a farm (lots of cows...they attract flies) and a large lake, but fortunately no mozzies. We don't get that many flies coming in - they tend to fly outside again but I have a can of fly spray just in case - but we are getting spiders on the balcony though....

My friends in Grenoble, France don't have insect screens. I don't think any properties in Europe typically have insect screens at the windows - over the years we've had holidays in various parts of Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland and the UK and I honestly can't ever recall seeing insect screens. Air-con is only usually to be found in some (not all) shops, hospitals/clinics and hotels and not in people's homes. In Switzerland most offices don't have air-con - they're not allowed to unless it is to prevent sensitive electronic equipment from overheating. Otherwise fans are used to keep cool. I think it's for environmental reasons - it can't be limited just for cost reasons as many Swiss are very wealthy indeed.

However.....in southern Europe they do still tend to have an afternoon 'siesta'/rest period in the hottest part of the day and keep the rooms cooler by closing their blinds or shutters. Don't forget that electricity can be very high (especially if air-con is operating) and I guess in some parts of Europe the supply can be patchy or high demand would cause a strain on supply. At our house in New Jersey there are frequent 'brown-outs' on hot days as the electricity company can't cope with the high demand with everyone's air-cons running and the power can go out for *hours*.

At all the places we lived in in Singapore, not one of them had insect screens, no-one I knew had them - even at the lovely colonial black & white houses (although they did get snakes! ). Despite the equatorial climate we rarely got flying insects coming through the windows, although sometimes we got the odd flying cockroach which used to freak me out lol!

It's a pretty hot 33c right now - I went to the municipal pool this morning but now I'm off across the street to read my book and have another swim in the lake which currently has a temp of 22c/74f

Aha! I've just been looking on the Amazon UK site and you can get (temp) insect mesh screens:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...ns+for+windows

mikelincs

It's not hot enough for long enough to need air-con, however we do have a fan, cools down at night but has still been quite warm, so we sleep with the windows in the living room open, and the doors between the living room and bedroom open as well. Apparently trying to buy a room fan this last 10 days has been difficult as most shops seem to have sold out.

Jam Jun

Generally air conditioning is a must for homes specially in areas where it is warm most of the time. There are also states which have more months of warm weather than the cold and many of the residential building have at least one equipment of such type.

Pulaski

Profound!

mikelincs

Yes, but we're not talking about the states, but the UK.

robin1234

Who da thunk it

jocksternhcle

Relax Jam Jun - that's just their way of saying welcome little one...we love you

TheEmperorIsNaked

Glad you said that Jock. It might not have met with the approval of some, but it was a first post engendering a sarcastic response.

Surely we like lurkers (or possible lurkers?) to post? Nice welcome eh?
I hope it wasn't the first and last post.

Jam Jun: as you can see it takes all sorts to make up a discussion forum. Don't let two tarrogant wats put you off.

mikelincs

A poster joining a forum will usually follow the suggestions of posting in the 'Welcome Inn' first, or at least give people some idea of where he/she is etc by their profile. They will usually read the posts and reply in a manner helpful to the thread, not jump in with both feet with a comment that is off topic for the threaad. The OP was asking about air con in the UK, I presume they are not interested in the fact that in some US states it is essential.

brissybee

A couple of relatively little things I'm looking forward to back in the UK are that you don't have to have an air-conditioner and you can open the windows and there are no screens.

I hate the sound of air conditioners and I always feel shut in behind screens.

(Would probably buy a fan though if it's pushing 33 degrees.)

TheEmperorIsNaked

'A poster' within forum rules can do as they damn well please!

I have checked the forum rules and made a private enquiry on this general principle. Frankly I care little what YOU think a poster should do!

Hells bells! the unnecessary comments came from you and Pulaski! Fwiw (and it isn't worth a lot), this elitism goes on on most forums, but it has no basis in fact. There are no ranking systems on any discussion forums when it comes to the tenet of the post.

You'd think this first timer came in here and kicked the sheet out of other posters; they did not. Stop justifying a/your post that was totally uncalled for!

TheEmperorIsNaked

I have aircon here (Aus), and it's a real lifesaver at times, but by far a desk fan up close and personal in lounge/bedroom/kitchen is the real bonus!

Buckyball

You should add "is a must for Americans". We almost never have our AC on because I hate it. Once in while before we go to bed when it is really hot.

Not to forget, back in Europe we have solid built houses

Pulaski

Indeed we can, and Robin, Mike, and did just that, and without getting apoplectic about it.

Now calm down before you rupture something and get your toys back in the pram!