SuperBacon Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 We don't have a Doomed Anecdotal thread* anymore, but this has bugged me for years and rewatching Seinfeld has just made me remember it again, and I can't be arsed to Google it. How does air conditioning work in the States? Does the unit just sit wedged between the window and the sill? Is that it? Is that not really fucking dangerous? Or is it installed in a safer way? As well, do they really need air conditioning? Surely it's not that warm in New York. Also, fire hydrants. Why don't we have them in this country? *Well aware this is the worst thread ever, and no one will reply, but I need to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Surf Digby Posted November 1, 2020 Paid Members Share Posted November 1, 2020 We have valves below ground that fire fighters can connect hoses to. Considering how often cars crash into American fire hydrants (assuming movies are accurate representations of reality), this is 1-0 to the Brits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Lenin Posted November 1, 2020 Paid Members Share Posted November 1, 2020 Most places in the state's I've been has it like a traditional central heating system, where the pipes and vents are integrated into the walls etc. so there's no visible units on the windows. I think the reason for it in NY and the East coast in general is the humidity. It's unbearable for a good part of the year. That's only my opinion I'm sure some of our US friends can shed some light on the specifics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperBacon Posted November 1, 2020 Author Share Posted November 1, 2020 4 minutes ago, johnnyboy said: Only if you want it to drop on someone below. Normally there's some bracketure (is that a word?) supporting the weight of the unit on ones I've seen up close. I imagine summer in New York City is hateful. So the windows are permanently open? Doesn't that negate the effect of the air Conditioner? Honestly, this has baffled me for years. Maybe I've just seen too many films and TV shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordsfromlee Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 6 minutes ago, SuperBacon said: So the windows are permanently open? Doesn't that negate the effect of the air Conditioner? Honestly, this has baffled me for years. Maybe I've just seen too many films and TV shows. They can be, but the sides get blocked off.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Chris B Posted November 1, 2020 Paid Members Share Posted November 1, 2020 18 minutes ago, SuperBacon said: As well, do they really need air conditioning? Surely it's not that warm in New York. I was in New York during a September heatwave in 2015, and it was a life-saver. Almost every day I was there was hotter than the hottest day in London during our recent heatwaves. We were taking bottles of ice water out with us when going for walks. It also gets quite humid, which doesn't help. While it was a heatwave, their summers are generally more intense than ours. Definitely useful at night - we'd have struggled without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperBacon Posted November 1, 2020 Author Share Posted November 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, Chris B said: I was in New York during a September heatwave in 2015, and it was a life-saver. Almost every day I was there was hotter than the hottest day in London during our recent heatwaves. We were taking bottles of ice water out with us when going for walks. It also gets quite humid, which doesn't help. While it was a heatwave, their summers are generally more intense than ours. Definitely useful at night - we'd have struggled without. I imagine every heatwave they have to be like the one in Do The Right Thing, without the rioting. Or possibly with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Tommy! Posted November 1, 2020 Paid Members Share Posted November 1, 2020 36 minutes ago, Nostalgia Nonce said: We have valves below ground that fire fighters can connect hoses to. Considering how often cars crash into American fire hydrants (assuming movies are accurate representations of reality), this is 1-0 to the Brits. But it does normally allow black children to dance around under it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators neil Posted November 1, 2020 Moderators Share Posted November 1, 2020 The window AC units are a fucking delight. Honestly one of the best things about the country, no more sweltering in the UK humidity with a poxy fan blowing hot air around. You are supposed to install a device to keep them in the window, but many people don't and yes they do fall out and kill people. I myself once drunkenly came home and opened the window that had an AC unit in it, dropped all the way to the street from about 15 feet, was lucky I didn't kill anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperBacon Posted November 1, 2020 Author Share Posted November 1, 2020 57 minutes ago, neil said: myself once drunkenly came home and opened the window that had an AC unit in it, dropped all the way to the street from about 15 feet, was lucky I didn't kill anyone. The CJ defence... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slapnut Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 (edited) 6 hours ago, SuperBacon said: As well, do they really need air conditioning? Surely it's not that warm in New York. I spent 4 months in Brooklyn during the summer of 2012 and the first month without air conditioning was the most unbearably uncomfortable I’ve ever been. I probably slept about 3 hours a night, and ended up filling a bath with cold water on a number of occasions just so I could nod off. The $50 extra a month in rent was well worth it to have one of the window units fitted. Edited November 2, 2020 by Slapnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonworden Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 I'm guessing those window ones are a cheaper option to having pipes and external unit put in. I'd wager with building regulations etc that a lot of old New York apartment blocks can't even have a modern AC installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poetofthedeed Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 I was in new york 2 July's ago and it was the worst experience of my life because of those poxy air conditioning units........ I spent a week alternating between not being able to sleep because of the heat and not being able to sleep because of the noise of the air conditioning unit...... Fucking horrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators neil Posted November 2, 2020 Moderators Share Posted November 2, 2020 If you're someone who can only sleep with complete silence then going to NYC was a big mistake in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Tommy! Posted November 2, 2020 Paid Members Share Posted November 2, 2020 Go to New York, I guarantee you'll either be mugged or not appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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