Austria to Ease Rules for Air Conditioning in Homes and Schools Amid Heatwave

Austria's government has agreed to simplify the process for installing air conditioning in homes and schools amidst a severe heatwave. The new measures aim to reduce bureaucratic obstacles that currently hinder residents and property owners from implementing heat protection measures.

Key among the planned changes is the easing of approval requirements for air conditioning units. For older schools, structural retrofitting will be undertaken to improve heat resilience. These plans, which had been discussed previously, were formalized through a joint ministerial council presentation.

Currently, homeowners seeking to install air conditioning often face significant hurdles. Apartment owners typically require the unanimous consent of all other owners, with legal recourse only possible in exceptional cases demonstrating a special interest. Tenants must also prove a special interest and that the measure is customary for everyday use to prevent landlords from refusing consent.

The government intends to counteract these bureaucratic barriers through legislative changes, with a draft expected in the autumn. For educational institutions, measures will be tailored to regional heat warnings issued by GeoSphere Austria. The Education Ministry plans to focus on retrofitting older buildings with features like shading, window replacements, heat-protective films, and greening schoolyards. Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler emphasized the health risks posed by increasing heat days, stating that ensuring cooling in summer should be as standard as ensuring warmth in winter.

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Just as it is a matter of course that apartments are warm in winter, we must ensure that cooling is possible in summer.