Vienna sees 400 air conditioners installed in municipal housing

About 400 air-conditioning units have been installed in Vienna’s municipal housing after the city eased installation rules this year, ORF reported Friday. The city said many applications are still under review, while some have been rejected.

By the end of September, 387 applications had been approved and 154 turned down, according to Vienna housing councillor Elke Hanel-Torsch (SPÖ). More than 700 cases are still being processed.

Rules for installing split air-conditioning systems were relaxed at the start of summer. Previously, applicants needed special grounds, such as health or commercial regulatory reasons. Building and legal requirements still apply, including checks for potential noise disturbance.

Hanel-Torsch said Vienna’s summers were becoming noticeably hotter and periods of heat and tropical nights were an increasing burden for many people. She said the high number of approved units showed the city had taken an important and appropriate step.