• Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de
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      7 days ago

      80% of the flats where I live have one above their balcony - and we are not even close to treeless.

      I was really bewildered by the idea that someone might not know what these are…

      • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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        7 days ago

        In some places where air conditioning is omnipresent they’re uncommon. There’s a technology connections video about them that touches on it

              • Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de
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                6 days ago

                Well, it would also help blocking sunshine from heating their south wall too, but before that, something must have gone horribly, horribly wrong…

                [Edit]
                Only slightly off topic here: I can recommend Larry Niven’s short story “Inconstant Moon” :-)

          • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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            7 days ago

            Balconies aren’t really a thing for most people in the American Midwest, which is where I’m from. You have porches and patios, but those are weather permitting structures and they’re mostly used when it’s a bit later so it’s not too bright.

        • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          6 days ago

          In some places where air conditioning is omnipresent they’re uncommon

          Not really… People don’t blast AC to their outdoor porch.

          AC is everywhere in the US, and we still have plenty of awnings

          • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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            5 days ago

            Both of these are regional. Growing up in Ohio awnings were rare. And in some states ac is more or less common. I know in Washington’s Puget Sound region it’s more or less only in new construction because before the past decade or so it’s been mild all year.

      • Rooskie91@discuss.online
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        6 days ago

        I mean you have trees, so they’re mostly on the balcony. I live in a large city (not many trees) of mostly row homes, and they’re on like every window of the side of the houses that face the sun. Not just patios.