Poland heatwave prompts cooling tricks, AC costs and health advice

Extreme temperatures above 35 °C have led many Poles to seek ways to stay cool. Legal experts note that installing external air‑conditioning units on apartment blocks requires a resolution of the owners' association, as the façade is common property. Courts have upheld this rule, confirming that individual owners cannot decide unilaterally.

Consumers are also facing higher electricity bills. Monthly operating costs for split‑type units range from 60 zł to 170 zł, while portable units can exceed 300 zł, depending on size, SEER rating and set temperature. A homeowner who installed a 3.5 kW split reports an hourly electricity cost of about 1 zł, leading to roughly 275 zł for a typical hot‑month.

For those without AC, low‑cost DIY methods are popular. Freezing a PET bottle of water and placing it before a fan can modestly lower room temperature, while a green‑tea lemonade mixed with citrus and mint offers hydration and antioxidants. Traditional Slavic drinks such as surica—fermented honey, herbs and fruit—are promoted as refreshing alternatives to lemonades.

Health professionals warn that overly cold indoor air can dry nasal passages and increase infection risk, describing it as “Sahara in the nose and throat.” Simple tricks like placing ice packs under the armpits—where large blood vessels run close to the skin—can safely lower body temperature, mirroring hospital practices for treating heat‑related illnesses.