Air conditioners actually tend to make europeans sick. Colds and stuff...
We are just not used to it as much as the US is. Air conditioners are not big in europe thus they are more expensive than in the US.
Most european places, even new ones, do not have central air, and to be honest, I am very happy about it, I HATE central air.
It just does not get so extrememly hot here often, and if the house is built well, and not made out of wood ;) ... there is going to be good insulation. My place is relatively cool even with all windows closed, you just need to know how to make sure it stays like this.
Also, there are places in europe which have 500 year old houses that stay 20 degrees Celsius all year long without ANY kind of heating or cooling going on, and it gets below 20 in the winter (not a lot, but still) and above 35 in the summer.
I prefer it the way it is in europe honestly.
A/C is nice in a car though ...
Fabian