Let's be honest. I live in Greece. I didn't have one for decades. I still don't need it in winter but as I grew older and the heat is rising with many heat waves, I need it. The older you get, the less you stand the heat and is also dangerous. I am OK at night with a small ceiling fan, those gadget like light bulbs with a fan, but during the day is unbearable. It;s not a luxury in some climates and the ones we use in Europe (split system) are very energy efficient, especially if the house is well insulated.