As Europe faces increasingly severe heat waves, the rarity of air conditioning in homes has become a pressing issue. Unlike the United States, where nearly 90% of homes have air conditioning, Europe’s adoption rate is significantly lower, with only around 20% of homes equipped with cooling systems.

Historical Context

Many European countries have historically had little need for air conditioning due to their cooler climates. However, as climate change drives more frequent and prolonged heat waves, the need for air conditioning is becoming more apparent.

According to Brian Motherway, head of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Inclusive Transitions at the International Energy Agency, the lack of air conditioning in Europe is largely due to the fact that it has not been a major need in the past. As a result, air conditioning has traditionally been seen as a luxury rather than a necessity.

Energy Costs and Architecture

High energy costs in many European countries have also contributed to the limited adoption of air conditioning. The cost of powering an air conditioning unit can be prohibitively expensive, especially for low-income households. Additionally, many European buildings were designed without air conditioning in mind, making it harder to install and maintain cooling systems.

Some countries have introduced measures to limit air conditioning usage, such as Spain’s rules stipulating that air conditioning in public places should be set no lower than 27 degrees Celsius. However, as the continent becomes a climate hotspot, warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world, attitudes towards air conditioning are changing.

Increasing Demand

Despite the challenges, there are signs that air conditioning adoption is increasing in Europe. The International Energy Agency reports that the number of air conditioning units in the EU is likely to rise to 275 million by 2050, more than double the 2019 figure. As the heat waves continue to intensify, it is likely that air conditioning will become a more pressing concern for European households.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.