For decades, air conditioning in Europe was viewed as a cultural anomaly a symbol of excess, environmental disregard, or simply an American import that didn’t fit the continent’s temperate climate and architectural traditions. In the UK, the idea of installing AC in homes was often met with raised eyebrows, dismissed as unnecessary or even unhealthy. Across much of Europe, cooling was achieved through clever design, seasonal habits, and a stoic acceptance of summer discomfort.
But the climate has changed and so has the conversation.
In the last three years, Europe has faced a series of punishing heat waves that shattered records, strained infrastructure, and claimed thousands of lives. These events have forced a reckoning: air conditioning is no longer a luxury, but a tool of climate adaptation. As temperatures rise and summers grow longer and more intense, the demand for cooling is surging not just in southern Europe, but in traditionally cooler regions like the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands.
This article explores how attitudes toward air conditioning have evolved across Europe, the impact of recent climate events, the growing demand for cooling technologies, the key players in the market, and the economic forces including tariffs and trade policy shaping this transformation.
Historical Attitudes Toward Air Conditioning in the UK and Europe
Cultural and Climatic Context
- Temperate Climate Legacy: Much of Europe, especially northern and western regions like the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, historically experienced mild summers. This made air conditioning seem unnecessary for decades.
- Architectural Design: European buildings often feature thick stone walls, small windows, and high ceilings all designed to regulate indoor temperatures naturally. Southern Europe uses shutters and tiled floors to mitigate heat.
- Lifestyle Adaptations: Europeans traditionally adapted to heat through behavioral changes siestas in Spain, evening socializing, and seasonal migration to cooler regions. AC was seen as an American excess.
Environmental and Social Resistance
- Energy Consciousness: Europe has long prioritized energy efficiency and sustainability. Air conditioning, with its high electricity consumption and reliance on refrigerants, conflicted with these values.
- Health Concerns: Some Europeans viewed AC as unhealthy causing dry air, respiratory issues, or spreading germs. This perception slowed adoption in homes and schools.
- Public Infrastructure Focus: Instead of cooling individual homes, many cities invested in green spaces, fountains, and shaded walkways to cool urban environments collectively.
The Last Three Years: A Paradigm Shift
Extreme Heat Events
- Record-Breaking Temperatures: Since 2022, Europe has faced multiple heat waves exceeding 40°C. London hit 40.3°C in July 2022 the highest ever recorded. Paris, Rome, and Berlin have seen similar spikes.
- Heat-Related Mortality: The European Environment Agency estimates over 15,000 excess deaths across Europe due to heat in 2022 alone. Vulnerable populations elderly, children, and outdoor workers were disproportionately affected.
- Infrastructure Failures: Railways buckled, power grids strained, and hospitals overflowed. Schools closed early, and major tourist sites like the Acropolis in Athens shut down midday due to heat stress.
Public and Political Response
- Media Coverage: Heat waves dominated headlines, shifting public discourse from “AC is wasteful” to “AC is essential.” Editorials and op-eds began advocating for cooling as a human right.
- Government Action: Countries like Spain and France introduced subsidies for heat pumps and energy-efficient cooling systems. The UK began reviewing building codes to encourage passive cooling and AC installation.
- Behavioral Change: Sales of portable AC units and fans surged. Homeowners began retrofitting older buildings with split systems. Offices and schools faced pressure to upgrade cooling infrastructure.
Climate Change and Rising Demand
Cooling Degree Days (CDD)
- What Are CDDs?: A metric used to estimate energy demand for cooling. As average temperatures rise, the number of CDDs increases especially in cities like Milan, Madrid, and Vienna.
- Trend Acceleration: Between 1990 and 2020, CDDs in Europe rose by over 30%. Projections suggest a doubling by 2050, making cooling a necessity rather than a luxury.
Residential and Commercial Uptake
- Homeowners: Demand for residential AC is growing fastest in southern and central Europe. In Italy, over 50% of homes now have some form of AC. In the UK, installations rose by 70% between 2020 and 2024.
- Commercial Sector: Offices, hotels, and retail spaces are upgrading to centralized HVAC systems. Green building certifications now include cooling efficiency as a key metric.
- Heat Pumps as a Bridge: Hybrid systems that provide both heating and cooling like air-source heat pumps are gaining traction due to their energy efficiency and eligibility for subsidies.
Challenges and Constraints
- Electricity Grid Stress: Increased AC usage strains national grids, especially during peak hours. Countries are investing in smart grid technologies and demand-response systems.
- Affordability: High energy prices exacerbated by geopolitical tensions make AC expensive to operate. This raises equity concerns for low-income households.
- Climate Paradox: AC helps people survive heat but contributes to global warming if powered by fossil fuels. The EU is pushing for decarbonized electricity to resolve this tension.
Key Players in the European AC Market
The European air conditioning market is shaped by a mix of global giants and regional innovators, each contributing to the continent’s evolving cooling landscape.
Daikin Europe N.V., headquartered in Belgium and part of Japan’s Daikin Industries, is a dominant force. Known for its energy-efficient HVAC systems and advanced inverter technology, Daikin has manufacturing facilities across Europe, including in Germany and the Czech Republic.
Mitsubishi Electric Europe, based in Germany, is another major player. It offers quiet, high-performance systems and invests heavily in R&D for smart climate control technologies. Its products are popular in both residential and commercial sectors.
Carrier Europe, with its base in France, is the European arm of the U.S.-based Carrier Corporation a pioneer in modern air conditioning. Carrier focuses on sustainable HVAC solutions for large buildings, transport systems, and industrial applications.
Germany is home to several influential companies. Bosch Thermotechnology specializes in integrated heating and cooling systems, emphasizing smart home compatibility and low-emission technologies. Vaillant Group is well-known for its eco-friendly heat pumps and hybrid systems, particularly in northern Europe. Viessmann Group, another German powerhouse, has recently merged parts of its climate division with Carrier and focuses on climate-neutral solutions and digital building management.
Other notable contributors include Johnson Controls-Hitachi, headquartered in Ireland, which offers hybrid systems and building integration technologies, and Toshiba HVAC, which provides compact, high-efficiency systems suited for urban apartments.
Additionally, Chinese manufacturer Gree Electric Appliances is expanding its footprint in Europe, offering competitively priced units that appeal to budget-conscious consumers. Local installers and small-to-medium enterprises across Europe also play a vital role in scaling adoption, handling installation, retrofitting, and maintenance.
Tariffs, Trade, and Economic Impact
Global Supply Chain Pressures
- Component Sourcing: Compressors, circuit boards, and refrigerants are often imported from Asia. Tariffs on Chinese goods especially in the U.S. have ripple effects in Europe due to shared suppliers.
- Raw Materials: Steel, aluminum, and copper prices surged due to tariffs and supply disruptions. These materials are essential for AC units, driving up manufacturing costs.
European Trade Policy
- EU Internal Market: Within the EU, AC units move tariff-free. However, Brexit introduced new customs checks and VAT complications for UK imports, affecting pricing and availability.
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): Starting in 2026, the EU will impose carbon tariffs on imported goods based on their emissions footprint. This could affect AC units made in countries with lax environmental standards.
Consumer Impact
- Price Increases: AC unit prices in Europe rose by 10–20% between 2021 and 2024. Installation costs also climbed due to labor shortages and regulatory compliance.
- Subsidies and Incentives: To offset costs, governments offer rebates for energy-efficient systems. France, Germany, and the Netherlands have robust programs for heat pumps and smart thermostats.
- Market Adaptation: Manufacturers are localizing production, redesigning units to meet EU eco-design standards, and investing in circular economy models (e.g., recyclable components).
Conclusion: Cooling the Continent, Sustainably
Europe’s evolving relationship with air conditioning is a microcosm of the broader climate challenge: how to adapt to a warming world without accelerating the very forces driving that change. The last three years have marked a turning point, transforming AC from a cultural outlier into a public health imperative. But this shift is not without complexity.
Governments, manufacturers, and consumers must now navigate a delicate balance expanding access to cooling while minimizing environmental impact. This means investing in energy-efficient technologies, decarbonizing electricity grids, and rethinking urban design to incorporate passive cooling strategies. It also means confronting economic disparities, ensuring that vulnerable populations aren’t left behind in the race to adapt.
The future of air conditioning in Europe will be shaped not just by rising temperatures, but by innovation, regulation, and a collective commitment to sustainability. What was once seen as a symbol of indulgence is now becoming a cornerstone of resilience and the continent’s response may well serve as a model for the rest of the world.