As the summer breezes fade, sweltering Europeans give air conditioning a skeptical embrace

Air conditioning external units can be seen on the facade of a building in Rome, Italy. The rising global temperatures are transforming air conditioning from a luxury to a necessity in many parts of Europe. This is a significant shift for Europe, which has historically had a conflicted relationship with energy-consuming cooling systems that are often considered to be an American indulgence.

Last month, during Europe’s heat wave, Floriana Peroni’s vintage clothing store had to close for a week due to a blackout caused by the intense use of air conditioning in the central Roman neighborhood. This peak electricity usage reached a load of over 59 gigawatts, nearing the all-time high in July 2015. The increased demand for electricity also caused outages in other parts of Rome.

Despite the widespread use of air conditioning during heat waves, many Europeans, like Peroni, still do not have AC in their homes or businesses. In the past, Rome relied on a Mediterranean breeze to bring down nighttime temperatures, but this relief has become intermittent at best. Instead, people in Europe are starting to rely more on fans but find that it is not enough to combat the rising temperatures.

The International Energy Agency reports that AC penetration in Europe has increased from 10% in 2000 to 19% in 2022. However, this is still far behind the United States, where AC usage is around 90%. Europeans have been resistant to adopting air conditioning due to the cost, concerns about the environmental impact, and even fears of adverse health effects from cold air currents.

Yet, even countries with temperate climates may face discomfort if temperatures continue to rise. A study by the University of Cambridge suggests that northern European countries like Britain, Norway, Finland, and Switzerland will experience the greatest relative increase in uncomfortably hot days if temperatures rise beyond 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius.

In light of the potential energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with air conditioning, there is a growing call for alternative solutions. Cities should consider implementing measures such as shading buildings and incorporating cooling bodies of water. There is also a trend towards developing cooling technologies for individuals, such as personal devices that dissipate body heat more efficiently.

Despite the resistance in some European countries, the demand for air conditioning is steadily increasing. In Italy, sales of AC units have grown significantly, with a focus on business use rather than residential use. France has also seen an increase in sales following a devastating heat wave in 2003, but AC usage remains relatively low in private homes and businesses.

In Spain, however, air conditioning is rapidly becoming a common feature in households. A study by Ca’ Foscari University predicts that half of Spanish households will have AC by 2040. This shift towards air conditioning has led to disputes among neighbors over the noise generated by external units.

Overall, air conditioning is becoming a necessity in Europe as rising temperatures make it increasingly difficult to tolerate the heat without proper cooling systems. However, there is a need for more sustainable and energy-efficient solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of widespread AC usage.

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