Key facts
- Europe is experiencing a surge in air conditioner sales due to record heat waves.
- Samsung reported double-digit year-on-year growth in AC sales in Europe for the first half of 2026.
- Chinese appliance giant Midea saw shipments to Spain and France jump 108% compared to last year.
- European Commission modeling projects the number of room air conditioners in the EU could exceed 100 million by 2030.
- Excess deaths in Europe were estimated to have climbed from 33,000 to over 45,000 during a recent heat wave.
Europe is increasingly adopting air conditioning units as prolonged and intense heat waves become a recurring issue across the continent. Historically, air conditioning was viewed as a luxury in many European countries, unlike in the United States where it is a common household appliance. However, recent record-breaking temperatures, including the hottest June on record for Western Europe, have led to a significant surge in AC purchases.
Manufacturers like Samsung and Midea have reported substantial year-on-year growth in sales, with some markets like Spain and France seeing over 100% increases in shipments. Popular models have sold out, and factories are operating at full capacity to meet demand. This trend is expected to continue, with projections suggesting the number of room air conditioners in the EU could double by 2030.
The shift is driven by the undeniable impact of extreme heat, which has also been linked to a rise in excess deaths across Europe. In England and Wales alone, a recent heat wave caused thousands of heat-related fatalities. This public health crisis is forcing a re-evaluation of cooling solutions, moving AC from a perceived luxury to a necessity for many.
While cultural factors and higher electricity costs have contributed to lower AC adoption rates in Europe compared to the US, the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves are making the American approach to staying cool seem more sensible. Consumers like Kieron Heath in the UK, who previously relied on fans and open windows, have found purchasing an air conditioner to be a 'complete no-brainer' for health and well-being during extreme heat.