Millions of people in Europe face record high temperatures as intense heatwaves become a more common occurrence on the continent.
The lack of modern refrigeration systems is a reality for most European homes, where the population seeks alternatives such as fans, cold compresses and ice-cold baths to mitigate extreme heat.
The approach to dealing with the heat differs significantly between Europe and the United States, a traditionally hotter country. Data reveals that around 90% of American homes have air conditioning, compared to just 20% of European homes.
As heat waves intensify and lengthen due to climate change, a question emerges: why are prosperous European nations showing resistance to installing air conditioning, even in the face of an increase in fatalities associated with high temperatures?
Historically, much of Europe, particularly northern regions, did not require large-scale refrigeration systems, which partly explains the current shortage.
Although extreme heat events have always existed, they rarely reached the intensity and duration of the prolonged temperatures that have become recurrent on the European continent today.
European history has not favored the tradition of air conditioning, since, until recent times, the need for such a system was not considered relevant, according to Brian Motherway, head of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Inclusive Transitions at the International Energy Agency (IEA).
For this reason, air conditioning has always been perceived as a luxury item, and not a priority, mainly due to the high installation and operating costs. Energy expenditure is often higher in Europe than in the United States, while average income is lower.
Maintaining a functioning refrigeration system remains inaccessible for a considerable portion of the European population.
The architecture of buildings also contributes to this reality.
In warmer nations in the south of the continent, some buildings were built with specific features to combat the heat, such as thick walls, small windows to avoid direct sunlight and a design that optimizes air circulation, reducing the perception of the need for artificial refrigeration.
However, in other regions of Europe, housing has not been designed with a focus on managing high temperatures.
According to Motherway, European culture has not developed the habit of planning strategies to stay cool in the summer, which is a concern that has emerged relatively recently.
Many European buildings are old, built before air conditioning technology became popular. In England, for example, which recorded the hottest June on record, a sixth of homes date back to before 1900.
Retrofitting central cooling systems in older homes can be more complex, but not unfeasible, as noted by Brian Motherway.
Bureaucracy, on certain occasions, represents an even greater obstacle, according to Richard Salmon, director of The Air Conditioning Company, a company based in the United Kingdom.
Salmon reports that British authorities frequently deny permits for installing air conditioning, citing concerns about the visual aesthetics of outdoor units, particularly in conservation zones or historic buildings.
A political factor also comes into play. Europe is targeting carbon neutrality by 2050, and significant growth in the use of air conditioning would complicate meeting these climate goals.
In addition to high energy consumption, these equipment also release heat to the external environment.
Research carried out in Paris indicated that the use of air conditioning can increase the external temperature by approximately 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. This effect is particularly worrying in European cities, which have a higher population and construction density.
Certain nations have already implemented restrictions on the use of cooling systems. In 2022, Spain, for example, established that air conditioning in public spaces should not be adjusted to temperatures below 27 degrees Celsius, aiming to save energy.
However, the perception and concerns surrounding air conditioning in Europe are changing, given that the continent is establishing itself as a climate “hot zone”, with a warming rate twice that of the rest of the planet.
The continent finds itself facing a complex dilemma: opt for the widespread adoption of air conditioning, with its high energy consumption and adverse climate impacts, or develop alternative methods to face a future of increasingly high temperatures.
The director of the UK Green Building Council, Yetunde Abdul, highlighted the importance of homes being able to withstand not only the cold, but also increasing heat waves.
Clear signs point to an increase in the adoption of refrigeration systems in Europe, mirroring a global trend. A study by the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that the number of devices in the European Union will reach 275 million by 2050, exceeding double the 2019 total.
Richard Salmon, from The Air Conditioning Company, confirmed dizzying growth in demand for air conditioning, with residential inquiries more than tripling in the last five years. He notes that the recent heatwave has intensified demand as people struggle to function due to high temperatures during the early hours of the morning.
Experts, however, warn that, although air conditioning offers immediate relief from extreme temperatures, its high energy consumption, predominantly from fossil fuels, worsens global warming.
The use of air conditioning powered by fossil fuels intensifies the pollution that contributes to global warming, which in turn raises temperatures even further. This scenario creates a “vicious cycle that worsens climate change”, according to Radhika Khosla, associate professor at the Smith School of Business and the Environment at the University of Oxford.
Perceptions regarding air conditioning in Europe are set to change as extreme heat and its health impacts increase, the IEA’s Motherway predicted.
The main challenge will be to implement robust regulations that guarantee the efficiency of refrigeration systems in order to minimize their considerable climate impact.
Motherway highlighted the importance of correct implementation from the start, as every air conditioning unit sold today influences energy consumption and emissions for a period of ten to twenty years.