Europe’s Relationship with Air Conditioning: Culture, Policy, and Climate Goals

Air conditioner

BELGIUM: Europe’s adoption of air conditioning remains limited—only about 20% of households use it compared to nearly 90% in the US—driven less by regulation and more by culture, cost, and tradition. Historically, southern Europe relied on architectural adaptations like thick walls and shaded streets, while northern Europe’s mild summers made cooling unnecessary. Air conditioning has long been perceived as a luxury or even a health risk, and high electricity prices—sharply exposed during the 2022 energy crisis—continue to deter households. Even today, AC accounts for just 0.6% of EU household electricity use, though demand is rising quickly, with recent heatwaves pushing daily consumption up by 14% and prices above €400/MWh (US$463.7/MWh) in Germany and €470/MWh (US$544.9/MWh) in Poland.

Contrary to criticism, Brussels has not banned cooling technologies but regulates them through measures like the F-gas Regulation, phasing out HFC refrigerants by 2050, and the Ecodesign Directive, which eliminates inefficient models. These align with the EU’s climate-neutrality goal for 2050, aiming to expand cooling sustainably without undermining energy security. Member states also impose their own restrictions, such as limiting indoor temperatures in public buildings or restricting external units in historic centres. As climate change drives hotter, longer summers, Europe’s balancing act—between cultural habits, affordability, energy resilience, and environmental commitments—will increasingly determine how quickly air conditioning becomes a necessity rather than a luxury.

Source: EURO NEWS