Heatwave Drives Surge in Air Conditioner Demand Across Europe
France: France has witnessed a sharp increase in demand for air conditioners and fans as record-breaking heatwaves continue across Europe, leading to supply shortages at retailers and increased installation requests. Carrefour reported selling 30,000 cooling devices by the evening of 23 June, while Amazon France and electronics retailer Fnac Darty also recorded significant increases in cooling equipment sales. France registered a national average temperature of 29.8°C, the highest since records began in 1947, and more than 90% of the country's population has been placed under the highest level of heatwave alert. With only around 25% of French households equipped with air conditioning, installers have reported a rise in urgent requests as households seek cooling solutions.
The heatwave has also affected several other European countries. Italy has issued its highest heatwave warnings for multiple cities, while Poland, Croatia, Hungary and the Netherlands have introduced heat alerts as temperatures continue to rise. In contrast, Spain expects temperatures to ease in most regions. The extreme weather has also disrupted public services and tourism, with Amsterdam offering free access to public swimming pools for eligible residents, the Netherlands reducing rail services on selected routes, UK schools implementing measures to manage high temperatures, and tourist attractions including the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower and Belgium's Atomium shortening their operating hours.
Source: The Asia Business Daily
