6 Facts About Europe and Air Conditioning
Only about 20% of European households have air conditioning, compared to over 90% in the US. Climate change is boosting demand, but high costs and inadequate building infrastructure limit adoption across the continent.
Background
- Air conditioning is far less common in Europe than in the US, Japan, or much of the Middle East. For decades, the consensus was that Europeans simply didn't need it: the climate was cooler, and dense, thick-walled masonry buildings were designed to keep heat out.