In Milan, Floriana Peroni’s vintage clothing store had to close for a week during Europe’s heat wave last month. A truck of rented generators blocked her door as they provided power to the central Roman neighborhood affected by a blackout due to the surge in temperatures. The main cause of the blackout was the heavy use of air conditioning. Temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), which coincided with peak electricity use in Italy. The demand for electricity surged by 30% during that week, causing a strain on the network and resulting in power outages in various parts of Rome.
Unlike many Romans, Peroni does not have air conditioning in her shop or home. Historically, Rome relied on a Mediterranean breeze to cool down nighttime temperatures, but this has become less reliable. However, attitudes towards air conditioning are starting to change in Europe. Rising global temperatures are making air conditioning a necessity rather than a luxury in many parts of the continent. Europeans have traditionally viewed air conditioning as an American indulgence and have preferred to tolerate the heat. In contrast to the US, where buildings are often overcooled, Europeans expect to sweat in under-cooled grocery stores, non-climate-controlled movie theaters, and stuffy restaurants that rarely offer air conditioning.
However, the adoption of air conditioning has been slowly increasing in Europe. According to the International Energy Agency, AC penetration in Europe has risen from 10% in 2000 to 19% in 2021. This is still significantly lower than the United States, where AC penetration is around 90%. The growth in Europe is hindered by factors such as cost, concerns about environmental impact, and suspicions of health issues caused by cold air currents.
Even countries with temperate climates like Germany and Nordic countries may need to rely more on air conditioning in the future if temperatures continue to rise. A study by the University of Cambridge suggests that if temperatures increase beyond 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius, regions like Britain, Norway, Finland, and Switzerland will experience a significant increase in uncomfortably hot days. However, simply relying on air conditioning may not be the best solution due to high energy consumption and carbon emissions. Cities should consider alternative measures such as shading buildings, incorporating cooling bodies of water, and exploring personal cooling devices that dissipate body heat more efficiently.
In Italy, sales of air conditioning units have been growing, with a significant increase expected for business use. However, France remains resistant to widespread adoption of air conditioning, with many seeing it as a frivolous American import or environmentally irresponsible. Spain, on the other hand, has embraced air conditioning, and it is projected that half of Spanish households will have AC by 2040. However, the increase in AC systems has led to disputes over noise and limited placement options for external units.
While air conditioning is found to be beneficial for older populations during extreme heat, it is not always affordable for elderly people on fixed incomes. Many restrict their usage to the hottest times of the day or confine themselves to a single room. There is a concern that refraining from using air conditioners could potentially lead to heat stroke.
Overall, attitudes towards air conditioning in Europe are shifting due to rising temperatures, but there are still barriers to widespread adoption. Energy consumption, environmental impact, and health concerns are factors that need to be considered when addressing the increasing need for cooling systems in the face of global warming.