Europe is finally jumping on the AC bandwagon

For decades, much of Europe treated air conditioning like ranch dressing: an American obsession that never really caught on. But after back-to-back summers of record-breaking heat, that mindset is slowly starting to melt.

AC sales heat up across the pond

Only around 1 in 5 European households has air conditioning, compared to roughly 9 in 10 US homes, according to the International Energy Agency.

But that gap may not last much longer:

• Samsung reports its European AC sales posted double-digit year-over-year growth in the first half of 2026
• Meanwhile, appliance maker Midea reported shipments to Spain and France jumped 108% from last year. One of its most popular portable units even sold out after an early heat wave sparked a buying frenzy.

Overall, the number of household AC units across the EU has grown from fewer than 7 million units in 1990 to ~57 million units in 2020, with projections topping 100 million by 2030.

Zoom out: The surge comes as Europe is grappling with hotter-than-usual weather. Researchers estimate a late-June heat wave caused 2,700 heat-related deaths in England and Wales alone, with the hot weather flaring back up in recent weeks.

Looking ahead…Fire crews are currently battling massive blazes in France, Spain, and elsewhere across Europe, fueled by extreme heat and high winds.