Europe’s heat waves reveal why air conditioning isn’t widely used

Europe is enduring a major heat wave as a high‑pressure heat dome pushes temperatures well above seasonal norms, yet air conditioning remains rare there (about 20% of homes) compared with the United States. Experts point to a historical lack of need, higher energy costs, and older, energy‑efficient but non‑AC buildings, plus planning hurdles in some areas. As demand grows, Europe’s AC stock is expected to rise (IEA projects 275 million units by 2050), but cooling that relies on fossil fuels risks locking in emissions, so the continent faces policy and design choices to improve energy efficiency and resilience while pursuing climate targets for 2050.