Why Isn't Air Conditioning Common In Europe?

From England to Spain to Greece, much of Europe has experienced sweltering temperatures this summer, as heat waves across the continent become "longer, hotter, and more frequent," says the European Commission's Directorate-General for Climate Action. In fact, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, Western Europe just experienced its hottest June on record. For residents, getting through the scorching days and sweaty nights is even harder due to the lack of air conditioning in many parts of Europe.

So, why is AC less common in Europe than in the U.S.? There are a few reasons, but for starters, it hasn't always been necessary. After all, certain areas in Europe — including the U.K. and Scandinavia — have typically enjoyed milder summers than many other parts of the world. "In Europe ... we simply don't have the tradition of air conditioning ... because up to relatively recently, it hasn't been a major need," Brian Motherway, head of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Inclusive Transitions at the International Energy Agency, told CNN. But now, even some historically "cool" places are seeing all-time-high temperatures, prompting residents to find new ways to keep their homes protected in extreme heat.

For context, just over 93% of U.S. homes have air conditioning, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, about 20% of European households have AC, per the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Aside from the traditionally cooler weather in much of Europe, the cost of electricity comes into play as well. While there are dozens of countries that make up the continent (with varying energy costs), the average electricity prices across Europe are two to four times higher than those in the U.S., according to the Institute for Energy Research. And while annual salaries vary greatly as well, they're often lower than U.S. wages. With those factors in mind, it's easier to understand why AC isn't as widespread in Europe as it is stateside.

There's another factor at play, too: Throughout Europe, there are rules in place to preserve historic buildings, as the BBC points out. Because of this, many locals haven't been able to install AC units that require drilling. But now, more Europeans are finding alternatives — like portable air conditioners — to get relief from the extreme heat. However, even though they can provide much-needed cooling, there are downsides to portable AC units as well (as many Americans already know). Not only are they noisy and unattractive, but they aren't exactly energy-efficient, either. Still, as heat waves become increasingly common, more Europeans are investing in them to stay comfortable.