Europe wilts under record heat as AC sales soar

Europe is grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, shattering records across numerous countries and driving a surge in air conditioner sales. The continent, unaccustomed to such searing temperatures, is finding itself ill-equipped to handle the extreme weather.

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We're suffocating in the streets, we're suffocating in the subway and we're even suffocating in our rental.

Experts attribute the intense heat to atmospheric circulation patterns trapping hot air for extended periods, a phenomenon exacerbated by global warming. France's national temperature indicator recorded its hottest day since measurements began in 1947. In response, sales of fans and air conditioners have skyrocketed, with one major retailer reporting sales thousands of times higher than on a normal day.

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a thousand times more than on a normal day

Many buildings across Europe are not designed for extreme heat, leading to difficult living conditions. "It's difficult to live alone and without air conditioning," said Martine Belloc, a retiree in Bordeaux. Some public spaces, like coworking sites, have opened their doors to offer respite to the elderly.

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In theory, you have to submit a request to the owners’ association general meeting but people don't want to wait.

With millions of people affected by the highest heat alert categories, temperatures are expected to reach extreme levels across France. The heatwave is also forecast to spread into Eastern Europe, prompting high-level warnings in countries like Poland and Croatia. Italy has already declared a red heatwave alert in 16 cities, including Milan and Rome.

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It's difficult to live alone and without air conditioning