Heatwaves reshape Austrian real estate search, prioritizing comfort and health

Austria's increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves are reshaping the priorities of individuals searching for housing. Beyond traditional factors like location, size, and cost, prospective tenants are now placing a significant emphasis on a property's ability to maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor climate during extreme summer temperatures.

Martina Hirsch, managing director of s REAL Immobilien, notes a growing demand for information regarding a property's thermal comfort. "The question of 'how pleasant and also how healthy is living in the property on hot summer days' is being asked more and more often," she stated. Factors such as the building's orientation, the presence of green outdoor spaces, and effective shading are becoming crucial considerations during property viewings.

While air conditioning and cooling systems are gaining traction, there's a growing awareness that preventing heat from entering the building in the first place is paramount. External shading solutions, such as blinds, are highlighted as essential for reducing heat gain at the building's exterior. The ARGE Eigenheim emphasizes a hierarchy of solutions: first, improving the building's thermal envelope to keep heat out, then implementing efficient technical cooling systems, and finally, using individual air conditioning units only where absolutely necessary.

This shift in focus also intersects with the increasing electrification of homes, including electric vehicle charging stations, heat pumps, and air conditioning units. Isabella Stickler of ARGE Eigenheim warns that the existing infrastructure may not be equipped to handle the added load, stressing the need for careful planning, installation, maintenance, and safety considerations to manage the increased demand on electrical systems.