German households surge air‑conditioner purchases amid heatwave

A recent survey by market‑research firm Innofact for comparison portal Verivox found that 23 % of German households now own an air‑conditioner, up from 18 % a year earlier. Roughly one‑quarter of households (24.9 %) intend to buy a unit, while 52 % say they will not purchase one. Mobile “monoblock” units dominate the market, accounting for about 69 % of installations, whereas split systems make up roughly 31 %.

Monoblock units cost as little as €200 to buy but consume €100–150 of electricity per year; split systems cost €1,000–2,000 to install but use only €40–90 annually. Energy expert Thorsten Storck warned that “the extraordinary heatwave of recent weeks has sharply increased interest in air‑conditioners, with mobile units often sold out.”

The heatwave’s wider impact includes increased bookings at climate‑controlled hotels, as reported by the German hotel association DEHOGA, and a rise in people seeking cooler spaces such as offices and churches. Advice from consumer organisations emphasizes prevention measures—external shading, proper ventilation and limiting use of heat‑emitting appliances—to keep homes comfortable without relying solely on air‑conditioning.