Essential Item as Abnormal Heat Continues
Italy's Annual Sales More Than Double
Spain's Adoption Rate Expected to Reach 50% from 5%
As heatwaves exceeding 40 degrees continue, air conditioner sales are increasing in Europe, where air conditioner penetration rates have been low.
Until now, Europe regarded air conditioners as major culprits of environmental destruction and luxury items. However, as abnormal high-temperature phenomena have persisted for several years, many regions in Europe are purchasing air conditioners as essential items.
According to AP News and other major foreign media on the 2nd (local time), Italy's annual air conditioner sales, which were 865,000 units in 2012, soared to 1.92 million units last year, more than doubling. The penetration rate of air conditioners in Spanish households, which was only 5% in 1990, is expected to increase to 50% by 2040.
On the 18th (local time), when a heatwave warning was issued for 20 cities in Italy, a citizen dipped their head into the fountain at Piazza del Popolo in the capital, Rome. On this day, Rome's highest temperature was recorded at 41.8 degrees Celsius, the highest since observations began. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Earlier, Europe has been suffering from record-breaking heatwaves this year as well. Rome, Italy, recorded a maximum temperature of 41.8 degrees on the 18th of last month, and some areas of the southern island of Sicily experienced a record high temperature of 47.6 degrees. Spain also has many days exceeding 40 degrees.
France also frequently records temperatures above 40 degrees. In the south, the mercury rose above 40 degrees this year, and Paris reached a high of 43 degrees last July. However, most houses and apartments in France did not have air conditioners installed, but 1 million air conditioners were sold last year.
El Corte Ingl?s, one of Spain's largest department store chains, also saw a surge in air conditioner sales in June. Sales in July increased by 15% compared to the same period last year. Traditionally, Spain coped with the heat by operating rest systems like siesta during the hottest hours, but now it has become a situation where they have no choice but to rely on air conditioners.
Major foreign media also mentioned the recent one-week air conditioner sales of Unieuro, an electronics retailer with about 450 stores across Italy, reporting that sales doubled compared to the same period last year.
A research team from Ca' Foscari University in Italy predicted that the penetration rate of air conditioners in Spanish households, which was 5% in 1990, will reach 50% by 2040.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) also reported that the penetration rate of air conditioners in Europe increased from 10% in 2000 to 19% last year and is expected to rise further this year. Although it is difficult to compare with the United States, where the penetration rate is 91%, this is a clear upward trend for Europe.
The media explained, "In Europe, where air conditioner penetration is lower than in the United States, citizens used to overcome the heat by resting during the hottest hours," adding, "but this traditional method no longer works this year."
However, in Europe, many still view air conditioners as imported from the United States and have resistance or concerns about environmental damage due to increased greenhouse gases.
The media reported, "Negative perceptions of air conditioners among Europeans remain due to high electricity costs, the harmful environmental impact of refrigerant gases, and air conditioning sickness."
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