Belgium Sees Record Air Conditioner Sales Amid Heat Waves

Belgium has recorded its highest-ever number of air conditioner installations in the first half of 2026, with 134,178 fixed units installed between January and June — more than 740 per day. The figure represents a 47% increase compared to the same period in 2025, according to data from Frixis, the Royal Belgian Association of the refrigeration and air treatment sector, as reported by RTBF.

Context: A Summer of Unprecedented Heat

The surge in air conditioning purchases comes as Belgium experiences its most intense summer heat on record. June 2026 was the hottest June ever recorded in Western Europe, with an average temperature of 20.74°C — 3.05°C above the 1991-2020 average, according to the Copernicus climate observatory, as reported by RTBF.

The June heatwave, which lasted from June 18 to July 1, caused 1,747 excess deaths in Belgium — a 47.8% excess mortality rate. A second heat wave officially began on July 28, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C, as confirmed by the Royal Meteorological Institute.

Notably, the sales data from Frixis does not yet account for either of these heat waves, suggesting the full impact on demand has yet to be measured.

Key Developments: Installers Overwhelmed

The record numbers reflect a surge in demand that has left installers struggling to keep up. Eric Maes, owner of Maes Airco in Celles, Wallonie picarde, told L’Avenir: “In 22 years, I have never had so many quotes to make.”

Anthony Fievet of Airco-Chauff in Brunehaut described an even more dramatic acceleration: “When the second heat wave started, I had two, three calls, then the next day seven, eight, and the day after fifteen, twenty, and it hasn’t decreased since. I would say demand has multiplied by eight.”

Some installers report waiting lists extending to May 2027, and suppliers are beginning to announce stock shortages.

The data shows that more than four out of five air conditioners sold are wall-mounted models, often fixed above a door. Others are embedded in floors or ceilings. The installation price of a fixed air conditioner can quickly reach several thousand euros.

Analysis: Energy Concerns and the “Cooling Ladder”

The rapid adoption of air conditioning raises significant energy concerns. A mobile AC unit costs approximately €250 in electricity for 8 hours of daily use over 90 summer days, while a fixed unit costs around €150 for the same usage pattern, according to RTBF’s analysis of energy costs.

The Belgian electricity grid has already felt the strain. Elia, the national grid operator, reduced high-voltage transport by 10-15% during the June heatwave due to line dilation from extreme temperatures. “The grid is under tension, yes, but we are ready to intervene at any moment,” said Jean Fassiaux, Elia’s spokesperson, as reported by RTBF. Electricity demand in Brussels increased by 11% during the heat wave, and wholesale prices spiked to €1,000/MWh during peak afternoon and evening hours.

Experts emphasize that active cooling should only be a last resort in what they call the “cooling ladder.” Francesco Contino, professor at UCLouvain and energy specialist, advises that “the first thing to do is to prevent the sun from coming through the windows” — through external shading and natural ventilation — before resorting to air conditioning.

There is also a thermal vicious cycle at play: air conditioners reject hot air outside, contributing to urban heat islands and increasing street temperatures in cities. This paradox means that as more households install AC units, the urban environment becomes even hotter, potentially driving further demand.

What’s Next

With Belgium now in its second heat wave of the summer and temperatures expected to remain elevated, the demand for air conditioning shows no signs of slowing. The Frixis data, which does not yet include the impact of either heat wave, suggests that full-year figures could be even more dramatic.

The broader question for policymakers and energy planners is how to balance the growing need for cooling with the strain it places on the electricity grid and the environment. As climate change continues to intensify summer heat in Belgium and across Europe, the “cooling ladder” approach — prioritizing passive measures before active cooling — may become an increasingly important part of the national conversation.