How has the perception of air conditioning changed in France due to rising temperatures?

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More French people in France are viewing air conditioning more favourably as temperatures rise
In France, air conditioning is increasingly being treated as a practical need rather than an environmentally unfriendly product, as hotter weather drives demand. A survey found that eight in 10 people previously viewed air conditioning as environmentally unfriendly, but sales data and household figures show attitudes shifting alongside rising temperatures. During the heatwave on June 22, Carrefour sold 30,000 air-cooling units by 6.30pm, described as “a thousand times more than on a normal day,” and the share of households with air conditioning rose from 18 percent in 2023 to 24 percent in 2025.
Demand surged during the June 22 heatwave
The shift in perception is closely tied to extreme heat events, with crowds forming around stores selling air-cooling units during hot weather. On June 22, amid a heatwave, Carrefour’s CEO Alexandre Bompard said the retailer sold 30,000 units by 6.30pm, compared with “a thousand times more than on a normal day.” This kind of rapid sell-through reflects how rising temperatures can quickly change how people prioritise cooling.
Household ownership increased from 2023 to 2025
Longstanding scepticism existed in France, but household access to air conditioning has expanded over time. The state environment agency Ademe reported that the share of French households equipped with air conditioning increased from 18 percent in 2023 to 24 percent in 2025. Rising ownership aligns with the pattern of more households treating air conditioning as a relevant response to high temperatures.
The earlier “environmentally unfriendly” view is weakening
Before the current wave of demand, public attitudes were strongly negative, with eight in 10 people viewing air conditioning as environmentally unfriendly. The evidence of rapid sales during heatwaves and the growth in household penetration indicate that this view is not holding steady as temperatures climb. As heat becomes more frequent and intense, more consumers appear willing to buy cooling units.
Heatwave conditions also reveal how unprepared many homes are
Even with more sales, France still has many homes and schools without air conditioning, leaving people exposed during hot spells. A recent study estimated that one in two homes is “inadequately equipped” to cope with high temperatures, describing heatwaves as turning living spaces into a “thermal cauldron.” That gap between need and existing equipment helps explain why rising temperatures translate into sharper day-to-day demand at supermarkets.

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How has the perception of air conditioning changed in France due to rising temperatures?

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