Heatwave sparks air conditioning rush as demand quadruples across Netherlands

The recent spell of extreme heat has triggered a surge in demand for home air-conditioning systems across the Netherlands. According to Techniek Nederland, some installation companies have seen inquiries increase fourfold compared with previous weeks as households look for ways to cope with the ongoing heatwave, RD reports.

The combination of extreme heat and the Code Orange alert has sparked a rush among consumers to find cooling solutions. Local installers say many households tend to delay thinking about air conditioning until temperatures inside their homes become difficult to tolerate, leading to a sudden surge in demand during heatwaves.

“We are receiving up to 40 enquiries a day,” said Niels van Adrichem of Airco Westland in Maasdijk to Omroep West. “It’s really unprecedented. In winter, we typically get only two or three enquiries per day.”

While air-conditioning units remain readily available from manufacturers, the bottleneck is now installation capacity. Several installation firms say their schedules have filled up so quickly that new customers may have to wait until September before a system can be fitted.

The heatwave is also having a major impact on energy demand. As many households turned on air conditioners and other cooling devices during the evening rush hour, electricity consumption spiked, pushing prices for customers on dynamic tariffs to record levels. During the peak period, rates climbed above 80 cents per kilowatt-hour, reflecting the strain on the power system caused by the simultaneous surge in demand.

Installers say the heatwave is not the only factor driving demand. Many homeowners are also trying to get ahead of the planned end of the Dutch net metering scheme in January 2027. By installing air-to-air heat pumps now, households can make better use of their own solar power during the day, consuming it directly for cooling instead of exporting excess electricity back to the grid.