European air conditioning market update 2024
[edit] 2024 highs and lows across European Air Conditioning market
Research published in February 2025 by BSRIA on the European Air Conditioning markets revealed how volatile markets have become in response to a variety of conflicting factors driving and pushing back sales. The overall regional sales posted some growth in 2024, reaching market value above 18 billion dollars. However, the good performance has not been equal across the countries and the segments.
Water-based AC segment held up well, posting an annual growth rate of 5.6%, compared to a 1.4% increase in the packaged AC segment.
The launch of the European Green Deal and deployment of National Energy Plans have supported renovation projects boosting sales of chillers in 2024, but political debacles and economic hardships have taken toll in some countries curbing ambitions of private and public investors.
AC sales, particularly in residential segment, are driven by replacement and refurbishment sectors, and factors like high inflation, high borrowing cost or uncertainly of employment impact consumer confidence. Many European countries have also seen decrease in new construction activities, which translated in slowing sales, in both, residential and commercial segments.
Among the biggest European AC markets, Italy, Turkey, and Spain have seen positive market progression, but sales in France, Germany and UK have been disappointing in 2024.
Key Scandinavian markets, Sweden and Norway have also experienced significant decrease in sales.
The picture varied greatly in other European countries, where sales results spanned between double-digit decrease and double digit growth in comparison towards last year’s results.
[edit] High discrepancy rates in the annual demand for AC units
The trend towards reversible systems has stayed upward, underpinned by the good results in the screw and scroll chillers growth. Reciprocating heating and cooling chillers for comfort followed a positive development too, but volumes were marginal. Previously, the use of reciprocating compressors was limited to process applications, but latest development which allows for the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants made them suitable for comfort heat pump applications, for instance in Switzerland, Denmark and Norway.
BSRIA’s Worldwide Air Conditioning portfolio provides reliable market data, derived from BSRIA proven methodology which, for the last 30 years, has followed rigorous definitions and transparent process, allowing for reliable assessment of historical trends, current sales, and future forecasts. BSRIA data are indispensable for a development of credible strategic insights into the industry’s trajectory. The Air Conditioning reports untangle complex global AC markets and deliver data on product sales by type, with insights into product characteristics, like capacity, compressor types, refrigerants used and applications. BSRIA AC country reports help to understand the driving forces and obstacles affecting the markets and provide informed forecast for the incoming 5 years.
For further information on European Air Conditioning country reports, please contact our sales department wmisales@bsria.com.
This article originally appeared on the BSRIA news and blog site as 'European Air Conditioning Market Update' dated February 2025.
--BSRIA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Air conditioning.
- Air conditioning inspection.
- Air handling unit.
- Building services
- Chilled beam.
- Chiller unit.
- Chilled water.
- Cooling systems for buildings.
- Displacement ventilation.
- Ductwork.
- Fan coil unit.
- Heat recovery.
- Humidity.
- Mechanical ventilation.
- Natural ventilation.
- Smart connected HVAC market.
- Ventilation.
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.