Record 39.6°C heatwave drives AC demand in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with installation waits of up to six weeks

Record heat in the northeast

Germany experienced a widespread heatwave from 18 to 28 June 2026. In the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the town of Anklam (Vorpommern-Greifswald district) recorded 39.6°C on 27 June, which the Deutscher Wetterdienst declared a new all-time state record. The heatwave was part of a pattern the articles link to climate change, noting that such extremes have become more intense and more likely.

Demand for cooling systems surges

After 27 and 28 June, interest in air conditioning shot up dramatically. The Kreishandwerkerschaft Rostock und Bad Doberan, representing the Guild for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, said that "companies are reporting a significantly increased number of inquiries." The spike in requests has persisted, keeping the market under pressure.

Installation bottlenecks and practical hurdles

The trade body reports that waiting time for a split air conditioning unit now stands at three to six weeks. Standard devices can sometimes be sourced within days, but the installation pipeline remains stretched. Split systems consist of an indoor unit that cools room air and an outdoor unit that releases heat; because the outdoor unit is mounted externally, tenants must obtain permission from their landlord, adding a layer of complexity for many potential buyers.

Cost expectations and unrealised orders

A notable feature of the current wave is that many private customers expect installation and planning prices considerably below what the work actually costs, according to the Kreishandwerkerschaft. As a result, not every inquiry turns into a completed order, even as temperatures stay high.

Outlook and seasonal rhythm

Sven von der Heyde, of Barsch Luft- und Klimatechnik GmbH in Papendorf near Rostock, anticipates demand will settle once temperatures drop. He described the cycle as one that repeats year after year.

So the summer seems to be an unusual weather phenomenon.