Air conditioning in 60% of Italian homes as heatwaves intensify, health and energy warnings mount
The share of Italian households with air conditioning has doubled to 60 percent since 2013, driven by longer, hotter summers. A study by the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine warns of indoor pollutants lingering up to 15 hours, while electricity bills head toward 400 euros, inflated by Middle East tensions.
Rising temperatures reshape habits
The Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (Sima) reports that climate change has lengthened the warm season, with temperatures exceeding 30°C already in May and persisting well into September. Heatwaves now regularly push readings above 40°C in several cities. As a result, the number of households owning at least one air conditioning unit rose from 29.4 percent in 2013 to an estimated 60 percent in 2026, according to Sima and Istat data.
In recent years, Italy has experienced not only a gradual increase in average summer temperatures but also a lengthening of the hot season, with thermometers in many parts of the peninsula starting to exceed 30°C as early as May and remaining above that level until late September.
- 2013
- 29.4 %
- 2026 (est.)
- 60 %
Indoor air quality under threat
Closing windows and doors for hours to keep cool air in can trap volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inside rooms. A preliminary dispersion study by Sima in collaboration with Velux Italia found that, in poorly ventilated spaces, pollutants can stay airborne for up to 15 hours. Bathrooms are identified as one of the domestic environments most exposed to the buildup of contaminants.
Pollutants can remain in the air for up to 15 hours.
Prolonged exposure to VOCs is linked to respiratory irritation, headaches, fatigue and, over time, more serious effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The full study will be presented on 17 June during the conference "Beyond efficiency. Indoor environmental quality between public health and enhancement of real estate assets" at the Italian Senate.
Energy costs spike amid geopolitics
This summer, households face not only heat and health alerts but also higher electricity tariffs driven by the war in the Middle East. Average spending on air conditioning is estimated to reach 400 euros per family, burdening budgets that are already strained. The combination of longer cooling seasons and elevated energy prices is reshaping household expenses across Italy.
