Unusually high temperatures in Europe at the end of May have renewed attention on cooling needs in buildings.

Heat pump sales have increased in several Member States after earlier declines. According to the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), residential sales grew by an average of 25 per cent in France, Germany and Poland during the first quarter of 2026. Although mainly associated with heating, air‑to‑air heat pumps can also provide cooling by transferring indoor heat outdoors.

Air‑to‑air heat pumps can cool buildings by extracting indoor heat and releasing it outdoors, in a process similar to air conditioning systems. Their performance depends on the electricity used, and they can support the decarbonisation of the building stock by replacing fossil‑fuel‑based heating systems.

Passive measures remain important to limit heat gains in buildings, while several European cities are expanding access to public cooling spaces during periods of extreme heat.