Heatwave drives up demand for split air conditioners

According to Daikin, demand from private households has increased by over 300 percent in recent weeks compared to the same period last year.

The thermometer remains consistently above 30 degrees Celsius: It's hot in Germany. While blinds, nighttime ventilation, or fans offer only limited relief during prolonged heat waves, retrofitting air conditioning is becoming increasingly important for many homeowners and apartment owners. This trend is likely to continue: According to the " European State of the Climate 2025 " report published in the spring, Europe is warming faster than any other continent.

Specialist companies are reaching their capacity limits.

The rising demand is now also being felt by specialist companies. According to Daikin , many certified refrigeration and air conditioning specialists are already heavily booked for the current summer season . Anyone wanting to have a system installed now should therefore expect longer waiting times. The manufacturer recommends planning the purchase outside the summer months . More appointments are generally available in autumn, winter, or spring. The waiting time can be used to obtain different quotes and determine the appropriate system size.

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Market approaching previous highs

Figures from the German Association for Building Climate Control (FGK) also show that the market as a whole is growing . According to these figures , more than 300.000 air conditioning units with heat pump functionality were sold in Germany in 2025. This brings sales closer to the previous peak of over 330.000 units in 2020. In addition to private households, commercial properties are also experiencing increasing demand for air conditioning, according to Daikin.

Installation remains the responsibility of skilled tradespeople. 

In Germany, permanently installed split and multi-split air conditioning systems may not be put into operation by the homeowner. For safety and environmental reasons, the handling of refrigerants and the commissioning of such systems are reserved for certified specialist companies . While portable air conditioners can be used without installation, according to the manufacturer, they generally operate less energy-efficiently than permanently installed split systems.

Air conditioners can also be used for heating.

Another aspect is gaining importance, according to Daikin: Modern split air conditioners operate as air-to-air heat pumps and can also be used for heating in winter . This makes them suitable as a supplement to existing heating systems and can reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. If a system is specifically used as a heating solution, it can be subsidized under certain conditions as part of the German Federal Funding Program for Efficient Buildings (BEG) . The applicable funding guidelines are crucial in this regard. DHB is now also available digitally! Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!