Germany: Germany sees sharp rise in demand for air conditioning amid scorching heatwave.

Germany - July 16, 2026 Shotlist Munich, Germany - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Various of people sitting in park; children playing; fountain 2. SOUNDBITE (German, dubbed in English) German resident (name not given) (starting with shot 1): "We don't have an air conditioner at home. But the last heatwave was really pushing the limits." 3. Various of recreation facilities in empty park 4. SOUNDBITE (German, dubbed in English) German resident (name not given) (starting with shot 3): "I don't have air conditioning at home. I only have it at the office and I wouldn't want to give it up there." 5. People at supermarket 6. SOUNDBITE (German, dubbed in English) German resident (name not given) (starting with shot 5): "No, I don't have air conditioning. But it's getting warmer, so now I'm thinking about buying one." 7. Maximilian Schichtel, managing director of Die Klima Meisterei, entering office; talking with his colleague 8. SOUNDBITE (German, dubbed in English) Maximilian Schichtel, managing director, Die Klima Meisterei (starting with shot 7): "We've seen a massive surge in demand [over the last few years]. It's becoming hard to manage the volume of inquiries." 9. Schichtel checking air conditioner 10. SOUNDBITE (German, dubbed in English) Maximilian Schichtel, managing director, Die Klima Meisterei (starting with shot 9): "While air conditioning is still considered a luxury item, the volume of inquiries shows that people are willing to invest in their comfort, something that wasn't really the case in the past." 11. Various of Schichtel loading air conditioner onto minivan Storyline Germany is facing a surge in demand for air conditioners as relentless heatwaves grip the country, breaking with its long tradition of cooling without machines. Residents in Germany had long viewed hot weather as a brief summer episode. Air conditioners were not standard equipment in most homes, and many people got through summer by opening windows, pulling shades or waiting for temperatures to drop at night. But as heatwaves become more frequent, intense and prolonged, that perception is shifting. Retailers and installers said that demand is surging as more Germans look to stay cool. "We don't have an air conditioner at home. But the last heatwave was really pushing the limits," said a German resident. "I don't have air conditioning at home. I only have it at the office and I wouldn't want to give it up there," said another German resident. In fact, the increasingly frequent scorching spells have already promoted the installation of air conditioners among many German families. "No, I don't have air conditioning. But it's getting warmer, so now I'm thinking about buying one," said a German resident. Air conditioning installer Die Klima Meisterei has never been busier, receiving up to 80 calls a day from homeowners and big businesses. "We've seen a massive surge in demand [over the last few years]. It's becoming hard to manage the volume of inquiries," said Maximilian Schichtel, managing director of Die Klima Meisterei. Schichtel said that it can take weeks just to get an appointment. "While air conditioning is still considered a luxury item, the volume of inquiries shows that people are willing to invest in their comfort, something that wasn't really the case in the past," Schichtel said.