34 percent of Dutch households struggle to cool their homes during heatwaves

Based on a survey, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) has reported that, in 2023, 34 percent of Dutch households could not cool their homes sufficiently during hot weather. This was a struggle in particular for people living in rental properties, flats and older homes. 

More than half of tenants cannot cool their homes properly

In the survey, 55 percent of households living in private rental housing and 46 percent of those living in social housing said that they were unable to cool their homes during heatwaves. 

Other households that struggled to stay cool during high temperatures include those living in flats, apartments and old houses built before 1970 that are often not as well-insulated. Lower-income households are more likely to live in these types of housing, with 47 percent not being able to cool their homes adequately, compared to less than half as many higher-income households. 

Ways to cool homes in the Netherlands

When summer temperatures hit the Netherlands, it can be hard to escape the heat. While lakes and beaches are a popular way to cool off, eventually we all have to go home and try to get some good sleep despite the heat. Everyone has their own methods of doing this. 

When asked how they cooled their homes when the weather was hotter, most participants in the survey said they would open their windows during the evenings (72 percent) and keep their windows or curtains closed during the daytime (60 percent). 35 percent used a fan and only 12 percent of households made use of fixed air conditioning. 

It was also more common for people who own their own homes to have fixed air conditioning (18 percent), while very rare among rental and social housing residents (under 5 percent).