Europe Heatwave Drives AC Demand: Chinese Brand ACs Sell Over 10,000 Units Monthly, Installation Fee Up to 1500 Euros

June 29: A recent extreme heatwave continues to sweep across Europe, with Germany, the UK, France and others repeatedly setting new high temperature records. Multiple countries have issued heat warnings.

Against this backdrop, Chinese-made air conditioners and other cooling appliances have become hot products locally, with monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units on e-commerce platforms. Some offline stores even experience shortages.

Heatwave Over 40°C Continues, Multiple European Countries Issue Heat Alerts

According to CCTV News, a World Meteorological Organization official said that the heatwave that swept Western Europe, breaking many temperature records, will continue to move eastward, affecting the entire continent.

France has suffered heatwaves for several days straight. Temperatures in western France have risen to 43°C, setting a record for the highest June temperature in France.

The UK's high temperature record was broken for three consecutive days from June 24 to 26, reaching 37.3°C on the 26th. On the 26th, over a thousand schools in England and Wales were fully or partially closed.

In eastern Germany, the Mücken-Drewitz area recorded 41.5°C on the 27th, setting a new high record. The persistent heat has damaged highway surfaces in many areas, leading to closures or speed limits on certain sections. Railway authorities urged the public to avoid long-distance travel.

Italy is also suffering from extreme heat. The Italian government has issued red heat alerts for 18 cities including Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan.

Why Is AC Penetration Still Low? Europe's Policy and Habit Differences on 'Installing or Not'

Despite record high temperatures, AC penetration in European countries is far lower than in other major economies, with only about 20% of households having cooling equipment.

Reasons are multifaceted: In the past, prolonged high temperatures were not frequent in European summers, especially in the north, so the demand for AC installation was low.

Additionally, to combat climate change, Europe has set green development goals, with some countries implementing policies limiting AC use. For example, Spain introduced a regulation in 2022 mandating that public place AC temperatures not fall below 27°C.

Chinese ACs Stand Out with Cost-Effectiveness: E-Commerce Monthly Sales Over 10,000

Blue Whale News interviewed a Chinese expat living in Paris for ten years, who said that recent persistent high temperatures in Paris make it feel 'like melting' when walking outside. Under the scorching heat, demand for home cooling has surged sharply.

In France, portable AC prices generally range from 200 to 500 euros, while split ACs range from 500 to 1,200 euros.

Blue Whale News checked Amazon France and found that, sorted by best-selling, the top two are both Midea ACs: one has had over 10,000 customer purchases in the past month, priced at 166 euros; another has had over 7,000 orders, priced at 459 euros.

In this heatwave, Chinese brand ACs have emerged as the top choice for many local consumers due to their cost-effectiveness.

The expat said that brands like Midea, Haier, and Gree are all available in France. For the same configuration, Chinese brands are generally much cheaper than European, American, and Japanese brands.

According to CCTV News, China's exports of household ACs to Western European countries increased by 9.7% year-on-year in the first five months of 2026; the portable AC category grew particularly strongly, with a year-on-year increase of over 70%. Several companies reported that in many Western European markets, consumers are queuing to buy ACs, and offline stores are out of stock, with supply falling short of demand.

'Can Afford to Buy, But Not to Install or Run': Installation Fee Up to 1,500 Euros

Notably, buying an AC in Europe is not the hardest part; the real deterrent is installation. Single installation fees for split ACs generally range from 300 to 1,500 euros, with the highest quotes even exceeding the AC unit price.

Why are installation fees so high? Local Chinese expats analyze that many buildings in central Paris are decades or even centuries old, with thick walls that make drilling much more difficult than in modern buildings.

Additionally, outdoor unit installation in high-rise residential buildings involves high-altitude work with higher risk. Most apartments also require prior application to the property management, and approval from the owners' committee before construction, making the process very cumbersome.

Furthermore, local installation workers' hourly wages are relatively high. With multiple cost factors combined, split ACs in the region create a situation of 'can afford to buy, but not to install.'

Therefore, portable ACs have become the preferred cooling option for local residents, especially renters.

Customized Window Units: Bypassing High-Cost Installation with 'Window Slot Fixing'

To address Europe's installation restrictions on external facades and high costs, Chinese companies have launched customized products.

For example, the 'Midea U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window AC' (monthly sales over 7,000) has a U-shaped hollow design that can be fixed in a window slot for use. After installation, the window can still be partially opened and closed. This product aims to circumvent Europe's high labor costs for split AC installation, property approval, and the difficulty of drilling into old walls, making it a popular model in the overseas rental market.

Electricity Bills Also a Barrier: Split AC May Add 30-80 Euros Monthly

Buying an AC in Europe is only the first step; subsequent electricity costs are also significant. According to feedback from local Chinese expats, with typical daily usage of 6-8 hours, a split AC can increase monthly electricity bills by 30 to 80 euros, while portable ACs with higher energy consumption may cost 50 to 100 euros per month.

Consequently, energy efficiency has become a core consideration for local consumers when choosing ACs. On e-commerce platforms, Chinese brands' high-efficiency energy-saving models clearly lead in sales.