Can buy it, can’t install it, can’t afford to run it: European AC installation fees rise to €1,500, Chinese AC sales top 10,000 a month
Heatwave above 40°C keeps scorching Europe; many countries issue heat alerts
Extreme heatwaves have recently swept across Europe, setting record-high temperatures in Germany, the UK, France and elsewhere, with many countries issuing heat warnings. Against this backdrop, cooling appliances such as air conditioners made in China have become hot-selling products, with monthly e-commerce sales topping 10,000 units and shortages appearing in offline stores.
According to CCTV News, a World Meteorological Organization official said on the 26th that the heatwave sweeping Western Europe will continue to move eastward. Data show that temperatures in western France have climbed to 43°C, a record high for June; the UK broke its June 24-26 high-temperature record for three straight days, reaching 37.3°C; the Merken-Drewitz area in eastern Germany recorded 41.5°C on the 27th; and Italy issued red heat alerts for 18 cities.
Even as temperatures keep hitting new highs, air-conditioner penetration in European countries is only about 20%. Reasons include historically infrequent summer heat and green-development policies. For example, Spain requires indoor temperatures in public places to be no lower than 27°C.
In the heat, one AC model sells more than 10,000 units a month; Chinese brands win on value
A Blue Whale reporter interviewed a Chinese resident who has lived in Paris for 10 years. The resident said Paris has been extremely hot recently and demand for home cooling has surged. In France, a standard portable air conditioner costs about €200 to €500, while a split-type unit costs about €500 to €1,200. A Blue Whale search on Amazon France found that the top two best-selling products were both Midea air conditioners. One model had been bought by more than 10,000 customers in the past month and sold for €166; the other had more than 7,000 orders and sold for €459.
Chinese brands are standing out on value for money, with Midea, Haier and Gree all available in France. In the first five months of the year, China’s exports of household air conditioners to Western Europe rose 9.7% year on year, while portable air-conditioner shipments jumped more than 70%.
Can buy it, can’t install it, can’t afford to run it: installation fees up to €1,500, power bills up by €100 a month
Installation for split-type air conditioners generally costs between €300 and €1,500 per installation, with the highest quotes even exceeding the price of the unit itself. In older buildings in central Paris, thick walls make drilling difficult; in high-rise apartments, installing the outdoor unit requires working at height and permission from building management, making the process cumbersome. Local installers also charge high hourly rates. Combined, these costs make split-type air conditioners “affordable to buy but not to install.” As a result, portable units are the preferred choice for renters.
Chinese firms have launched customised products, such as Midea’s U-shaped smart inverter window unit. Its U-shaped hollow design lets it sit in a window gap and still allows the window to open and close after installation, avoiding high installation fees and approval headaches.
It is worth noting that buying an air conditioner is only the first step; electricity costs are also significant. Based on 6 to 8 hours of use per day, split-type units can add €30 to €80 a month to power bills, while portable units may add €50 to €100. Energy efficiency has become a key consideration for local consumers, and high-efficiency Chinese models are leading sales.
