Europe Heatwave Drives AC Demand: Installation Up to 1,500 Euros, Chinese Sales Surpass 10,000

Recent extreme heatwaves have swept Europe, with Germany, the UK, France, and others setting new temperature records, triggering heat alerts in multiple countries. Against this backdrop, Chinese-made air conditioners and other cooling appliances have become hot sellers on e-commerce platforms, with monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units and even shortages in offline stores.

Over 40°C Heatwave Continues; Multiple European Countries Issue Alerts

According to CCTV News, a World Meteorological Organization official stated that the heatwave that swept Western Europe and broke multiple temperature records will continue to move eastward, affecting the entire continent.

France has faced consecutive days of heatwave, with western France reaching 43°C, the highest June temperature on record. The UK saw three consecutive days of record-breaking heat from June 24-26, hitting 37.3°C on the 26th, leading to full or partial closure of over a thousand schools in England and Wales. Eastern Germany's Muecke-Drewitz area recorded 41.5°C on June 27, setting a new high. Persistent high temperatures damaged highways in multiple areas, leading to closures or speed limits, and the railway authority urged people to avoid long-distance travel. Italy issued red heat alerts for 18 cities including Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan.

High Barriers to AC Installation: Penetration Rate Only About 20%

Despite record temperatures, AC penetration in European countries remains far below that of other major economies, with only about 20% of homes having cooling equipment. Reasons include a historically low frequency of prolonged high temperatures, especially in Northern Europe, reducing demand. Additionally, green development goals lead some countries to restrict AC use; for example, Spain in 2022 mandated public places keep AC temperatures at 27°C or above.

E-Commerce Monthly Sales Exceed 10,000; Chinese Brands Stand Out with Value

Under the heat, demand for home cooling has surged. In France, mobile AC units typically range from 200 to 500 euros, while split systems cost 500 to 1,200 euros.

Blue Whale reporters checked Amazon France and found that the top two best-sellers were Midea ACs: one had over 10,000 customer purchases in the past month, priced at 166 euros; the other had over 7,000 orders at 459 euros.

In this heatwave, Chinese-brand ACs have become a top choice for many local consumers due to their value advantage. Interviewed Chinese residents said brands like Midea, Haier, and Gree are available, and at the same configuration, Chinese brands are generally much cheaper than European, American, and Japanese counterparts.

According to CCTV News, in the first five months of 2026, China's exports of household ACs to Western Europe increased 9.7% year-on-year, with mobile ACs growing particularly strongly—up over 70%. Many companies reported queuing consumers, offline shortages, and supply-demand imbalances in several Western European markets.

"Buy Affordably, Install Unaffordably": Installation Fees Up to 1,500 Euros

Notably, buying an AC in Europe is not the hardest part; installation is what deters consumers. The installation cost for a split AC typically ranges from 300 to 1,500 euros, with the highest quotes exceeding the unit price itself.

Why are installation fees so high? Interviewed Chinese residents noted: Paris city housing often dates back decades or even centuries; heavy walls make drilling much harder than in modern buildings. High-rise outdoor unit installation involves high-risk work. Most apartments require prior approval from property management and the owners' committee, a lengthy process.

Meanwhile, local installation labor rates are high, and these multiple costs combine to make split ACs a 'buy affordable, install unaffordable' appliance.

Due to high installation difficulty and costs, portable mobile ACs have become the primary cooling choice for local residents, especially renters.

To address constraints on facade protection and high installation costs, Chinese companies have introduced customized products. For example, Midea's U-shaped smart inverter window AC features a U-shaped design that can be fixed in a window gap without professional installation, allowing limited window opening, thus avoiding the high labor fees, property approvals, and wall-drilling challenges in Europe. It is a popular model in overseas rental markets.

Electricity Cost Also Key: Energy Efficiency Influences Choice

Furthermore, buying an AC is only the first step in Europe; ongoing electricity costs are also significant. Feedback from local Chinese indicates that using a split AC for 6-8 hours daily increases monthly electricity bills by 30 to 80 euros; a less efficient mobile AC could add 50 to 100 euros per month.

Thus, energy efficiency has become a core consideration for consumers. On e-commerce platforms, high-efficiency Chinese brand models sell better.