European AC installation costs high; Chinese AC monthly sales exceed 10,000
An extreme heatwave continues to grip Europe, with Germany, the UK, France, and others setting new high-temperature records. Multiple countries have issued heat warnings.
In this context, Chinese-made air conditioners and other cooling appliances have become hot sellers locally, with monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units on e-commerce platforms, and offline stores facing shortages.
Over 40°C heatwave scorches; multiple countries issue heat alerts
According to World Meteorological Organization officials, the heatwave that has broken multiple temperature records across Western Europe will continue spreading eastward, affecting the entire continent.
France has experienced consecutive days of heat, with western France reaching 43°C, a June record.
UK temperatures hit record highs for three consecutive days from June 24-26, reaching 37.3°C on June 26. On the 26th, over a thousand schools in England and Wales fully or partially closed.
Germany's Mücken-Drewitz area measured 41.5°C on June 27, a new high. Prolonged heat damaged highway surfaces, leading to closures or speed limits on many sections, and railways urged reduced long-distance travel.
Italy is also suffering, with the government issuing red heat alerts for 18 cities including Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan.
Despite soaring temperatures, AC penetration in European countries remains far below other major economies, with only about 20% of households equipped with cooling devices.
Reasons include: historically, long heatwaves were uncommon, especially in Northern Europe, reducing the need for AC. Additionally, to address climate change, Europe has set green development goals, with some countries encouraging limited AC use. For example, Spain in 2022 mandated public air-conditioned spaces not below 27°C.
Under heatwave, a single AC product sells over 10,000 units monthly; Chinese brands break through on value
In France, a basic mobile AC unit costs between €200 and €500, while split units cost about €500 to €1,200.
According to Amazon France, the top two best-sellers are both Midea ACs: one sold over 10,000 units in the past month at €166, another had over 7,000 orders at €459.
Amid this heatwave, Chinese brand ACs have stood out with value for money, becoming the first choice for many local consumers. Local feedback indicates that at the same performance, Chinese brands are generally much cheaper than European and Japanese brands. Brands like Midea, Haier, and Gree are available in France.
CCTV reports show that in the first five months of 2026, China's household AC exports to Western Europe rose 9.7% year-on-year; mobile AC growth stood out, with over 70% surge. Many firms report queuing buyers and offline stockouts in several Western European markets.
"Affordable to buy, not to install or run": Installation up to €1,500, electricity bill up €100/month
Notably, buying an AC in Europe is not the hardest part; installation is the real deterrent. Split AC installation typically costs €300 to €1,500, sometimes exceeding the unit price.
Why such high costs? Local analysis attributes it to: Parisian buildings often decades or centuries old with thick walls, making drilling difficult; high-rise outdoor unit installation involving high-altitude work and risk; most apartments requiring owner committee approval before installation—a lengthy process.
Additionally, local labor rates are high, making split AC a "can afford to buy, cannot afford to install" appliance.
Due to difficult and costly installation, portable mobile ACs have become the preferred cooling option for residents, especially renters.
To address facade protection restrictions and high installation costs, Chinese firms have launched customized products. For example, the "Midea U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window AC" (monthly sales >7000) uses a U-shaped design that fits into a window gap, allowing partial window opening while avoiding high labor costs, property approvals, and wall drilling—a hot model in overseas rental markets.
Furthermore, purchase is only the first step; electricity bills are also significant. Running a split AC for 6-8 hours daily can increase monthly electricity by €30-80; higher-energy mobile ACs may add €50-100 per month.
As a result, energy efficiency has become a key consideration. On e-commerce platforms, Chinese brands' high-efficiency models sell better.
