Europe's High AC Installation Fees Drive Monthly Sales Above 10,000 for Chinese Brands
Recently, extreme heat waves have continued to sweep across Europe, with Germany, the UK, France, and other countries repeatedly setting new high-temperature records, and multiple countries issuing heat alerts. Against this backdrop, Chinese-made cooling appliances such as air conditioners have become hot-selling products locally. Monthly sales on e-commerce platforms have exceeded 10,000 units, and some physical stores are even facing shortages.
Heat Above 40°C Persists as Many European Countries Issue Warnings
According to CCTV News, an official from the World Meteorological Organization said the heat wave will continue spreading eastward, affecting the entire European continent. Data show that France has been hit by heat for several consecutive days, with temperatures in western France rising to 43°C, the highest June temperature on record there; the UK's June 24-26 heat records were broken for three straight days, reaching 37.3°C on the 26th; eastern Germany's Merken-Drewitz region recorded 41.5°C on the 27th; and the Italian government issued red heat alerts for 18 cities including Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan.
Although temperatures keep hitting new highs, AC penetration in European countries remains far below that of major economies in other regions, with only about 20% of households equipped with air conditioners or other cooling devices.
Rising Heat Demand, But Air Conditioner Installation Faces Multiple Constraints in Europe
Summers in Europe have not traditionally been very hot, so demand for AC installation has not been high. At the same time, to address climate change, Europe has set green development targets, and some countries have adopted policies that restrict AC use. For example, Spain introduced rules in 2022 requiring public places not to set AC temperatures below 27°C.
As Heat Rises, One AC Model Sells Over 10,000 Units a Month, With Chinese Brands Winning on Value
A Chinese resident who has lived in Paris for ten years said recent heat in Paris has been relentless, and walking outside feels "like melting." In this heat, demand for home cooling has surged sharply.
In France, standard portable air conditioners sell for about €200 to €500, while split systems cost around €500 to €1,200. Blue Whale News checked Amazon France and found the top two best-selling products were both Midea air conditioners: one had been bought by more than 10,000 customers in the past month and was priced at €166; the other had more than 7,000 orders and cost €459.
In this heat wave, Chinese-brand air conditioners, thanks to their value-for-money advantage, have become the first choice for many local consumers. Chinese residents there said brands such as Midea, Haier, and Gree are available in France, and with the same specifications, domestic brands are usually much cheaper than European and Japanese brands.
According to CCTV News, China's home air conditioner exports to Western European countries grew 9.7% year on year in the first five months of 2026; portable ACs grew especially fast, up more than 70% year on year. Many companies reported queues of consumers buying units, shortages in offline stores, and supply not keeping up with demand in several Western European markets.
"Can Afford to Buy, Cannot Afford to Install, Cannot Afford to Run": Installation Can Cost Up to €1,500, and Electricity Bills Are Higher
It is worth noting that buying an air conditioner in Europe is not the hardest part; the real barrier is installation. The one-time installation fee for split systems is generally between €300 and €1,500, and the highest quotes can even exceed the price of the AC unit itself.
Why is installation so expensive? Local Chinese residents explained that most buildings in Paris are decades or even over a century old. Their thick walls make drilling far more difficult than in modern buildings. In addition, installing outdoor units on high-rise buildings involves working at height and carries higher risk. Most apartments also require residents to submit installation applications to property management in advance, and work can only begin after approval by the owners' committee, making the process cumbersome.
At the same time, local installers have relatively high hourly wages. With multiple costs stacked together, split systems have become an appliance that people "can afford to buy, but not afford to install."
Because installation is difficult and costly, portable AC units have become a common choice for many residents, especially renters.
To Address Facade Restrictions and High Labor Costs, Chinese Companies Launch Customized Window Units
To solve problems such as facade protection limits and high installation fees when installing air conditioners in Europe, Chinese companies have launched customized products. For example, the "Midea U-shaped smart inverter window unit," which sells more than 7,000 units a month, features a U-shaped hollow design that can be inserted into a window gap and secured for use. After installation, the window can still open and close to a limited extent, helping avoid the high labor costs, property management approvals, and wall-drilling challenges common with split systems. It has become a popular model in overseas rental markets.
At the same time, buying an air conditioner is only the first step; electricity costs later also need to be considered. Local Chinese residents said that, based on daily use of six to eight hours, a split AC can add €30 to €80 to the monthly electricity bill, while a more power-hungry portable AC may cost €50 to €100 a month to run.
For this reason, energy efficiency has become a core consideration for local consumers when choosing an AC. On e-commerce platforms, high-efficiency, energy-saving models from Chinese brands also sell more strongly.
