European AC Installation Costs Up to EUR 1,500: Chinese ACs Sell Over 10,000 Units Monthly

Blue Whale News, June 29 (Reporter Lu Pengpeng) Recent extreme heatwaves continue to sweep Europe, with Germany, UK, France, etc., breaking high temperature records, and multiple countries issuing heat warnings. Against this backdrop, Chinese-made air conditioners and other cooling appliances have become hot commodities, with over 10,000 monthly orders on e-commerce platforms and shortages in offline stores.

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

According to CCTV News, a World Meteorological Organization official said on the 26th that the heatwave sweeping Western Europe and breaking multiple temperature records will continue eastward, affecting the entire continent.

Data shows France has experienced consecutive days of heatwave, with western France temperatures reaching 43°C, the highest June record in France; the UK's high temperature record was broken for three consecutive days from June 24-26, reaching 37.3°C on the 26th. Over 1,000 schools in England and Wales were fully or partially closed on the 26th. Germany's Mücken-Drewitz area recorded 41.5°C on the 27th, a new high. Persistent high temperatures damaged multiple highway surfaces, leading to closures or speed limits, while railway authorities urged reduced long-distance travel. Italy also suffers extreme heat, with the government issuing red heat alerts for 18 cities including Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan.

AC Penetration Rate Only About 20%, High Installation and Usage Barriers

Despite record-breaking temperatures, AC penetration in European countries is far below other major economies, with only about 20% of households equipped with cooling devices.

Reasons are multiple. First, historically, European summers, especially in the north, rarely had prolonged heat, so demand for AC installation was low. Second, to combat climate change, Europe has set green development goals, with some countries implementing restrictions. For example, Spain in 2022 mandated public space AC temperatures no lower than 27°C.

Sales Surge Under Heat: E-commerce Monthly Sales Exceed 10,000 Units

Under scorching heat, home cooling demand surges. Ordinary mobile ACs sell for EUR 200-500, split ACs about EUR 500-1,200.

Blue Whale reporter checked Amazon France and found the top two bestsellers are Midea ACs. One sold over 10,000 units in the past month at EUR 166; another over 7,000 units at EUR 459.

In this heatwave, Chinese brand ACs stand out with cost-effectiveness, becoming a top choice for many local consumers. Local Chinese residents in France say brands like Midea, Haier, and Gree are available, and under the same configuration, domestic brands are often much cheaper than European, American, and Japanese brands.

According to CCTV News, in the first five months of 2026, China's exports of household ACs to Western European countries increased 9.7% YoY; mobile ACs showed especially strong growth, with a YoY increase of over 70%. Many enterprises report queuing for purchase, offline store shortages, and supply-demand imbalance in multiple Western European markets.

AC: "Affordable to Buy, Expensive to Install and Use": Installation Costs Up to EUR 1,500

Notably, buying an AC in Europe is not the hardest part; the real deterrent is installation. Single installation for split ACs typically costs EUR 300 to 1,500, with the highest quote even exceeding the AC unit's price.

Why such high installation costs? Local Chinese residents analyze that Paris urban buildings often have decades to centuries of history, with thick walls making drilling much more difficult than in modern buildings. Additionally, outdoor unit installation on high-rise buildings involves high-altitude work with high risk. Most apartments require prior application to the property management and approval from the owners' committee, a very cumbersome process.

Meanwhile, local installation workers' hourly rates are relatively high. Combined, split ACs become a "affordable to buy but not to install" home appliance.

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

However, Chinese enterprises have introduced customized products to address facade protection restrictions and high installation costs in European countries.

For example, "Midea U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window AC" features a U-shaped hollow design that fits into window gaps, allowing use after insertion. The window can still be partially opened after installation, perfectly avoiding Europe's high split AC labor costs, property approvals, and old wall drilling issues. It is a popular model in overseas rental markets.

Electricity Bills Also Key: Split AC Adds EUR 30-80 per Month, Mobile AC EUR 50-100

Purchasing an AC in Europe is only the first step; subsequent electricity costs are also significant. Local Chinese residents report that based on daily usage of 6-8 hours, a split AC increases monthly electricity bills by EUR 30-80, while a less efficient mobile AC can add EUR 50-100.

Thus, energy efficiency has become a core consideration for local consumers. On e-commerce platforms, high-efficiency models from Chinese brands also lead in sales.