European air conditioner installation costs soar: up to €1,500 and monthly sales top 10,000
In recent days, an extreme heatwave has continued to sweep across Europe, with Germany, the UK, France and other countries repeatedly setting new temperature records and many countries issuing heat alerts. Against this backdrop, air conditioners and other cooling appliances made in China have become hot sellers locally. Monthly sales on e-commerce platforms have exceeded 10,000 orders, and offline stores have even seen products flying off the shelves.
Heatwave above 40°C persists, prompting heat warnings across Europe
According to CCTV News, a World Meteorological Organization official said the heatwave that has swept across Western Europe and broken multiple temperature records will continue moving eastward, affecting the entire European continent.
France has been hit by heat for several consecutive days. Temperatures in western France have climbed to 43°C, the highest June temperature on record in France. In the UK, temperature records were broken for three straight days from June 24 to 26, reaching 37.3°C on the 26th, and more than 1,000 schools were fully or partially closed. In Germany's Merken-Drevez region in the east, temperatures reached 41.5°C on the 27th, setting a new high-temperature record.
The Italian government has issued a red heat alert for 18 cities including Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan.
Low AC penetration in Europe drives strong demand for Chinese brands
Despite repeated record highs, AC penetration in European countries is far lower than in other major economies, with only about 20% of households equipped with air conditioners or other cooling devices.
Reasons include the infrequency of intense summer heat, as well as green development goals adopted by Europe to address climate change. Some countries also enforce policies restricting AC use. For example, Spain set a rule in 2022 that the temperature of air conditioners in public places must not be below 27°C.
Amid the heat, demand for home cooling has surged sharply. Local listings show that in France, a standard portable AC costs about €200 to €500, while a split-system AC costs about €500 to €1,200.
A Blue Whale News reporter checked Amazon France and found that among the top-selling models, Midea ACs stood out: one model had been purchased by more than 10,000 customers in the past month and was priced at €166; another had more than 7,000 orders and was priced at €459.
Interviewed overseas Chinese said that, for the same specifications, domestic Chinese brands are generally much cheaper than European, American and Japanese brands, making them the preferred choice for many local consumers.
According to CCTV News, China's exports of household air conditioners to Western European countries rose 9.7% year on year in the first five months of 2026, with portable ACs posting especially strong growth, up more than 70% year on year. Many companies reported queues of consumers buying units, out-of-stock stores, and supply falling short of demand in several Western European markets.
Can buy it, can’t install it, can’t afford to run it: installation can cost up to €1,500
It is worth noting that buying an air conditioner in Europe is not the hardest part; what really makes consumers hesitate is installation. A split-system AC typically costs €300 to €1,500 per installation, and the highest quotes can even exceed the price of the unit itself.
Reasons for the high installation cost include: many buildings in central Paris are decades or even over a century old, with thick walls in older structures that make drilling more difficult; installing outdoor units on high-rise residential buildings involves working at height and carries greater risk; in addition, most apartments require a prior installation application to the property manager, and work may only begin after approval by the homeowners' committee, making the process cumbersome.
At the same time, local installers' hourly rates are relatively high. With multiple costs added together, split-system ACs have become a household appliance that people can buy but struggle to install.
Because installation is difficult and expensive, portable air conditioners have become the first choice for local residents, especially renters, when it comes to cooling.
Custom window units avoid installation headaches, but electricity costs still matter
To address restrictions on exterior facade protection and high installation costs, Chinese companies have launched customized products. For example, the “Midea U-shaped smart inverter window AC,” which sells more than 7,000 units a month, features a U-shaped hollow design. It can be used simply by inserting it into the gap in a window and securing it. After installation, the window can still be opened and closed to a limited extent, avoiding the labor costs, property approval process and drilling difficulties associated with split ACs in Europe. It has become a popular model in overseas rental markets.
In addition, buying an air conditioner is only the first step; future electricity costs should not be ignored. Based on local feedback and assuming 6 to 8 hours of daily use, monthly electricity bills for a split-system AC can rise by €30 to €80; for a more power-hungry portable AC, monthly electricity costs may reach €50 to €100.
As a result, energy efficiency has become a key factor for local consumers when choosing an air conditioner, and sales of high-efficiency, energy-saving models from Chinese brands on e-commerce platforms are also clearly leading the market.
