As Europe swelters under an unrelenting heatwave, temperatures have soared to levels that are increasingly challenging for residents and aging infrastructure alike—and Chinese air conditioner makers are capitalising on this intensifying demand.
From Paris to Athens, Lisbon to Berlin, much of the continent has been grappling with record-breaking temperatures. In Madrid, authorities raised a yellow heat alert as temperatures neared 36 °C, while in France, 85 of 96 departments remained under heat warnings last weekend. In Paris, the mercury breached 36 °C, markedly higher than its average June high of 24 °C, exemplifying Europe’s growing vulnerability to extreme heat.
Chinese customs data reveals a striking response: exports of air conditioners to Europe surged by nearly 60% in volume in July compared to the same month last year, underscoring the urgent shift in consumer behaviour.
This demand boom builds on earlier trends. In the first five months of 2025, exports of Chinese air conditioners to the EU and UK reached US$1.39 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of about 20% by value. Manufacturers such as Hisense, Gree, Midea, and Haier have all reported substantial growth: Hisense’s 2025 first-half sales rose by more than 20% in Italy and doubled in Hungary; Gree saw sustained growth for its energy-efficient, AI-powered models across 48 countries; Midea recorded a 35% jump in sales overall and an explosive 68% surge in France; and Haier’s sales climbed roughly 30%, with strong momentum in Italy and Spain.
The shift towards air conditioning in Europe, particularly made-in-China models, has been driven by changing climate realities. Air conditioning—once viewed as a luxury or even undesirable—is now becoming a necessity. As one German installer put it, “It’s no longer a luxury, it’s becoming a necessity.”
Several structural barriers that have long constrained AC uptake in Europe—such as high electricity costs, restrictive rental agreements, historic building preservation rules, and upfront installation expenses—are being eroded by the pressing need for relief from the heat. For example, a 1.5-horsepower air conditioner in Germany may cost €600–800 for the unit alone, with installation raising the total cost to over €1,500. Meanwhile, high electricity rates push monthly power bills above €200 for continuous summer usage.
Yet these challenges are becoming secondary as Europeans adapt to a sweltering new normal—one in which cooling is not a convenience, but a basic requirement for health and comfort.
