High AC Installation Costs in Europe: Can't Afford to Install or Run

June 29 (Reporter Lu Pengpeng) Extreme heat waves continue to scorch Europe recently, with Germany, the UK, France, and others setting new high temperature records, triggering heat warnings in multiple countries.

In this context, Chinese-made air conditioners and other cooling appliances have become hot sellers on e-commerce platforms, with monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units, and offline stores seeing stockouts.

Over 40°C Heat Wave Engulfs Multiple Countries

According to CCTV News, a World Meteorological Organization official said on 26 June that the heat wave that has been sweeping Western Europe, breaking multiple temperature records, will continue to spread eastward across the continent.

Data show France has suffered consecutive days of heat, with temperatures in the west reaching 43°C, the highest for June on record in France.

The UK's high temperature records were broken for three consecutive days from June 24-26, reaching 37.3°C on 26 June. Over a thousand schools in England and Wales were fully or partially closed on 26 June.

In eastern Germany, the Mücken-Drewitz area recorded 41.5°C on 27 June, a new high. The prolonged heat damaged highways in many areas, prompting closures or speed limits, and railway authorities urged people to avoid long-distance travel.

Italy also suffered severe heat, with the government issuing red heat alerts for 18 cities including Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan.

Demand Ignited: Air Conditioning Penetration Still Low

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

The reasons are multiple. First, historically, European summers, especially in the north, rarely had prolonged high temperatures, so demand for AC was low.

Additionally, to address climate change, Europe has set green development goals, and some countries have implemented policies limiting AC use. For example, Spain introduced a 2022 rule that public places must keep AC temperatures at or above 27°C.

Chinese ACs Sell Over 10,000 Units a Month: Cost-Effective

Blue Whale News interviewed a Chinese national who has lived in Paris for ten years. He said the recent heat in Paris has been extreme. 'Even in hot summers, such extreme weather was rare. Walking on the street feels like melting.'

Under the heat, home cooling demand has soared.

In France, ordinary mobile ACs cost between 200 and 500 euros, while split ACs are about 500 to 1,200 euros.

Blue Whale News checked Amazon France and found that by best-selling rank, the top two are Midea ACs. One sold over 10,000 units in the past month, priced at 166 euros; the other had over 7,000 orders at 459 euros.

In this heat wave, Chinese-brand ACs stand out for their cost-effectiveness, becoming the top choice for many local consumers.

'Midea, Haier, Gree and other brands are available in France. With the same configuration, Chinese brands are generally cheaper than European, American, and Japanese brands,' the Chinese national told Blue Whale News.

According to CCTV News, China's exports of household ACs to Western European countries grew 9.7% year-on-year in the first five months of 2026; among them, mobile ACs grew sharply, with a year-on-year increase of over 70%. Many companies reported queuing customers, offline store shortages, and supply exceeding demand in multiple Western European markets.

Can Afford to Buy, but Not Install: Installation Fees Up to 1,500 Euros

Notably, buying an AC is not the hardest part in Europe; the installation process deters consumers. Split AC installation costs range from 300 to 1,500 euros, with the highest quotes exceeding the unit price.

Why are installation fees so high? The local Chinese explained that most buildings in central Paris are decades or even centuries old, with thick walls, making drilling much harder than in modern buildings.

Also, installing outdoor units on high-rise buildings involves high-risk work, and most apartments require prior application to the management, approved by the owners' committee, making the process extremely cumbersome.

Meanwhile, local installation workers' hourly rates are high. With multiple cost factors combined, split ACs have become appliances that people 'can afford to buy but not to install.'

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

However, Chinese companies have introduced customized products to address the issues of facade protection restrictions and high installation fees in Europe. For example, the 'Midea U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window AC,' which sold over 7,000 units monthly, features a U-shaped design that fits into a window gap for installation. After installation, the window can still be partially opened, making it a popular model in overseas rental markets.

Electricity Bills Also Matter: Split AC Adds 30-80 Euros per Month

It's worth noting that buying an AC in Europe is only the first step; the subsequent electricity costs cannot be ignored. The local Chinese reported that based on daily use of 6 to 8 hours, a split AC adds 30 to 80 euros per month to the electricity bill.

A more energy-hungry mobile AC could add 50 to 100 euros per month.

Therefore, energy efficiency has become a key consideration for local consumers when choosing an AC. On e-commerce platforms, Chinese brand high-efficiency energy-saving models also lead in sales.