Europe AC Installation Fee Soars Due to Heat: Up to 1,500 Euros Once

Recently, extreme heatwaves continue to sweep across Europe, with Germany, the UK, France, and other countries repeatedly breaking high-temperature records, leading to multiple heat warnings.

Against this backdrop, 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 even experiencing shortages.

Heatwaves Over 40°C Continue: Multiple Countries Issue Heat Alerts

According to CCTV News, a World Meteorological Organization official said the heatwave that has swept Western Europe and broken multiple temperature records will continue to spread eastward, affecting the entire European continent.

Data shows France has been hit by heatwaves for several consecutive days, with the western region reaching 43°C, the highest June temperature on record. The UK's high-temperature records were broken for three consecutive days from June 24 to 26, reaching 37.3°C on the 26th, causing over a thousand schools in England and Wales to fully or partially close. The Möcken-Drewitz area in eastern Germany recorded 41.5°C on the 27th, breaking the highest temperature record and leading to closures or speed limits on some highway sections. Italy's government issued red heat alerts for 18 cities, including Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan.

Low AC Penetration: Only About 20% of Households Have Cooling Equipment

Despite record-breaking temperatures, AC penetration in European countries remains far lower than in other major economies, with only about 20% of households having cooling equipment.

Reasons include: historically, prolonged high temperatures were less frequent in European summers, especially in the north, so installation demand was relatively low. Meanwhile, to address climate change, Europe has set green development goals, with some countries implementing policies to limit AC use. For example, Spain regulated in 2022 that public places should set AC not lower than 27°C.

[IMG: https://file.jingpt.com/ljapi/report/626113467056678014_1000x1336.png]

Chinese AC Monthly Sales Exceed 10,000: Cost-Effectiveness Drives Online Hot Sales

Under the scorching heat, demand for home cooling has surged sharply. Chinese-brand ACs stand out with cost-effectiveness, becoming the first choice for many local consumers.

In France, a regular mobile AC costs between 200 to 500 euros, while split ACs range from 500 to 1,200 euros.

A Blue Whale reporter checked Amazon France and found that by best-selling order, the top two are Midea ACs: one sold over 10,000 customers in the past month at 166 euros; the other had over 7,000 orders at 459 euros.

[IMG: https://file.jingpt.com/ljapi/report/626113473163584638_1080x580.png]

A Chinese national who has lived in Paris for ten years said recent high temperatures in Paris have been extreme, notably worse than in previous years. He also mentioned that for the same configuration, Chinese brands are generally much cheaper than European, American, and Japanese brands.

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; mobile ACs grew particularly strongly, with a year-on-year increase of over 70%. Many companies reported that consumers in several Western European markets are queuing to buy, offline stores are out of stock, and supply cannot meet demand.

"Can Afford, Can't Install, Can't Use": Installation Fees Up to 1,500 Euros

Notably, buying an AC in Europe is only the first step; the installation process is even more daunting for consumers. The one-time installation cost for a split AC typically ranges from 300 to 1,500 euros, with the highest quotes even exceeding the AC unit's price.

Why are installation fees so high? Local Chinese residents explain that most buildings in Paris are decades or even centuries old, with thick walls, making drilling much harder than in modern buildings. External units in high-rise buildings involve high-altitude work, increasing risk. Many apartments also require prior installation applications to the property management, subject to approval by the owners' committee, a cumbersome process.

In addition, local installers' hourly rates are high. With multiple cost layers, split ACs have become a "can afford but can't install" appliance locally.

Because installation is difficult and expensive, portable mobile ACs have become the preferred cooling option for local residents, especially renters.

Customized Window Units Bypass Installation Challenges: Popular in Rental Market

To address Europe's strict exterior protection limits and high installation costs, Chinese companies have launched customized products.

For example, the "Midea U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window AC" uses a U-shaped hollow design that fits into the window gap and locks into place. After installation, the window can still be partially opened, bypassing the high labor costs, property approvals, and old-wall-drilling issues in Europe. It is a popular model in the overseas rental market.

[IMG: https://file.jingpt.com/ljapi/report/626113498396517502_1080x605.png]

Electricity Costs Also a Burden: Split and Mobile ACs Add Dozens of Euros per Month

Beyond purchase and installation, ongoing electricity costs are significant. Local residents report that with daily usage of 6-8 hours, each split AC increases monthly electricity bills by 30-80 euros; less efficient mobile ACs may add 50-100 euros per month.

As a result, energy efficiency has become a core consideration for local consumers when choosing ACs. On e-commerce platforms, Chinese brands' high-efficiency, energy-saving models are also selling better.