Europe's heatwaves boost demand for Chinese air conditioners in Spain

People cool off at a cafe in Madrid, Spain, June 21, 2026. Madrid and much of Spain entered the first day of a forecast four-day heatwave on Sunday, with Spain's State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) placing the capital under an orange alert. [Photo/Xinhua]

As another scorching summer grips Spain and much of Europe, demand for affordable and energy-efficient air conditioners is rising. For many consumers, Chinese brands are emerging as increasingly attractive options, offering a combination of affordability, energy efficiency, and reliable performance.

The trend is becoming more visible in appliance stores across Spain.

"Many Chinese brands are appearing and customers are beginning to ask about them. The demand is still relatively small, but it is growing, and we are getting more people asking for specific brands," Albert Martinez, manager of the Electro Norma home appliance store, told Xinhua.

For Muhammad Hussain, who runs the Soy Clima appliance store, affordability has become a key factor in purchasing decisions.

"People are interested not only in quality, but also in affordable prices," he said. "Chinese brands are generally competitively priced, so many customers choose them to help get through the summer."

Temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the Iberian Peninsula, while scientists warn that extreme heat is becoming more frequent and intense.

According to the International Energy Agency, Europe is warming at twice the global average rate, yet only around 20 percent of European households have air conditioning, leaving significant room for future growth.

"In homes where there are elderly people, vulnerable people or young children, air conditioning has become a health issue rather than simply a matter of comfort," Eric Marti, head of Fegicat, one of Spain's leading federations representing companies that install air conditioning systems, told Xinhua.

As extreme summer temperatures become increasingly common, many consumers choose Chinese brands as they can offer an attractive balance between price and performance.

Regina Lidia Perez, who was comparing air conditioners in a Barcelona store, said she was considering a Chinese brand because she was told that "the price-quality ratio is very good."

Another customer, Jose Manuel Serrano, said he plans to install a Haier air conditioner, describing it as "a trusted brand" with "a level of quality that allows you to buy with confidence."

Martinez said Chinese manufacturers have become increasingly competitive in recent years.

"Chinese brands are generally more affordable than Japanese brands, for example, while also delivering strong performance," he said. "Some models offer excellent value considering their energy efficiency and technical features."

Industry representatives believe the momentum could continue as climate change drives greater demand for cooling products across Europe. Marti said he hopes Chinese manufacturers will further strengthen their presence in Spain by expanding technical support and after-sales services.

"We hope Chinese brands will provide more technical training, and participate in trade fairs where installers can become more familiar with their products," he said.