BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- As Europe sweltered through record-breaking heat this summer, Chinese-made air conditioners experienced unprecedented demand, leveraging competitive pricing, reliable quality and cutting-edge technological innovations to make inroads into what was once an underexplored market.
The summer of 2025 saw exceptional heat waves across Europe, with Spain recording extreme temperatures as high as 46 degrees Celsius, which shattered records dating back to 1965. France, meanwhile, issued orange alerts for 88 percent of provinces nationwide for the first time in its history.
Against this backdrop, the value of China's air conditioner exports to countries in the European Union climbed to 3.76 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of the year -- up 43.2 percent year on year and a new record for the period, according to China's General Administration of Customs.
With air conditioners evolving from luxury products to household necessities, Chinese manufacturers are expanding their footprint in the European market with their ability to combine competitive pricing with reliable performance, said Raul Rodriguez, managing director of FEGiCAT, which is one of Spain's leading federations representing air conditioning installers.
RIGHT MATCH FOR DEMAND
Europe has not traditionally been viewed as a hot region, and as a result, demand for air conditioning has historically been low. However, as temperatures continue to climb, a growing number of European households are seeking cooling solutions -- yet they encounter several barriers along the way.
With expansive architectural heritage, the region has scores of protected historic buildings, including residential buildings that must comply with strict regulations on the installation of fixed air conditioners. And on top of that, installation costs in Europe are much higher than in other parts of the world.
Responding to the surging demand, Chinese companies are demonstrating distinct advantages. Spanish monthly El Llobregat noted that Chinese air conditioners are easily installed, making them well-suited to Spain's numerous rental properties and historic buildings.
Chinese manufacturers such as Midea and Hisense have developed innovative portable air conditioners. These units do not require fixed installation and can be moved easily, which allows European households to avoid high installation costs and regulatory restrictions.
PortaSplit, Midea's latest model tailored to the European market, has gained significant popularity in countries such as Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, according to Zhu Zhou, director of the company's air conditioning division in Europe.
"The entire installation process is very simple and can be done by hand. Moreover, the unit has both portability and excellent cooling efficiency," Zhu said.
Industry analysts also pointed to multiple other factors behind the surge. Long Fei, an analyst at ChinaIOL, a data and consulting service provider specializing in the cooling equipment sector, said that as Europe has accelerated its transition to environmentally friendly refrigerants in recent years, an increasing number of existing air conditioning units urgently require updating, thus unlocking substantial market demand.
Combined with economic pressures, European demand for high-performance, cost-effective products has surged dramatically, Long said. "These are all opportunities for Chinese companies."
Despite the opportunities created by this summer's extreme heat, analysts noted that challenges remain. However, Chinese air conditioner manufacturers have the potential to transform these obstacles into long-term competitive advantages.
The European market, known for its rigorous standards and high entry barriers, is driving Chinese manufacturers to increase their investment in green, intelligent transformation to deliver cutting-edge products that exceed European benchmarks.
"Europe has continued to roll out new regulatory measures on carbon emissions, eco-design and microplastic control, setting higher standards for the green and low-carbon features of products," said Xu Dongsheng, vice chairman of the China Household Electrical Appliances Association.
In response to these stricter regulations, Chinese manufacturers have acted swiftly, achieving technological breakthroughs in eco-friendly refrigerants, energy-saving algorithms and other key areas while providing the European market with cutting-edge products in a timely manner, Xu added.
VAST POTENTIAL AHEAD
Multiple industry projections indicate that this summer's surge marks just the opening chapter of Chinese air conditioners' European expansion. A report from the International Energy Agency, for example, forecasts that the number of air conditioning units in the European Union will reach 275 million by 2050 -- more than double the 2019 figure.
As the world's largest air conditioner manufacturing hub, China is well-positioned to meet Europe's growing demand. According to data from ChinaIOL, global air conditioning production capacity has expanded by 140 million units over the past decade, with China contributing approximately 80 percent of this total increase.
To meet this burgeoning demand, Chinese manufacturers are adopting localization as a key strategy to adapt to European market conditions, create local jobs and add impetus to local industry innovation.
A prime example of this strategy in action is Midea's design center in Milan, Italy, which features a localized staff tasked with improving product design. In addition to its portable air conditioners, the center has also developed cutting-edge cooling equipment such as blade-free smart fans, which are gaining traction among local consumers.
"For leading companies in China's home appliance industry, it is imperative to shift from 'Made in China' to 'Created by China,' and to advance their brand localization in Europe," said Wang Hongji, a researcher at market research agency GfK. Enditem
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