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The temperature in countries like France, Germany, Spain and Italy has gone above 40 degrees Celsius. France’s national temperature index reached 29.8 degrees Celsius, the highest figure since measurements began in 1947. On June 28, the temperature in Germany’s eastern city of Köchen was recorded at 41.7 degrees Celsius, while in Palluia in western France the temperature reached 43.8 degrees Celsius. But there is a big problem amidst this heat that only 20% of the houses in Europe have air conditioners. Despite this, Europe is becoming the world’s largest emerging AC market. After all, why is AC so rare in Europe and yet how is it becoming the market king?

Why is there so much shortage of AC in European homes?

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there are 5 major reasons for this shortage:

1. Earlier it was not so hot

In America and Japan, about 90% of people’s homes have AC. That means 80% of the population of Europe does not have AC and they are living without AC in this scorching heat. Summers in Northern Europe used to be very mild. Vincent Vigui, a researcher at the Center for International Research on Environment and Development in Paris, said, ‘Until now, in the climate of the 20th century and earlier, there was no need for air conditioning in most parts of France, because both winter and summer were mild. This is changing with climate change. Earlier the summer season was limited only to July-August and the average temperature remained below 27 degrees Celsius, so there was no need for AC.

2. Houses were not built to extract heat

Old houses in Europe were built keeping long winters in mind. Thick walls, small windows and a design that keeps the heat inside. Many buildings are very old and it is not easy to install AC in them. Apart from this, there are strict rules on historical and heritage buildings. Installation of external AC unit is not allowed in these. Thierry, an electrician from France, said that he is getting so much demand for ’emergency’ AC installation that he is worried.

3. Very high electricity prices

Electricity prices in Europe are about two and a half times higher than in America. In 2024, the price of industrial electricity in the EU was about two and a half times that of the US. The cost of running an AC is out of the reach of many European families.

4. Installation costs and permit hassles

The cost of installing AC in Europe is very high. It is more than 1,000 euros (about Rs 90,000). In many places, to install AC, permission from the landlord is required and many strict rules have to be followed.

5. Environmental concerns and political debate

There is a big political and social debate going on in Europe regarding AC. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), cooling will account for 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Many people fear that large-scale use of ACs will deepen the climate crisis.

AC penetration in Europe varies greatly from country to country. According to IEA:

• More than 50% of homes in Italy have AC, which has almost doubled since 2013.
• About 40% of the houses in Spain have AC.
• In France, 28% of houses and only 13% of apartments have AC.
• Only 6% of the houses in Germany have AC.
• In Britain only 4% of the houses have AC.

According to IEA, the number of ACs has increased by almost half in the last 10 years. Annual sales are now 30% more than 5 years ago.

How much did sales jump this year?

This heatwave of 2026 has taken AC sales to record levels:

• Carrefour (large French retail chain): By 6:30 pm on June 29, 2026, 30,000 AC units had been sold. This is ‘a thousand times more than a normal day’. Carrefour said that last week the sales of ACs, fans and coolers increased by 1,000% compared to normal.
• Amazon: Last week, AC sales almost doubled compared to the same period in 2025. Sales increased after June 19.
• JD.com (Joybuy- European online platform): Between June 19-25, AC sales increased almost 40 times compared to the first week of June. Sales of media portasplit increased by approximately 42 times, sales of floor fans increased by more than 80 times and sales of neck fans increased by more than 120 times.
• Media (Chinese company): Sales of portable split ACs designed for Europe are expected to reach 2 lakh units in 2026, doubling from 2025. This model has been completely sold out in Germany, France, Netherlands and Britain. Sales through the media’s German e-commerce channels rose 37% year-on-year in May, while those in Spain and France increased 108%.
• Samsung (South Korea): Europe recorded double-digit sales growth in the first half. This includes major markets like Italy, Spain and France. A company spokesperson said, ‘With temperatures expected to rise further from June, we expect continued demand during the peak cooling season.’
• TCL: AC sales in Western Europe grew 27% year-on-year in Q2. In Northern Europe and France the increase was 300%, while in Spain there was a 100% increase.
• China’s exports: Domestic AC exports from China to Western European countries increased by 9.7% in the first five months of 2026. The growth in mobile AC category was more than 70%. Many Chinese companies said that consumers in Western European markets are standing in queues to buy ACs. Stock is running out in offline stores and the demand is much higher.
• Xiaomi: Foot traffic at the Paris store increased 84% and total sales increased 79% in the week of June 21-28.
• Alibaba (Spain, Sweden, Belgium): AC orders in Spain almost doubled in June, while wholesale orders for fans increased by 378% in Sweden and 114% in Belgium.
• Speedle (Chinese platform): In June, tremendous growth was seen in the European market in cooling categories like mobile AC, ice maker, electric fan. In Britain, sales of ice makers increased 10 times, while in Germany and France, fans and cooling gadgets are being sold three times more every week. There was a year-on-year increase of 4.6 times in Germany and 3 times in France.

How many ACs will there be in Europe by 2050?

According to IEA, the number of AC units in the EU could double from 2019 to 275 million by 2050. According to another IEA estimate, about 130 million AC units will be installed in the EU by 2030 and this number may quadruple by 2050.

What is the debate in Europe about AC?

In Europe the AC debate is most heated in France. According to a report in NYMag, this heatwave has fueled ‘a fierce political debate’:

• Right wing (Marine Le Pen): Are advocating installation of ACs with subsidy on a large scale. They argue that this is necessary for the safety of the elderly and weaker sections.
• Left or Green Party: Traditionally, people are against AC, but now the Green Party has also admitted that ‘now air conditioning has become necessary to some extent.’

According to experts, the debate in France has come down to whether people are ‘for’ or ‘against’ ACs, while the real question is how to make buildings better suited to the hot climate. At the same time, the European Union has refused to jump into this debate.

So will AC alone be able to keep the European cool?

World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned, ‘Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world, which is warming at twice the rate of the global average.’ He told that currently 15 crore people are living in extreme heat in Europe and since June 21, more than 1,300 deaths have occurred across Europe. There have been at least 1,000 deaths in France alone.

Google Trends data shows that in June 2026, search interest for air conditioners reached a record high in Britain, Germany and France. The search index in Britain increased from 10 in 2022 to 100 in 2026, in Germany from 16 to 100 and in France from 18 to 100.

AC with Ceiling Fan: During the summer season, most people reduce the temperature of the air conditioner significantly to cool the house quickly. But the huge electricity bill at the end of the month often causes trouble. Interestingly, an easy solution to this problem may already be present in your room: a ceiling fan. Many people turn off the fan as soon as they turn on the AC, whereas running both together is considered a very effective way to increase cooling and save electricity.

The fan makes you feel cool, not the room.

Often people think that the fan reduces the temperature of the room but in reality it is not so. The main function of the fan is to transport air to your body. When air hits the skin, sweat dries quickly and body heat escapes. For this reason, a person may feel colder than the actual temperature by about 2 degrees Celsius.

This difference may sound small but it proves to be very important for comfortable sleep and better cooling on hot nights.

Why does the pressure on AC reduce?

The nature of cold air is to move downwards. This is the reason that sometimes the lower part of the room feels colder while the upper part remains relatively warm. In such a situation, the AC has to work harder to cool the entire room evenly.

When the ceiling fan runs, it mixes the cold and hot air present in the room and spreads it evenly. Due to this, uniform coolness is felt in the entire room and the thermostat of the AC quickly reaches the set temperature. As a result the compressor runs for less time and power consumption is reduced.

The real mathematics of electricity saving

Since the fan makes you feel extra cool, the temperature of the AC can be increased by a few degrees. For example, if you were earlier running the AC at 22°C, you can feel almost the same comfort by setting it at 24°C or 25°C with the fan on.

A normal AC can consume around 1000 to 2000 watts of power whereas most ceiling fans only consume between 15 to 70 watts. According to energy experts, every 1 degree increase in AC temperature can reduce cooling expenses by about 4 to 8 percent. Therefore, increasing the temperature by a few degrees can cause a significant difference in the electricity bill.

Understand the benefits according to an Indian family

Suppose your AC runs for 8 hours daily in summer and consumes an average of 1500 watts of electricity. According to this, about 12 units of electricity will be consumed per day. If the electricity rate is considered to be around Rs 8 per unit, then around Rs 96 will be spent daily on AC alone. This amount can reach approximately Rs 2880 in the entire month.

Now if you increase the temperature of AC by 3 degrees and also run a 50 watt ceiling fan, then the additional cost of the fan will be very less. On the other hand, power consumption of AC can be reduced by 12 to 24 percent.

In such a situation, it is possible to save hundreds of rupees by the end of the month. During a typical Indian summer of four months, this saving can be Rs 1200 to Rs 2400 or even more.

BLDC fan can save more

Nowadays, ceiling fans with BLDC technology available in the market consume very less electricity. These fans consume about 15 to 28 watts of power even at full speed, which is much less than the old fans. If you are thinking of buying a new fan, then the BLDC model can help in reducing your electricity bill further.

Pay special attention to these things

The fan only makes people feel cool, so if there is no one in the room, it should be switched off. A fan running in an empty room only consumes electricity and may also generate some heat due to the motor.

Apart from this, also ensure that in summer the ceiling fan is rotating in the right direction so that the air comes downwards and provides better cooling. Besides, regular cleaning of AC filter and fan blades is also necessary. When dust accumulates, both the devices have to work harder, which increases power consumption.

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AC Using Tips: As soon as March starts, the heat has started showing its effect and AC has also started running in many houses. But often people turn on the AC without getting it serviced and then complain that they are not getting the same cooling as before. AC also needs a little care before the season starts. If servicing is not done on time, cooling may be reduced.

And the electricity bill can increase rapidly. By paying a little attention in the beginning, better cooling is provided throughout the season and the machine also runs problem-free for a long time. Therefore, before getting AC service done, some important things must be checked. Otherwise, even a small problem can become a big expense later. Know these tips.

Gas pressure and leakage must be checked

The entire cooling process of AC depends on its gas. Which people call AC gas in common language. This gas changes hot air into cold air. If the gas becomes less then the AC has to work harder. But still proper cooling is not available. Many times people do not understand that the problem is of gas.

Therefore, during servicing, get the gas pressure checked by the technician. Also, there is no leakage anywhere in the pipe or connection. Find out this also. If leakage remains then the gas will be reduced again and money will have to be spent again and again. When the pressure is right, AC gives better cooling with less power.

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Cleaning drain pipe and water outlet

AC doesn’t just cool the air. It also reduces the humidity of the room. During this, water drops are formed. Which come out of the drain pipe. But when dust or moss accumulates in this pipe, water is not able to come out. In such a situation, water starts dripping from the indoor unit. Which causes stains and dampness on the walls.

Many times people consider it a major defect. Whereas the only reason is dirty pipes. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly clean the drain pipe and water outlet during servicing. With this, water will come out easily and the AC will work properly without any leakage.

Deep cleaning of outdoor unit

The outdoor unit of AC is installed outside. Therefore, dust and garbage quickly accumulates on it. Gradually this dirt severely affects the airflow on the fan and coil. This has a direct impact on cooling. AC takes more time and electricity consumption also increases.

Many people get only the indoor units cleaned and ignore the outdoor ones. Which is a big mistake. During servicing, deep cleaning of the outdoor unit must be done. When the coil remains clean and the air flow is correct. So the AC expels hot air quickly and the room cools down quickly.

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3 Star AC Vs 5 Star AC: As soon as the summer season starts, most people start planning to buy an air conditioner for their home. If you are also thinking of buying a new AC, then often a question arises whether to buy 3 star AC or 5 star AC? When seen in the shop, 5 star model looks a bit expensive whereas 3 star AC looks cheaper in terms of price.

But the right decision cannot be taken just by looking at the price. The real difference is how much electricity the AC consumes and how many hours you run it every day. This thing has a big impact on your electricity bill in the long run. Therefore, before purchasing it is important to understand the difference between these two.

What does star rating mean in AC?

The star rating of air conditioners in India is decided by the government organization Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). This rating tells how efficiently an AC uses electricity. The simple rule is that higher the star rating, lower the power consumption. That is, if 3 star and 5 star AC are operated for equal time then 5 star AC will consume less electricity while giving equal cooling. This is the reason why its effect is clearly visible on the electricity bill in the long run.

What is the difference in price of 3 star and 5 star AC?

Generally, the price of 5 star AC is higher than 3 star model. A difference of about Rs 3000 to Rs 7000 can be seen between the two. Depending on the brand, tonnage and features, this difference may be more or less. Many people buy 3 star AC initially after seeing the low price. However, while buying an AC, it is important to keep in mind not only the initial price but also the running cost.

Power consumption and real savings

If we take the example of 1.5 ton AC, then a 3 star AC usually consumes about 1.1 to 1.2 units of electricity per hour. Whereas 5 star AC consumes about 0.8 to 0.9 units of electricity per hour. If you run the AC for about 8 hours a day, there can be a significant difference in power consumption between the two during the entire summer season. 5 Star AC can save hundreds of units of electricity in a season, which can save thousands of rupees in a few years.

After all, which AC would be better to buy?

If the AC in your house runs for several hours every day, especially during summers, then buying a 5 star AC can be a wiser decision. Initially its cost is high but due to less electricity consumption, this additional cost is gradually recovered. At the same time, for those who have to use AC only occasionally or for a short period of time, 3 star AC can also prove to be a good and budget-friendly option.

Keep these things in mind while buying AC

Star rating alone is not everything while buying an AC. The size of the room, tonnage capacity of the AC and inverter technology are equally important. If the right ton AC is not taken as per the room, then excess electricity may be wasted. For example, 1 ton AC is considered appropriate for a small room, 1.5 ton for a medium-sized room and 2 ton for a large room.

Inverter ACs are generally more energy-efficient and maintain a stable room temperature. Apart from this, while buying an AC, it is also important to pay attention to things like installation charge, servicing cost and warranty.

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The effects of heat have started becoming visible across the country since the month of March. The temperature is increasing rapidly in many cities and people have gradually started using fans and ACs. However, when the AC is switched on directly after being switched off for a long time. So sometimes cooling is less or strange sounds start coming from the machine. To avoid this problem, it is better to get the AC serviced at the beginning of the season.

Due to timely service, cooling of the machine remains better and electricity consumption is also controlled. If attention is paid to some important things during service, then the AC works properly for a longer time and the risk of sudden damage also reduces.

Get the refrigerant level checked

The cooling of AC largely depends on the refrigerant. Which is generally called AC gas. This gas absorbs the hot air of the room and converts it into cold air. If the gas level in the AC decreases then the cooling becomes weak and the machine has to work harder.

This can also have a direct impact on the electricity bill. Therefore, whenever you get the AC serviced, get the gas pressure checked by the technician. Besides this, there is no leakage anywhere in the pipe or connection. It is important to see this also. If leakage is found then it should be repaired first. Only after that it is better to fill the gas.

It is important to check the drain pipe and water outlet.

AC reduces the humidity of the room and in this process water droplets are formed. This water comes out through the drain pipe. If this pipe gets clogged due to dust or dirt, water cannot come out and starts dripping from the indoor unit. Sometimes this also increases the moisture in the wall or room.

Therefore, during AC servicing, it is important to thoroughly check the drain pipe and water outlet. Get the pipe cleaned by a technician and also check whether the pipe is bent or leaking. Due to this, the AC continues to work properly without any problem for a long time.

Take care of cleaning and ventilation of the outdoor unit

The outdoor unit of AC is installed outside the house, hence dust, soil and garbage quickly accumulates on it. If there is too much dirt around the unit and airflow stops, the cooling of the AC may be affected. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly clean the outdoor unit at the time of service.

Along with this, also keep in mind that there should be space for air circulation around the unit. With proper ventilation, the AC is able to expel hot air faster and the cooling is better.

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Air Conditioner: With the arrival of March the temperature has started rising. From this, it can be estimated how much havoc the heat will wreak in the coming months this year. To get relief from this and to spend a few hours in peace, lines have already started forming at air conditioner shops.

Meanwhile, companies like Daikin, Voltas, Blue Star, LG, Haier and Mitsubishi have announced increase in the prices of ACs. Companies have taken this decision to increase the prices of their models due to increasing expenses on raw materials, weakening rupee and new energy-efficiency norms and increase in freight costs.

Daikin’s price will increase by 12 percent

Daikin India has decided to increase prices by up to 12 percent from April. However, this increase in prices will depend on model-to-model. The company’s chairman and managing director Kanwaljit Java told PTI, “New energy norms have come, due to which the products have become more efficient. Also, prices of materials like copper have increased, the US dollar (against the Indian rupee) is also at an all-time high. Even at the global level, there are a lot of uncertainties amid huge turmoil and freight costs have also increased, making import (of components) expensive, so there is no other option.

Why are AC prices going to increase?

• The prices of copper, aluminum and steel have increased significantly at the global level. Due to this, the production cost has also increased, the effect of which is visible on the price.
• The manufacturing costs of companies have also increased due to the adoption of new energy labeling rules and efficiency norms implemented by the government. Actually, the standards of ISEER (Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) have been increased by the government. This means that now companies will have to provide more cooling with less power. For this, companies are having to replace old technology and old compressors with new and advanced technology. In such a situation, expenses are also increasing.
• Imports are becoming expensive for Indian companies due to the increasing value of the dollar against the Indian currency. Now if imports become expensive, the manufactured product will also automatically become expensive.
• Amidst the global war situation, there has been disruption in the supply chain and expenditure on logistics has increased. In such a situation, companies are increasing prices to bear the additional burden.

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AC Discount Offer: The temperature has started increasing gradually in North India and in the coming days the extreme heat can increase the problems of the people. In such a situation, if you are thinking of buying a new air conditioner, then this may be the right time. During the off-season sale, many big companies are offering huge discounts on 1.5 ton split AC. Especially in the sale going on on Flipkart, price reduction of more than 50% is being seen. Currently, models from popular brands like Voltas, LG, Daikin, Lloyd and Godrej are available at low prices.

Big cut on Voltas AC

Voltas’s 1.5 Ton Split AC, whose original price was more than Rs 70,000, is now available at almost half the price. This brand has already been the choice of customers due to its strong cooling and durable performance. Off-season offer is making it even more attractive.

Daikin AC

Daikin’s 1.5 ton model has also become affordable with discounts. This brand is known for low power consumption and quiet operation. Customers can also make additional savings through bank offers and exchange deals.

Biggest discount on LG AC

More than 50% discount is being given on LG’s 1.5 Ton Split AC. This model, famous for advanced features, better energy efficiency and long lifespan, can be purchased at a very low price at present.

Godrej and Lloyd also ahead in the race

Attractive discounts are also available on Godrej ACs, and the benefit of additional discounts is also being given on some bank cards. Whereas Lloyd’s 1.5 ton model has emerged as one of the most affordable options in this sale.

Why is it beneficial to buy in off-season?

Generally, due to increase in demand for AC during peak summer season, prices also go up. But due to low demand in off-season, companies give huge discounts to attract customers. In such a situation, purchasing now may be a wise step.

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1 Ton AC: As soon as the heat increases, the first thought that comes to mind is to buy an AC. But along with cold air, the electricity bill can also increase rapidly. Therefore, before buying a 1 ton AC, it is important to understand how much electricity it consumes every hour and how much impact it will have on the monthly bill.

What does 1 ton AC mean?

First of all, know that 1 ton does not mean weight but cooling capacity. 1 ton AC gives approximately 12000 BTU per hour of cooling which is considered sufficient for a small room (approximately 100-120 square feet). But its power consumption depends on many things like star rating, inverter or non-inverter technology and room temperature.

How many units consumed per hour?

Generally, a 1 ton non-inverter AC can consume about 0.9 to 1.2 units (kWh) of electricity per hour. That means, if you run it for 8 hours daily, then about 8 to 9 units of electricity can be consumed in a day.

Whereas the consumption of 5-star inverter AC is less. This can be limited to an average of 0.6 to 0.8 units per hour as the inverter technology adjusts the speed of the compressor as per the need.

How does the monthly bill increase?

Suppose your AC runs for 8 hours daily and consumes an average of 1 unit per hour. So approximately 240 units of electricity can be spent in a month. If the rate per unit is Rs 7, then the bill for AC alone can be around Rs 1680. In this the consumption of other home appliances is added separately.

What factors change expenses?

Power consumption does not depend only on tonnage. If the room is in sunlight, doors and windows are open or the temperature is set at 18 degrees, then the AC will work harder and consume more electricity. Consumption can be reduced by setting the temperature at 24-26 degrees.

What to look for before buying?

Don’t just look at the price while buying an AC. Be sure to check the star rating, inverter technology and annual energy consumption. The 5-star inverter model, which may seem expensive initially, can reduce electricity bills in the long run.

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