Europe’s record-breaking heatwave is driving a sharp rise in demand for air conditioners, giving leading Asian manufacturers a major sales boost as households and businesses rush to cope with soaring temperatures.
Companies including South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, China’s Midea, and Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric have reported strong demand from European markets as the continent experiences one of its hottest summers on record.
Much of Europe traditionally relies on natural ventilation rather than air conditioning. However, increasingly frequent heatwaves linked to climate change are changing consumer habits and pushing more people to invest in cooling systems.
The latest heatwave has brought temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in several countries, disrupted electricity supplies, forced schools to close and raised health concerns, particularly for elderly people and those with chronic illnesses.
Samsung Electronics said demand is likely to remain strong throughout the summer.
“With temperatures expected to rise further from June onward, we expect sustained demand through the peak cooling season,” the company said.
Samsung added that key European markets, including Italy, Spain and France, delivered double-digit sales growth during the first half of 2026.
LG Electronics also reported exceptionally strong demand.
The company said production lines at one of its South Korean manufacturing facilities have operated at full capacity since April to meet rising global demand.
LG attributed the increase to “seasonal summer demand across Korea and global markets.”
Asian Manufacturers Benefit From Europe’s Changing Climate
Chinese appliance giant Midea also reported soaring demand for its PortaSplit portable air conditioner.
The company said customer demand became so strong that second-hand units sold for more than brand-new models in some cases.
“A heatwave in the final two weeks of May significantly boosted sales, particularly for the PortaSplit air conditioner, which sold out in some channels,”
According to the company, sales through German online retail platforms rose about 37 percent in May compared with the same period last year.
Shipments to Spain and France increased by 108 percent over the same period.
Midea said installing traditional air conditioning systems in Europe often proves expensive because many older buildings require complex installation work.
The company estimated installation costs can exceed $1,137, making portable air conditioners a more attractive option for many consumers.
According to the International Energy Agency, only about 20 percent of European households own air conditioning systems, far below ownership rates across much of Asia and North America.
Heatwaves Reshape Consumer Behavior
Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric also reported stronger European sales.
“In Europe, sales of air conditioners have been strong, particularly in France, Spain, the UK, and Germany, which were hit by heatwaves,” said the company.
The World Meteorological Organization says Europe is warming more than twice as fast as the global average, increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events.
The changing climate has prompted businesses across Europe to adopt new measures to protect employees from dangerous temperatures. Several companies now provide cooling towels, reusable wrist coolers, insulated containers and UV-protective neck guards for outdoor workers.
Analysts say the latest surge in demand highlights how climate change is reshaping consumer behavior and creating new opportunities for manufacturers that have long specialized in cooling technology.
As Europe faces increasingly hotter summers, air conditioning is shifting from a luxury purchase to an essential household appliance for many families.
