Europe’s rapidly warming climate is opening a new growth market for Chinese air conditioner makers. At the same time, this demand helps offset lost sales in the U.S. amid trade disputes.
According to Bloomberg, China’s exports of air conditioners to the EU and UK rose 16% in the first seven months of this year. That means 7.9 million units, compared with the same period in 2024. Data comes from Chinese customs. Local media reported earlier this summer that Gree Electric Appliances Inc. and Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. have seen sales in Europe skyrocket.
This summer, Europe endured successive heat waves. The UK’s Met Office said the season was “almost certainly” the hottest on record. Many Europeans once dismissed air conditioning as unnecessary. Some saw it as an American luxury or only a Mediterranean need. Yet rising heat is changing minds. On the world’s fastest-warming continent, cooling on demand is becoming essential.
Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research estimates that only 20% of EU homes currently have air conditioning. However, the figure may climb to 25% by 2030.
Meanwhile, the value of China’s air conditioner exports to the EU hit a record high. In the first half of the year, exports reached $3.76 billion. That marks a 43.2% jump year on year, according to China’s General Administration of Customs.
In response, Chinese companies are moving quickly. They highlight distinct advantages. For example, Spanish monthly El Llobregat noted that Chinese air conditioners are easy to install. This makes them ideal for Spain’s many rental properties and historic buildings.
Moreover, firms such as Midea and Hisense are innovating. They have launched portable air conditioners that require no fixed installation. These units reduce costs and bypass regulatory hurdles.
Midea’s new PortaSplit, designed for Europe, is gaining traction. It has become popular in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, according to Zhu Zhou, director of Midea’s air conditioning division in Europe.
Still, the European market is tough. It enforces strict standards and high entry barriers. Therefore, Chinese firms are boosting investment in green and intelligent transformation. They aim to deliver products that exceed European benchmarks.
“Europe has continued to roll out new regulatory measures on carbon emissions, eco-design, and microplastic control,” said Xu Dongsheng, vice chairman of the China Household Electrical Appliances Association. “These policies set higher standards for green and low-carbon features.”
Chinese manufacturers are adapting fast. They have achieved breakthroughs in eco-friendly refrigerants and energy-saving algorithms. As a result, they now provide the European market with advanced, sustainable products.
Written by Yi Shen, additional reporting by Xinhua and Bloomberg.
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