Europe is experiencing a record-breaking heat wave that is driving a sharp increase in demand for air conditioners. As temperatures continue to rise, more households and businesses are looking for ways to stay cool. Asian manufacturers, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Midea and Mitsubishi Electric, have reported strong sales across several European markets. The growing demand reflects changing weather patterns and a greater need for cooling solutions across the region.

Europe has traditionally had lower air conditioner ownership than many parts of Asia. Air conditioning is common in homes, offices and public transport across countries like South Korea, China and Japan, but much less common across Europe. As extreme heat becomes more frequent, consumers are increasingly investing in both portable and fixed cooling units. Samsung said sales in key markets, including Italy, Spain and France, recorded double-digit growth during the first half of the year. LG also reported that production lines at one of its South Korean factories have been running at full capacity since April to meet demand.

Europe has also become an important market for China’s Midea. The company said demand for its PortaSplit air conditioner increased sharply after a heat wave in late May. Some sales channels even sold out, and second-hand units were reportedly selling for more than new ones. Midea also reported that online sales in Germany rose by about 37 percent in May compared with a year earlier. Shipments to Spain and France more than doubled during the same period. However, installing fixed air conditioners can be expensive because many older European buildings require complex installation work.

Europe continues to face growing challenges from rising temperatures. According to the International Energy Agency, only about 20 percent of homes in Europe have air conditioning. The latest heat wave has highlighted the region’s vulnerability, especially among older people and those with chronic illnesses. Businesses are also taking steps to protect workers by providing cooling equipment and protective gear. Mitsubishi Electric said demand remains strong in France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom. As Europe continues to warm, manufacturers expect demand for cooling systems to remain high throughout the summer.