Summer heatwaves have been getting more frequent and more intense across Europe, creating a massive demand for air conditioning units as people try to cope with the blistering heat. Chinese company Midea has one of the most popular portable air conditioning units, the PortaSplit.Policies and forecasts are predicting more extreme heat to come, and people are taking action for the first time to install home cooling methods.
Steven Scholtysek said moving into an attic apartment forced the move to the purchase of an air conditioning unit, as the heat was almost unbearable.
The PortaSplit has made some positive changes to the living conditions of Scholtysek and perhaps some more people in Europe. The unit of the portable air conditioning system is attractive to many people in Europe because it can be installed without the need for a more permanent change to the building, and it is a split system.
The product is gaining more popularity in Europe, and as a result, some European markets are selling out. Some units even have a higher resale price as opposed to the retail price.
Thinking of ways to bridge the gap in cooling solutions, Denis Yurchak decided to purchase the product by doing extensive research into the device. He gained enough self-confidence in his purchase thanks to a very active online community, selling and giving installation tips and performance tips.
Wider Europe has seen a noticeable increase in demand for Chinese-made cooling equipment. Reports show companies such as TCL and Gree are seeing much higher demand. Reports note buyers are purchasing air conditioning units for the first time due to the changes in the climate and the increased intensity of heat waves.
Greater use of air conditioning units means greater energy consumption and greater impact on the air. Electricity and carbon emissions are increasingly associated with air conditioning. In turn, environmental groups advocate for the use of more sustainable cooling as the need arises.
Public authorities have started to balance the need for sustainable cooling against the need for cooling to protect the public from the adverse impact of extreme high ambient temperatures. Following extreme high temperatures in France, it was announced that hundreds of schools would be closed. Because of the need to balance sustainability and cooling, France’s electricity provider has set aside €80 million to improve school and community cooling systems.
In line with the need for cooling to protect the vulnerable, the World Health Organisation has stated that, while replacing long-term climate control solutions with air conditioning is not advisable, the use of air conditioning is justified in the case of extreme heat.
The increase in demand from Chinese manufacturers is indicative of the changing view of the quality of Chinese-made goods. The changing perception of lower-cost goods with poor quality to goods with improved design and technology is allowing Chinese companies to expand further into the European market.
