A prolonged heatwave holds a steady grip over Europe, pushing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in several countries, breaking national records, and placing millions of people under extreme heat warnings.

According to AFP, more than 190 million Europeans are expected to experience temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius, while around 381 million are forecast to see temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Scientists say Europe, the world's fastest-warming continent, is experiencing increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves as the climate warms.

The scorching temperatures are exposing more than a public health emergency. They are also revealing a challenge embedded in Europe's built environment – much of the continent's housing was designed for a cooler climate, where air conditioning has long been considered unnecessary rather than essential.

According to the International Energy Agency, only about 20% of European households have air conditioning. Many apartments and historic buildings cannot easily accommodate conventional split air conditioners because installation often requires drilling through exterior walls, while preservation rules, high labor costs, and long waiting times further complicate installation. Reuters reported that in some European countries, installation alone can cost more than 1,000 euros.

Those constraints have created an opportunity for cooling technologies that require fewer modifications to buildings.

Among the products drawing attention are portable split air conditioners, which combine the cooling performance of conventional split systems with easier installation. Unlike traditional units, they require little or no permanent alteration to buildings, making them more suitable for older apartments and historic homes.

The growing demand has benefited manufacturers in Asia. Reuters reported that Samsung Electronics recorded double-digit growth in air conditioner sales in Italy, Spain, and France during the first half of the year. LG Electronics said production lines at one of its South Korean facilities have been operating at full capacity since April, while Japan's Mitsubishi Electric also reported strong sales in France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Chinese manufacturers have also seen rising demand, particularly for products designed to overcome Europe's installation challenges. Reuters reported that Midea's PortaSplit portable split air conditioner sold out through some sales channels after a late-May heatwave. The company said sales through German e-commerce platforms increased by about 37% year on year in May, while shipments to Spain and France climbed by 108%.

Chinese financial news outlet Yicai reported that manufacturers, including Midea and Gree, attributed the growing popularity of portable air conditioners to Western Europe's high installation costs, long waiting times, and older housing stock. Those factors have made portable systems a more practical option for many households during this summer's heatwave.

The trend is reflected in trade data. According to Yicai, China's exports of portable air conditioners to Western Europe surged by more than 70% year on year in the first five months of 2026, while exports of electric fans also rose across major European markets.

While the current heatwave has fueled demand for cooling products, it has also underscored a broader challenge – as hotter summers become more frequent, technologies that are compatible with Europe's older housing stock and infrastructure are becoming increasingly important.