As summer temperatures in Europe soar above 40 degrees Celsius, many residents are looking for new ways to stay cool. In a region where very few homes have air conditioning, a portable split air conditioner made by the Chinese company Midea has become one of the most popular products this summer.
Steven Scholtysek, a 36-year-old engineer in Germany, recently moved into an attic apartment. These top-floor flats are famous for getting extremely hot. During the hottest June on record in Western Europe, Scholtysek found it impossible to live a normal life. His solution was a new appliance called the PortaSplit, which he described as a "game changer."
The PortaSplit is designed specifically for European homes. It features a lightweight outdoor unit that users can hang outside their windows themselves without needing professional installation. Online, a community of users has grown, with people sharing reviews and tips about the device on social media.
Other Chinese companies are also seeing huge sales increases. TCL reported a 300 percent jump in air conditioner sales in France, while Gree, one of the world's largest manufacturers, said that more people are buying air conditioners for the first time because of longer and more frequent heatwaves.
Historically, European consumers associated "Made in China" labels with cheap or low-quality goods. However, buyers of the PortaSplit say they are surprised by its modern design and high quality, which compares well to European products.
Despite the popularity, the widespread use of air conditioners raises environmental concerns. Air conditioning consumes about 7 percent of the world's electricity and produces 2.7 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. Some politicians and environmental advocates in Europe worry that air conditioners will make city streets even hotter by expelling warm air outside.
The World Health Organization recommends a balanced approach. It advises that while air conditioning is not a sustainable long-term solution to climate change, it is still necessary to protect vulnerable people during dangerous heatwaves.