Steven Scholtysek, a 36-year-old engineer from Hamelin, Germany, bought a Midea PortaSplit air conditioner to cope with the heat in his attic apartment. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
After Western Europe's hottest June on record, temperatures in Germany exceeded 40°C. The Midea PortaSplit, with a lightweight outdoor unit, is compatible with European windows and bypasses strict building regulations. The unit costs around €750 but has been marked up to double or triple on resale sites. A site called MideaFinder tracks availability.
Vienna resident Denis Yurchak, while researching air conditioners, discovered a "cult" around Midea. After posting about his PortaSplit on social media, he receives daily messages. Midea's European sales surged 70%, while TCL Technology reported a 300% increase in France. Gree also confirmed significantly higher demand.
However, air conditioners have drawbacks: they account for 7% of global electricity use and 2.7% of CO2 emissions. The WHO recommends a nuanced approach, noting that AC remains crucial for protecting populations from extreme heat.