Core Insights - The article discusses the significant increase in air conditioning sales in Northeast China due to unprecedented high temperatures, highlighting the disparity in air conditioning availability across different regions of China [4][6][8]. Group 1: Air Conditioning Market Dynamics - During the "618" shopping festival, the air conditioning market saw total sales reach 48.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 16.3%, with sales volume hitting 15.93 million units, up 17.5% [8]. - In Northeast China, sales figures were particularly striking, with Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces experiencing sales growth of 817.68% and 128.76% respectively during specific weeks [9]. - The demand for air conditioning has led to a surge in installation services, with some companies reporting a 300% increase in installation orders year-on-year [12]. Group 2: Regional Disparities in Air Conditioning Ownership - The average air conditioning ownership in China is approximately 1.5 units per household, with urban households averaging 171.7 units per hundred households, while rural areas average 105.7 units [18]. - The article notes that the highest air conditioning ownership is found in provinces like Guangdong and Zhejiang, while regions like Qinghai and Tibet have significantly lower ownership rates [15][18]. Group 3: Global Air Conditioning Trends - Globally, China's household air conditioning penetration rate is around 60%, while in the U.S. and Japan, it reaches 90%. In contrast, European countries have much lower rates, with the UK and Germany below 5% [23][27]. - The article highlights that the rising temperatures in Europe due to climate change are pushing more households to consider air conditioning, leading to a significant increase in imports from China [29]. Group 4: Power Supply and Infrastructure - The article emphasizes the strain on China's power grid, with a record peak load of 1.465 billion kilowatts, largely driven by air conditioning usage [31]. - China's advanced power grid infrastructure allows for efficient electricity distribution, which has been crucial in meeting the rising demand for air conditioning without widespread blackouts [32][33].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant disparity in air conditioning (AC) availability across different regions in China, particularly highlighting the recent surge in demand for AC units in Northeast China due to unprecedented high temperatures. It emphasizes the role of China's robust power system in supporting this demand and the broader implications for infrastructure and consumer behavior in a warming climate [1][8][50]. Group 1: Air Conditioning Availability and Demand - Northeast China has a notably low average air conditioning ownership, with only 56.8 units per 100 households, compared to 218.8 units in Zhejiang [3][20]. - The recent heatwave has led to a dramatic increase in AC sales, with sales in Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces seeing year-on-year growth of 817.68% and 788.4%, respectively [11][10]. - The overall AC market during the "618" shopping festival reached sales of 485 billion yuan, with a 16.3% year-on-year increase [10][12]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior and Market Trends - Consumers are increasingly seeking high-efficiency and smart features in air conditioning units, with a significant rise in demand for models priced above 4,500 yuan [13][29]. - The installation of AC units has surged, with installation orders increasing by 300% year-on-year, highlighting the challenges faced by installation teams [16][18]. - The article notes that the average household in China now owns approximately 1.5 AC units, with total AC ownership exceeding 700 million units nationwide [25][26]. Group 3: Global Perspective on Air Conditioning - In comparison to China, the air conditioning penetration in the U.S. and Japan is around 90%, while in Europe, it remains low, with countries like the UK and Germany having less than 5% penetration [31][36]. - The article points out that despite rising temperatures in Europe, the high costs of purchasing and installing AC units, along with expensive electricity, hinder widespread adoption [36][37]. - China's air conditioning exports to Europe have increased by 31.5% in early 2025, indicating a growing demand for AC units in response to climate change [39][41]. Group 4: Power Supply and Infrastructure - The article highlights that China's power grid has successfully managed record electricity demands, with a peak load of 14.65 billion kilowatts, primarily driven by air conditioning usage [44][45]. - The efficiency of China's ultra-high voltage power transmission system allows for rapid electricity distribution across vast distances, supporting the increased demand for cooling [48][49]. - The article concludes that the ability to provide cooling in the face of climate change is a testament to national strength, social collaboration, and technological innovation [51][52].