Core Viewpoint - The central air conditioning industry is undergoing an adjustment period due to declining traditional engineering demand, prompting companies like Gree Electric and Midea Group to invest more resources in AI data center cooling and high-performance infrastructure to seek structural growth opportunities [5][6]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Air conditioning still accounts for about 70% of Gree Electric's revenue, with central air conditioning being a core segment. However, the industry faces pressure from a downturn in real estate, weak traditional engineering demand, and intensified price competition [7]. - In 2025, the sales scale of China's central air conditioning industry is projected to be 138.68 billion yuan, with a 7.4% year-on-year decline in the domestic market, while the export market is expected to grow by 12.7%. The growth in exports is significantly driven by ongoing investments in overseas data centers and computing infrastructure [7]. Group 2: Technological Trends - As AI computing power increases, the power density of server cabinets is rising rapidly, revealing limitations in traditional air cooling solutions in terms of efficiency and heat dissipation. Liquid cooling is gradually becoming an important technology route for high-performance data centers [8]. - Liquid cooling is not merely an equipment upgrade but involves comprehensive changes in system architecture, core components, and operational modes. It is seen as a supplementary solution in high-performance scenarios, often coexisting with air cooling solutions, requiring higher system integration and project experience [8]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The data center cooling market is primarily dominated by two types of companies: specialized manufacturers with extensive experience in data center temperature control, such as Vertiv, Ingersoll Rand, and others, and foreign brands like Johnson Controls and Carrier, alongside domestic central air conditioning manufacturers like Gree and Midea [10]. - Domestic central air conditioning companies face significant challenges in the data center market, including the maturity of technology in high-performance scenarios, the ability to deliver complex projects, and the long verification cycles required by leading clients [10]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Overall, AI data center cooling presents a rare structural growth opportunity for the central air conditioning industry, but its scale, pace, and profit model differ significantly from traditional engineering markets. In the short term, data center business serves more as a buffer against the decline of traditional business rather than a decisive replacement [11]. - The ability of companies like Gree and Midea to establish stable engineering capabilities and long-term customer relationships in high-barrier technology paths like liquid cooling will be crucial in determining their position in the computing infrastructure cycle [11].

目前，空调仍占格力电器收入约七成，中央空调是其中的核心板块。但在地产下行、传统工程需求疲软以及价格竞争加剧的影响下，行业整体增长承压。 产业在线数据显示，2025年中国中央空调行业销售规模为1386.8亿元，其中国内市场规模同比下滑7.4%，而出口市场同比增长12.7%。出口增长的重要推 动因素之一，正是海外数据中心和算力基础设施的持续投入。 在此背景下，数据中心被视为中央空调行业少数仍具确定性的需求来源之一。格力、美的均已通过运营商集采、智算中心项目切入这一领域，但目前数据 中心相关业务在其中央空调收入中的占比仍然有限，尚不足以对冲传统业务下滑。 随着AI算力提升，服务器机柜功率密度快速上升，传统风冷方案在能效和散热能力上的局限日益显现，液冷逐步成为高算力数据中心的重要技术路线。 产业在线高级分析师费腾对第一财经记者表示，液冷并非简单的设备升级，而是涉及系统架构、核心组件和运行模式的全面变化。"液冷更多是一种高算 力场景下的补充方案，通常与风冷等方案共存，对系统集成和项目经验要求更高。" 数据中心制冷业务是中央空调行业盘整期的重要增长点，但竞争也在加剧，机会与挑战并存。 在传统工程需求持续走弱的背景下，中央 ...