Overview
- Record summer heat has driven a sharp surge in demand for air conditioners across Germany, producing shortages at major retailers and wholesalers.
- Popular models and portable units are largely sold out, with Midea’s interactive stock map showing only three of 1,228 tracked stores had the PortaSplit available on Wednesday.
- Local installers report inquiry volumes up to five times normal levels and warn customers that new split‑system orders placed now may not be installed until early September.
- Experts and consumer advisers say professionally installed split systems cool more efficiently and quietly than mobile 'monoblock' units and note regulatory limits on refrigerant handling.
- Care homes, hospitals and other institutions face urgent cooling needs while utilities say the effect on the grid is unclear and authorities recommend shading, ventilation and PV‑linked cooling as alternatives.