Home appliances : why sales of fans and air conditioners are skyrocketing during the heatwave

Each new heat wave now triggers the same reflex among the French : rushing to the home appliances aisles to find a fan or a portable air conditioner. This summer, the phenomenon has reached an unprecedented scale, with sales smashing all records and prices soaring in just a few days.

A sales record during the heat wave

Over the period from June 15 to 28, 2026 alone, about 1.9 million fans and air conditioners were sold in France, including nearly 1.8 million fans and 160,000 air conditioners. The week of June 21 to 28 was particularly intense, with one million units sold in seven days, an increase of 66 % compared with the same period in 2025. Some retailers reported spectacular performances : a large distributor sold up to 200,000 air conditioners in one week, while another specialized retailer was selling up to 10,000 units per day at the height of demand.

Prices soar with demand

This rush has mechanically pushed price tags up. The average price of fans jumped by 46 % in a few weeks, some models rising from €80 to €120. Portable air conditioners experienced even stronger inflation, with prices sometimes tripling, reaching up to €1,000 for units normally sold at €300. This pressure on prices illustrates a classic imbalance between supply limited by available stocks and a sudden demand concentrated over only a few weeks.

The fridge, the big forgotten item on the summer bill

While fans and air conditioners draw attention, another household appliance also sees its consumption quietly rise : the refrigerator. With a hotter kitchen, the compressor works harder and cycles come closer together, which increases the electricity bill without the user noticing. A few simple actions can nevertheless limit the damage : keeping the refrigerator around +5 °C and the freezer at -18 °C is sufficient; there is no need to lower the thermostat further during periods of intense heat. A thin layer of frost of only 3 mm can, by itself, raise the appliance's consumption by 30 %, hence the importance of defrosting regularly. Moving the fridge away from heat sources (oven, dishwasher, sunny window) and leaving 5 to 10 cm of space behind the rear grille to allow hot air to escape are also useful habits. A well-filled freezer can save up to 30 % of electricity compared with a half-empty appliance.

Anticipate rather than endure

Faced with these peaks in demand that now repeat every summer, households have every interest in anticipating their appliance purchases before the first heat warnings, when stocks are still plentiful and prices stable. For existing appliances, regular maintenance remains the simplest way to limit the impact of a heat wave on the electricity bill, without waiting for the next extreme episode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do appliance sales skyrocket during heat waves ?

The demand for fans and air conditioners jumps sharply as soon as a period of intense heat is announced, which puts distributors' stocks under pressure and drives prices up in a matter of days.

How can I limit refrigerator overconsumption in summer ?

Simply keep the temperature at +5 °C, defrost the appliance regularly, keep it away from heat sources and make sure there is enough space for ventilation at the back.

Is it better to buy a fan before or during the heat wave ?

It is preferable to buy before the peak of heat : once the wave starts, stocks become scarce and prices can rise by several tens of percent in a few days.

Sources

• Journal du Net
• Selectra
• Fournisseurs-électricité.com

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This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy