Ice, Ice, Baby

Despite prices rising by around 10 per cent, AC sales have spiked this summer

- NIDHI SINGAL

WITH THE EXTREME heat waves witnessed across the country during the summer months, demand for air conditioners (AC) has spiked in the domestic market. Unlike 2019 and 2021, when the annual domestic sales of ACs was recorded at 7 and 6.4 million units, respectively, the industry has already sold 6 million units in the first half of 2022 (January-June). Only 4.25 million units were sold in the corresponding period in 2019, industry numbers show. "AC sales this year have been better than the last two years, especially in the first half. We never had such high numbers in the past," says Eric Braganza, President, Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA).