Chennai: The heat is back, and so are crowds at air conditioner (AC) stores. As temperatures edge close to 40°C, Chennaiites are lining up to buy or rent air-conditioners before prices rise or stocks run dry.
AC sales picked up by mid-March, say electronic appliance showrooms and AC retailers, registering a 25% rise so far. It’s a busy season, though not as brisk as April 2024, when sales shot up by 40%.
“This is because it got hot only after mid-March. Prices are going up due to the rise in import costs of components. Customers want to buy before prices shoot up further,” said Vijay Krishnamurthy, managing director, Rathna Fan House.
Retailers say five-star rated smart ACs priced between 30,000 and 60,000 are most in demand this season. These models offer features such as voice commands, smart home integration, AI energy modes, and smart scheduling. “People come with a clear idea of what they want,” Vijay added.
Store employees are also dealing with a surge in enquiries. “People don’t want to explore features, they just ask for a five-star rated air-conditioner. Those on a tight budget go for three-star models. Most walk-ins are only for enquiries,” said Irfan Basha, Limra Air Conditioners.
Service requests have spiked too, but service centres say they can’t keep up because of manpower shortage.
Y Feroz, who runs a Bluestar commercial AC dealership, said his team receives at least 10 service requests a day, while each technician can handle only about three. “Most people didn’t use their ACs for more than six months since last summer. The common complaint is reduced cooling due to blocked filters. We’re flooded with calls but lack the manpower to attend to all,” he said.
Meanwhile, demand for AC rentals is also climbing. “We rent out nearly 1,500 units a day, including for metro construction sites,” said S Subramaniam, director, Caravan Appliances Pvt Ltd.
He said many customers, especially IT professionals, opt for rentals to avoid the hassle of servicing and repairs. “Around 60% of our clients choose long-term rentals, often more than a year, as issues are promptly resolved with servicing or replacements,” he said. “The rest rent for six to eight months starting in March, but our peak demand is during June and July.”