Paseco's Window Air Conditioner Sales Double in May and June
Guiturami Also Sees 20% Year-on-Year Increase
As a record-breaking heatwave with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius has continued since early July, sales of window air conditioners have surged. Demand has increased as more people are looking to install additional cooling units in each room, even if they already have an air conditioner in the living room, due to the ongoing extreme heat. The rise in single-person households is also contributing to higher sales of window air conditioners. In response, companies in the sector are fiercely competing by launching new products this year with significantly upgraded features.
According to industry sources on July 10, sales of window air conditioners by home appliance company Paseco from May to June more than doubled compared to the same period last year. As this year's heatwave was forecasted, sales of Paseco's window air conditioners began to rise as early as March. When the company tallied sales for the two weeks following mid-March, the number was more than nine times higher than the same period last year. As a result, Paseco explained that it has been operating its production lines at full capacity.
To meet this "heatwave demand," Paseco launched the 'Paseco Window Air Conditioner Premium 3' equipped with a ventilation system this year. This product enhances competitiveness by adding air quality management through ventilation to the traditional cooling and dehumidifying functions of window air conditioners for the summer. It also features an 'AI Energy Saving Cooling' function, which analyzes the user's preferred temperature and airflow settings when the air conditioner is in use and automatically adjusts them, reducing energy consumption by about 25%.
Sales of window air conditioners from Guiturami have also increased significantly. As of July 8, this year's sales had risen by 20% compared to the previous year. Since Guiturami first launched its window air conditioner in 2020, sales have increased every year, but this year, the growth rate has accelerated due to the heatwave.
Guiturami, which upgrades and releases new window air conditioner models every year, focused this year on cooling efficiency and user convenience. First, the company achieved top-tier energy efficiency by applying a 'dual inverter compressor,' which adjusts the compressor's rotation speed according to the indoor temperature for efficient operation. In addition, the 'Eco Mode' quickly lowers the indoor temperature and then adjusts the airflow for eight hours, saving approximately 60% more energy compared to the standard cooling mode. When operating in sleep mode, the unit achieves ultra-low noise levels of just 33 decibels, which is quieter than a typical library or quiet home. The dehumidification mode can remove up to 40 liters of moisture from the air per day, helping users sleep comfortably even during the rainy season.
One of the main reasons for the sharp increase in demand for window air conditioners from these companies, alongside the heatwave, is price competitiveness. Major companies such as Samsung and LG have also launched window air conditioners, but by focusing on premium features like AI, their products are priced higher than those of Paseco and Guiturami. The ability to easily install the units by oneself is another advantage. As the heatwave struck suddenly, consumers have increased purchases because they can install the units immediately upon delivery without waiting for a professional technician. According to a recent survey by the price comparison service Danawa, transaction amounts for window air conditioners in the fourth week of May increased by 129% compared to the previous week, far outpacing stand-type air conditioners (22%) and wall-mounted air conditioners (20%).
Additionally, the industry believes that demand is rising for window air conditioners in homes that already have a "two-in-one air conditioner" installed in the living room and one bedroom, as more people are adding window units to other rooms without air conditioning due to the recent heatwave. Furthermore, window air conditioners are well-suited for spaces of 13 to 20 square meters, such as studios and officetels, making them an ideal choice for single-person households, which surpassed 10 million last year and continue to increase. An industry official said, "The demand for window air conditioners is surging due to the record-breaking heat," and added, "Companies will continue to differentiate themselves not only through easy installation, cooling efficiency, and low noise, but also through user convenience and design."
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