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2018: a positive year for the French air-conditioning market

Residential and light commercial split units, as well as VRF systems, registered a strong growth.

The Summary World Air Conditioning 2019 published in April 2019 by BSRIA – IIR partner in economic data – provides valuable data regarding the air-conditioning market in France.


Current air-conditioning (AC) penetration rate in France in the residential sector (excluding moveables) is estimated at only 5% in 2018, which corresponds to 1.5 million air-to-air heat pumps in operation. This rate could reach 20% in some parts of south-eastern France, where the climate is warmer.The penetration rate is expected to reach 6% by 2023 and 45% by 2050.


In the commercial sector, the penetration rate is estimated at 40% in 2018 and expected at 41% by 2023.


The total AC market, at end user price, is estimated at EUR 1.5 billion.


2018 was a positive year for the French AC market overall, thanks in part to the good performance of the construction sector in 2017, with a traditional delay of 6 to 18 months for the installation of AC products. In particular, residential and light commercial split units registered a strong growth. The market outperformed for the first half of the year as sales to distributors were fueled by the announced change of refrigerant and a strong growth in the commercial sector.


The overall packaged market grew by 19% in 2018. This represents 676,040 units sold, with a value of 790 million EUR. Single splits (unducted) represented 45.0% of the sales in volume (+12% in 2018) while multi splits represented 17.3% (+20%), moveables/portables 9.7%, single splits (ducted) 5.8% and VRF 3.3% (with a significant increase of 15% in 2018).


Chiller sales accounted for 0.9% of sales by volume but 11.6% by value. They experienced a 4% fall in volume in 2018 due to lower sales of scroll chillers. On the contrary, air handling units (1.7% of sales) and fan coils (15.5%) recorded an increase.


Sales of rooftops (0.4%) experienced a slowdown that could be attributed to a change in the design of HVAC in retail stores.


The IIR has set up partnerships with BSRIA. As an IIR member, you can consult selected studies concerning refrigeration on BSRIA website. Our partner will provide you with a discount on reports you purchase. Contact us for further information.