Rush to buy air conditioners begins earlier

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Sales of air conditioners are rising sharply earlier than expected amid above-average temperatures this month that may herald a sweltering summer to come.

The nation’s appliance makers are promoting their products in earnest before summer starts in the face of a sudden surge in demand. This has reportedly led to customers having to wait more than two weeks to get their air conditioner delivered.

Lotte Hi-Mart said air conditioner sales doubled during the week from May 1 compared with the same period last year. E-Mart reported a 144.1 percent surge in air conditioner sales between April 1 and 25 from a year ago.

The surge is attributed to hot weather arriving earlier than expected, with temperatures in the metropolitan area hitting 30 degrees Celsius this month.

Consumers are getting in early to buy after the so-called “air conditioner rush” last year.

Air conditioners with air purifier systems are especially popular because of worsening fine dust blanketing the country.

“I ordered an air conditioner from a local appliance store and they said I would have to wait for about two weeks because orders are piled up,” a Seoulite surnamed Cho, 35, said.

“It is getting worse to live in the metropolitan area because of air pollution. I find it difficult to breathe in the season every year. And summer is coming. An air conditioner is now a must-have in Korea.”

Air conditioner production at Samsung and LG Electronics has been in full swing since March and the companies are using more electricians for installation to meet the surging demand.