India heat: What record air conditioner sales reveal about heatwave

Govind Ram, a junk dealer living on the outskirts of Delhi, bought an air conditioner in May after his children pleaded with him due to the unbearable heatwave that was scorching the city2. His school-going children complained of "choking" heat, prompting him to use his savings to purchase the air conditioner for their bedroom2.

According to the Council on Energy Environment and Water (CEEW), 93% of Indian households rely on fans for comfort1. Despite low access rates to air conditioning equipment, ownership rates are increasing, leading to a surge in the air conditioning market in India2.