Soaring temperatures trigger rush for air conditioners in Visakhapatnam
As record temperatures continue to grip Visakhapatnam, demand for air conditioners has surged across the city, triggering shortages of popular models, delays in delivery and installation, and complaints of steep service charges from consumers struggling to cope with the prolonged heatwave.
Dealers say leading brands, including Daikin and Voltas, have seen an unprecedented spike in sales over the past fortnight, with stocks running dry at several retail outlets. Customers visiting showrooms are being told that fresh consignments may take days to arrive, while some stores have begun accepting bookings as inventories shrink.
The rush is not limited to air conditioners alone. Traders in the city’s electronics market report sharp growth in sales of air coolers and refrigerators as households attempt to manage the punishing summer conditions. Retailers say many middle-class families, who previously depended on ceiling fans and coolers, are now turning to air conditioners as temperatures remain unusually high for extended periods.
Even customers who manage to secure a unit are facing delays. Delivery timelines, which would normally take less than a day, are stretching to two or three days because of mounting demand and a shortage of transport vehicles and installation staff.
Installation services, too, are under strain. While company representatives had initially promised installation within 24 to 48 hours, waiting periods have now reportedly extended to four days in several neighbourhoods. Service technicians say installation requests have nearly doubled compared with the same period last year.
“We are receiving service calls continuously from morning till night,” said one executive associated with a local appliance dealer. “The available technicians are unable to meet the volume immediately.”
With little relief from the heat, many residents are turning to private technicians for faster installation. But consumers allege that some technicians are exploiting the situation by charging inflated rates.
Standard installation charges, usually between ₹1,400 and ₹1,700 depending on the building and floor level, have reportedly risen to as much as ₹2,500 in some cases. Electrical wiring work, which typically costs ₹800 to ₹1,000, is now said to be costing consumers as much as ₹1,200.
Kiran Kumar, who recently purchased an air conditioner through a finance scheme, said the additional expenses had become difficult to manage. “We are already paying processing fees and loan interest,” he said. “On top of that, inflated installation charges are being collected. It is unfair to consumers.”
Consumer rights activists have urged authorities to monitor complaints of overcharging and ensure that authorised service providers adhere to standard installation rates during the peak summer season.