BRG’s latest European bathroom & kitchen reports have now been released, covering the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK, as part of our European bathroom & kitchen programme. Across these markets, demand in bathrooms and kitchens is increasingly shaped by renovation activity, layout optimisation and product substitution, rather than by expansion in housing stock or headline volume growth. As a result, per

Rising Adoption of VRF Systems in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s central air conditioning systems market is entering a transition phase, where technological preference is beginning to shift rather than simply expand. This transition is reflected in a CAGR of approximately 8-9% over 2021-2025, with the market now entering a phase of double-digit growth. Within this evolving landscape, VRF systems are moving from a peripheral role to a strategically important growth segment. Devel

Why DIY Channel Lags Behind in the Philippines The perception and adoption of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) practices vary markedly between Asian and Western markets, driven by differences in cultural norms, economic conditions, and market structures. In Europe, DIY is deeply embedded in a culture of self-reliance and home improvement, where consumers are motivated by creativity, cost efficiency, and a long-standing tradition of hands-on maintenance. This behaviour is further enabled

Solar Water Heater Adoption In India For a majority of households, electric geysers win on upfront affordability and ease of installation, while solar water heaters win on lifecycle savings. Electric storage and instant geysers are available from around 3000 - 15000 INR, with minimal installation complexity, which fits the cash‑flow constraints of many urban and semi‑urban buyers. Solar systems, even after price declines, still involve higher capital expenditure and structura

District Cooling vs. Conventional HVAC in the Middle East District cooling emerges as a cornerstone of long-term energy efficiency and smart urban planning in the Gulf. In the Middle East, cooling is a year-round necessity that influences building design and energy consumption, with air conditioning being a significant energy user. District cooling, which centralizes cooling production and distributes it to multiple buildings, is preferred in Gulf countries for its efficienc

U.S. Heat Pumps Growth Enters New Phase Amid Changing Incentives and Market Forces The U.S. heat pump market has entered a new phase, shaped by the expiration of federal incentives, rising state-level support, and evolving consumer preferences. While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) played a pivotal role in accelerating adoption through its generous tax credits and rebate programs, the conclusion of those federal incentives has affected market dynamics. Growth remains suppor

Thailand's Rise as Global Export Powerhouse for Air Conditioners Thailand has emerged as ASEAN's leading air conditioner (AC) export powerhouse, producing around 21 million units in 2024 and ranking as the world's third-largest exporter after China and Mexico (marginally behind Mexico by value). Thailand’s export revenues hit approximately 7 billion USD in 2024, with over 19 million units shipped globally. Key production clusters thrive in Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor

Southeast Asia's Smart Bathroom Market On The Move Southeast Asia is emerging as one of the fast-growing smart bathroom markets in Asia, fuelled by urbanisation, rising incomes and growing interest in health, hygiene, and connected living. Smart toilets, digital showers, and integrated mirrors are evolving from luxury items to aspirational mid-market products, intensifying competition among Japanese and European giants facing agile Chinese, Korean, and local ASEAN players. As

Heat Pump In 2025, the markets for gas wall hung boilers and outside air‑water heat pumps moved in noticeably different directions across the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Poland. Gas wall hung boilers declined in every country compared with 2024, continuing a clear downward tendency visible in all five markets. In contrast, outside air‑water heat pumps showed a more varied yet overall more positive pattern. While France and Italy experienced a slight downturn

India’s Heat Pump Water Heater Market: An Emerging Efficiency Trend India’s water heating market is quietly entering a new phase, marked by the early but accelerating adoption of heat pump water heaters (HPWHs). Long dominated by electric “geysers” and supported by a niche solar segment, the market is beginning to pivot toward heat pump technology as energy efficiency shifts from a secondary consideration to a core purchasing criterion. Although HPWHs currently account for a

Why Solar Water Heating Struggles in India Despite Being a Proven Renewable Solution Solar water heating is one of the most energy-efficient renewable technologies available. A standard residential system can reduce electricity consumption for water heating by 70–80%, displacing roughly 1,500 kWh per year for a typical household. With system lifetimes exceeding 15–20 years, payback periods often fall within two to four years, even without subsidies. From a technical standpoi

Air Conditioner Extended heatwaves across Southern Europe, particularly in Spain and Greece, continue to spike demand for air conditioning, transforming cooling from a luxury to a necessity. The trend persisted in 2025 amid record temperatures in the region. As per BRG estimates, while only about one-third of homes in Spain had air conditioning at the beginning of the last decade, the adoption has surged with continued growth (pandemic year of 2020 being the only exception) t

GST Cut Fails to Kickstart Indian AC Sales – Primary Market Stays Subdued The recent reduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the Indian AC market from 28% to 18% has provided price relief for consumers. However, primary sales, shipments from manufacturers to distributors, have yet to see the anticipated boost, with industry insiders citing high channel inventories and cautious dealer ordering as key factors. Distributors Hold Back Amid High Inventories Distributor

Air Conditioning Qatar’s climate is among the harshest in the world, with summer temperatures regularly rising above 45°C. In such conditions, air conditioning is not a luxury but a necessity. AC systems designed to operate efficiently and reliably at extreme ambient temperatures, often above 50°C, are therefore essential. Gulf nations use special performance ratings such as T3 at 46°C and T4 at 48°C for AC testing, and manufacturers build units to function continuously well

DIY The perception and adoption of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) practices differ significantly between Asian and Western countries, largely due to cultural, economic, and structural factors. In Europe for example, DIY is deeply rooted in a culture of self-sufficiency and home improvement, where consumers are motivated by creativity, cost-saving, and a strong tradition of hands-on maintenance. Retail infrastructure in Western markets also supports this behaviour through extensive DIY

After a few challenging years, the European ventilation market is finally seeing light at the end of the ductwork Ventilation manufacturers have faced better times. Following more than a decade of steady growth, demand for ventilation products in Europe peaked in 2022. Since then, sales have declined across most countries and product categories. Among the 23 European markets covered by the BRG Ventilation Programme 2025, only the UK, Ireland, Spain, Greece, France, and Belgiu

Why Window ACs Still Dominate in the Philippines: A Regional Perspective Across Southeast Asia, the transition from traditional window air conditioners to more efficient split-type systems have become increasingly evident. Countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam have seen rapid uptake of split-type air conditioners, supported by rising household incomes, modernising housing stock and strong policy emphasis on energy-efficient appliances. The Philippines, however, rem

The European bathroom market remained stable in 2024, declining marginally, navigating shifting consumer preferences, evolving housing dynamics, and broader economic pressures. Eastern Europe maintained a slight lead in overall activity, supported by consistent demand across core categories. Western Europe, while marginally behind in total installations, continues to set the pace for long-term growth, particularly in renovation-led upgrades. Housing RMI remained the dominant

As temperatures continue to rise and rapid urbanisation reshapes the Middle East, cooling demands have become central to national planning in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. With both countries launching large-scale residential, commercial, and industrial developments under their long-term visions, cooling is now positioned at the crossroads of sustainability, energy security, and economic diversification. Within this evolving landscape, decentralised cooling systems are eme

India’s Air Conditioning Industry: From Import Dependence to a Self-Reliant Manufacturing Hub India's air conditioning industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Due to rising consumer demand and government initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Air Conditioning and Components and the Make in India campaign, companies are increasingly prioritizing local manufacturing and expanding their production capacity. India's AC market, once heavily relian