Fan, AC demands and prices soar
Staff Reporter :
With the temperature rising to unbearable levels, discomfort has become the norm. There’s no respite even within the confines of homes, as surviving without fans or air conditioners seems impossible.
Since Eid-ul-Fitr, temperatures have fluctuated between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius. On Saturday (April 20), Chuadanga recorded a scorching 42.3 degrees Celsius.
Such intolerable heat has led to a surge in demand for fans and air conditioners, evident from the bustling crowds at electronics stores behind Mirpur-1 Cooperative Market. Most customers were seen purchasing ceiling and stand fans.
Traders note that demand for fans and air conditioners has been on the rise since March, accompanied by a corresponding increase in prices. Local shops are struggling to meet the demand for fans, leading to the sale of non-brand and foreign fans. However, customers complain of inflated prices.
“At Suraiya Electronics, a stand fan was priced between Tk 850 and 900,” said a university student, Tarikul. However, dissatisfied with the price, he refrained from making the purchase.
He mentioned that the price of small, non-brand typhoon fans had risen from Tk 450–500 last year to Tk 850–900. With one fan unable to provide relief from the heat, he decided to purchase another.
Surveying the market, small stand fans (9–10 inches) or typhoon fans are being sold for Tk 750–1,600. Stand fans from various brands are priced from Tk 2,200 to Tk 8,000.
Mamun Hossain, proprietor of Mamun Electronics, remarked, “We experience increased sales of fans during the hot season. Currently, demand for ceiling fans is high.” Rechargeable fans from different brands are being sold for between Tk 4,500 and Tk 7,000.
Alongside the surge in demand for fans, there’s also been an increase in demand for air conditioners. At Esquare Electronics in Mirpur-1, a one-ton AC is being sold for Tk 74,000, while a one-and-a-half-ton unit goes for Tk 121,000. Vision ACs are priced at Tk 47,000 for one ton and Tk 65,000 for one-and-a-half tons.
Sales representatives from showrooms mentioned that both inverter and non-inverter ACs are selling well, although many customers are unsure about which type to buy. Additionally, there’s a Tk 10,000 installation charge for ACs, with discounts available for customers.
Kalyanpur businessman Sharif Ikbal, considering the discomfort, stated, “I have a small clothing store. With the rising temperatures making it difficult to work, I’ve decided to invest in an AC. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to purchase a one-and-a-half-tonne unit.”
