Friday, 31 May 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The owners of electronic appliances shops in Dehradun are reportedly facing a shortage of air conditioners due to a surge in demand caused by the prolonged wave of high temperatures. They claimed that the rise in temperature, which has exceeded 42 degrees Celsius this year, has influenced people to shift to ACs. Besides the shortage of AC units, the installation of AC units, which was earlier completed within 24 hours of purchase, now requires a longer waiting period.
The manager at an electronics shop Kailash Papnai stated that the demand for ACs has increased compared to the previous year. He said that the temperature of Dehradun never used to rise above 40 degrees Celsius. However, with the maximum temperature now exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, the demand for ACs has surged. In light of this increased demand, the owners of AC shops in the market are facing a shortage of units. Papnai added that people are not only facing a shortage of AC units but are also concerned about the extended waiting period for installation, which was earlier completed within 24 hours.
“The increased demand due to the heat wave has caused a shortage of AC units. This year the demand for ACs has increased by an average of 80 per cent as compared to past years. People are waiting for six to seven days to receive the AC of their choice. Additionally, people are opting to buy the three-star AC, priced at Rs 39,000, as it is more affordable compared to the five-star AC, priced at Rs 48,000,” another AC shop owner Manoj Raj said.
Several other electronic appliances shopkeepers have expressed their concern over the shortage of AC units. A customer, Mahima Negi said that she never needed an AC at her home during the summer in the past years. However, this year the unprecedented rise in temperature in the city led her to buy an AC. She expressed concern about not getting the AC on time as the city’s AC shop owners are facing a shortage of units, causing her to suffer from the heat wave for a few days more.
