THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The summer heat has pushed up the sale of air-conditioners, but stabilisers which are integral to their functioning are in short supply. Although many models have in-built stabilisers, those who buy units without them continue to suffer the heat. As shops have run out of stock, the stabiliser producers have scaled up the production, but it may take up to two weeks to clear the backlog, industry sources said.
Usually the demand for air-conditioners goes up by March-end, but this year, it zoomed by mid-February creating scarcity of stabilisers. “This year, the sale has gone up by 30 to 40 percent though normally the increase is 10 to 15 percent. This led to a sudden scarcity of stabilisers. We hope to clear the backlog in 10 to 15 days,” said Mr P.V. Padmakumar, senior general manager, marketing, of V-Guard Industries.
Previously, shops selling air-conditioners supplied stabilisers also as a combo pack. But now they are asking customers to purchase them from other shops. Hence, many have been unable to make use of the units. “We have ordered for 30 stabilisers but got only eight by Thursday evening and they were sold out in hours,” said the manager of an electrical shop at Palayam.
