AC, TV And Appliance Prices To Rise Up To 8% From October 1 As Input Costs Climb

Air-conditioner, television and home appliance prices are set to rise from October 1 as manufacturers pass on higher input costs ahead of the festive season. AC prices are expected to increase by 5-8%, while some companies are raising prices of LED TVs, refrigerators and washing machines by around 3-4%, industry executives said.

The latest round of price increases will be the consumer durables industry's third in 2026. Manufacturers are facing higher costs for copper, aluminium, steel and crude derivatives, along with increased freight expenses and currency volatility. Some companies have already raised prices, while others are preparing to implement increases from October or November.

Blue Star, Godrej Appliances, Haier, Daikin and Super Plastronics have announced or confirmed price increases of around 4-10% across categories. Haier plans to raise room AC prices by about 5% from October 1 and has indicated a 2-3% increase for LED TVs, washing machines and other products. Daikin has already raised AC prices by 8-10% from September 16. LG and Bosch Home Comfort, which sells Hitachi-branded ACs, have also raised AC prices by around 5%.

Why Are AC, TV And Appliance Prices Rising?

Copper has become a major cost concern for AC manufacturers. Haier India President NS Satish said copper prices, which were around $8,000-9,000 per tonne last year, have now reached about $14,500. An air-conditioner uses around 3-4 kg of copper, making the increase particularly significant for the cooling segment.

Godrej Enterprises Group said commodity prices had risen 8-10% since its previous price revision. The company expects price increases of 5-7% across categories, although the timing could vary between brands.

Blue Star Managing Director B Thiagarajan said AC and deep-freezer prices had already increased by 5-8% this year. He said this was the company's third price increase in 2026.

Higher aluminium and steel prices are also adding to manufacturing costs, while crude-linked inputs and freight expenses have increased the cost of moving products through the supply chain. Currency movements have added another layer of pressure for companies that depend on imported components or raw materials.

What Are Companies Saying About The Price Hike?

Manufacturers are taking different approaches to the higher costs, but most are preparing for further price revisions.

Haier expects to raise room AC prices by 5% from October 1 and has indicated that it could take another 5% increase after Diwali and a further 5% in January if commodity costs remain elevated. The company has estimated a cumulative price increase of about 15% between October and January.

Daikin Airconditioning India has already raised prices by 8-10% from September 16. Chairman and Managing Director Kanwaljeet Jawa said copper prices had increased 25-35% and that companies were under pressure from the stronger dollar and higher commodity costs.

Godrej's Kamal Nandi said another industry-wide increase had become necessary after the rise in commodity prices. However, he said consumers could still find products at existing prices during the festive season because older inventory remains with distributors and retailers.

That inventory could delay the full impact of the price increase. Manufacturers and distributors had stocked products in August and September before the latest revisions, and some of this stock is expected to remain available through Diwali.

Consumer Durable Stocks To Watch

The price changes bring Blue Star, Voltas, Havells India, Amber Enterprises India, Whirlpool of India and Dixon Technologies into focus. Blue Star and Voltas have direct exposure to the AC market, while Havells has exposure through Lloyd. Amber Enterprises is part of the AC manufacturing supply chain, Whirlpool has exposure to refrigerators and washing machines, and Dixon has a broader electronics manufacturing business that includes televisions. For these companies, festive-season volumes, pricing and the effect of higher input costs on margins will be key factors to track.

What To Watch Next

The extent to which the higher prices reach consumers will depend partly on how quickly existing inventory is sold. Retailers carrying products bought at older prices may continue offering them at previous rates during the early part of the festive season, while new supplies are likely to reflect the higher costs.

Demand during Diwali will be another key indicator for the sector. Manufacturers are entering the season with higher prices at a time when consumers typically expect discounts and promotional offers.

Commodity prices will remain important, particularly copper, aluminium and steel. Any further increase could lead to additional price revisions after Diwali. Haier has already indicated the possibility of further increases in December and January if input costs remain high.

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