The temperature is rising, but you probably don’t need me to tell you that. If you’re anything like me, you’re currently sweating your way through yet another Great British heatwave, something we seem to be having in spadefuls this year. In fact, the Met Office recently announced that June 2025 was the hottest on record since 1884. So, with that in mind, is it time to start future-proofing our homes for these increasingly extreme weather surges?
As a country, we’ve never been great with weather. We love to talk about it, but whenever we’re hit with anything beyond ‘mild’, we crumble. Snow? Trains cancelled. Wind? Roads closed. Heat? Endless moaning. But when it comes to these unusual summer temperatures, it’s not just us, our homes aren’t built to handle them either.
And this may be just the start. The Met Office predicts UK heatwaves will become longer and more intense due to ongoing climate trends. So, what now? How do we keep ourselves, and our homes, cool during these stifling months?
What to read next
Google searches for ‘home air conditioning UK’ have tripled since 2020. So is this the solution to our future summer sweat sessions? Has this once-luxurious extravagance become essential? Or is it just a pricey overcompensation that’s damaging the environment? I spoke to experts on all sides of the air-con debate to help you weigh up the pros and cons before deciding what’s best for you and your home.
Benefits of installing at-home air con
Dean Franklin is an entrepreneur and air conditioning specialist who co-founded ADL Air Conditioning. You might also recognise him from his recent win on BBC’s The Apprentice, where his plans for domestic air conditioning impressed Lord Sugar enough to secure both mentorship and a tidy £250,000 investment. Dean spoke with me about how the UK’s relationship with air con is changing – and why.
Hotter summers
The most obvious benefit of installing air con? Beating the heat. With rising temperatures making day-to-day life increasingly uncomfortable, it’s no wonder more of us are considering it. UK homes are traditionally built for insulation, not ventilation, we’ve long prioritised keeping warm over keeping cool. But after the 40°C spikes of 2022, that might be changing.
‘We’re seeing a massive increase in domestic properties wanting air con at the moment,’ says Dean. ‘People are uncomfortable, not sleeping at night, and are realising that air conditioning is a solution to that problem. Air conditioning is an essential now; it’s no longer a luxury.’
Cold winters
Yes, it’s hard to imagine right now – but before long, we’ll be reaching for space heaters and electric blankets once again. Now, most modern air cons are also capable of heating rooms, too, thanks to a reverse cycle or heat pump function that allows them to switch from cooling to heating mode. Meaning you’re getting double benefit for your money. The idea of year-round temperature control, all from one remote and without relying on the boiler, is undeniably appealing.
Allergy benefits
While typical fans (especially dusty ones) can circulate allergens around the home, air conditioning units can actually improve indoor air quality.
‘Many units are fitted with advanced filtration systems, including HEPA filters, carbon filters and pollen filters that can trap dust allergens and airborne particles, helping to reduce symptoms for allergy sufferers, hay fever sufferers and improving overall indoor air quality,’ explains Dean.
‘This is especially beneficial in summer when windows might otherwise be open and allowing in pollen, pollution or dust from outside and, let’s not forget, some unwanted guests such as bugs, flies and wasps,’ he adds.
Energy efficiency
‘Today’s air-conditioning systems use advanced technology such as variable speed compressors, inverters, high efficiency heat exchangers and smart thermostatic controls,’ says Dean. ‘This delivers the exact amount of cooling or heating needed, no more, no less. This precision means less wasted electricity and lower running costs.’
So air conditioning units, especially modern ones with heat pump technology, can be surprisingly energy efficient. They’re capable of generating more heat per unit of electricity used than traditional systems, and some models use outside air as a heat source, making them a form of renewable energy (although actual energy savings depend on electricity source and usage).
This efficiency can lead to lower energy bills, particularly if your system replaces both heating and cooling functions.
Downside of installing at-home air con
To uncover the other side of the air-conditioning debate, I spoke to Dr Anastasia Mylona, the technical director for The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) an engineering association based in London where she focuses on projects around best practice for future-proofing buildings against climate extremes. While she understands the growing interest in air con, she warns that for many homes, it should be considered a last resort – citing several environmental and economic concerns.
Environmental impacts
It’s no secret that the majority of air con isn’t great for the planet. ‘They create a lot of greenhouse gas emissions, which basically makes climate change worse,’ argues Dr Mylona.
The catch-22. As more people install AC, we contribute to the warming that makes it more necessary. On top of that, leaks from units can release hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) gases that are far more potent than CO₂ when it comes to trapping heat. So, while more eco-friendly models are appearing on the market, it still seems to remain a vicious, sweaty cycle.
Expensive
Another major drawback that has stopped most of us from taking the icy plunge is that they are simply very expensive. Dean suggests while there are cheaper models being introduced to the market every day, the average installation cost for a unit in one room would be around £2,000. So, if you were hoping to have a home full of cool breezy air, you’d better be prepared to invest and wound your wallet.
Energy poverty
This phrase from Dr Mylona, also referred to as fuel poverty, describes the inability for households to afford adequate and essential energy services. This is a key concern raised by Dr Mylona, especially in the context of the UK’s ongoing energy crisis: ‘We know that a lot of people can’t afford boilers for the winter... But if we all have air conditioning in our properties, we make things much worse for the people that can’t afford to pay for one themselves.’
Air con can worsen fuel poverty for low-income households by increasing electricity demand and driving up bills. And ironically, it’s often those most vulnerable to heat, such as the elderly or those with health conditions, who can least afford it.
Urban heat island effect
Cities feel especially hot during summer nights and that’s largely due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Urban surfaces such as concrete and asphalt absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night – with little vegetation around to counteract the warming. All that heat is created by cars, office AC units and bustling city life that is only ever-increasing.
‘If you have air conditioning in one place, you’ll need it everywhere. The heat in the streets becomes much worse, which means everybody will require air conditioning,’ Dr Mylona explains. So, while installing an air con might help your flat feel cooler, it could make your whole street feel hotter. Not exactly a sustainable cycle.
Possible grid failure
‘We also run the risk of grid failure because of peak electricity demand. If it’s really hot and everybody has an aircon, then the grid can struggle to meet that demand.’ Said Dr Mylona. This is something we’ve seen in many hotter countries such as India, Pakistan and the United States, all of which are heavily equipped with air cons. Even closer to home in Europe, just this year, Spain and Portugal experienced devastating grid failures affecting millions. While the initial reports pointed to a rare atmospheric event, the incident highlights the potential for cascading failures in interconnected grids, especially when electricity demand is high.
Dr Mylona’s alternative tips for cooling down your home
According to Dr Mylona, part of the UK’s overheating problem lies in how we design homes, saying: ‘They have no shutters. They completely disregard any kind of summer performance and just focus on the winter performance.’
She’s been heavily involved in government policies on new building regulations requiring all new properties to be assessed for overheating risk. But in the meantime, here are some of her practical suggestions for what you can do to your home now, instead of or before you go down the air con route:
A green roof
Dr Mylona installed a green roof in her own home several years ago. Also known as a living roof, it’s a rooftop partially or fully covered with vegetation and soil, layered over a waterproof membrane. It helps to insulate buildings, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality – and yes, keep homes cooler.
During our interview, Dr Mylona put this fact to the test, saying, ‘Outside, the temperature is 32°C in the shade but immediately under the green roof right now it’s 24°C.’ A green roof is able to reduce the temperatures of our homes through a combination of shading, evapotranspiration and insulation. These mechanisms help to disrupt and reduce the urban heat island effect and lower the temperature of the building itself. Not too shabby for a bit of grass.
Fans
Dr.Mylona is a big fan of fans, saying, ‘Regular standing fans can be amazingly impactful up to about 32°C.’ She also suggests if you’re looking for home modifications and more permanent fixes, opt for a ceiling fan instead of air con – that is as long as your ceiling is high enough. Ceiling fans are amazing for efficient air circulation that also consumes minimal electricity. Plus in winter, they can be reversed to circulate warm air trapped near the ceiling, reducing cold spots.
Our experts' top pedestal fans
Pros
- Horizontal and vertical oscillation
- Has three heights, so can be used as a desk fan
- Control panel and remote are responsive and easy to use
Cons
- Cleaning the fan blades is a little fiddly and requires a screwdriver
Score: 90/100
This powerful pedestal fan was simple to assemble and straightforward to use from start to finish, earning rave reviews from experts and panellists. Its 12 speed settings and three airflow modes provide plenty of power to keep you comfortable in the heat and it consumed minimal electricity on test.
Pros
- Vertical and horizontal oscillation
- Has a timer that can be controlled from the app
- Consumed less than one pence an hour (0.001kWh) on test
Cons
- Slightly top-heavy so may be tricky to move and less stable than others
Score: 89/100
This pedestal and desk fan can be controlled from your phone or even via Alexa. It proved powerful in the lab and effectively cooled our panellists both via its direct stream of air and its overall effect on the room. It gets noisier from the fourth setting upwards, but it wasn’t any louder than your average dishwasher at max power.
Pros
- Has a clear LED display with auto-dimming at night
- Consumed 0.001kWh per hour on test (less than a penny)
- The fan was stable in use, even when oscillating
Cons
- Tilt must be adjusted manually
- Needs assembling and requires a screwdriver, which isn’t supplied
Score: 80/100
Testers loved this good value pedestal fan for its good range of air strengths, 12 speed settings, and three modes including a sleep function. It produced slightly more noise on max power than our winners but wasn’t any louder than you’d typically expect from a fan. All the controls were easy to use and responsive.
Shading
‘The single most effective solution that has been tested and implemented in most hot countries is shading, and especially external shading.’
This could mean adding external shutters, strategically planted trees and vegetation or simply blocking solar radiation from entering your home during peak sun hours using something stronger than our regular old curtains.
Dean’s advice before you install your air conditioning
If you’ve weighed everything up and decided air con is the right call for your home, here’s Dean’s expert advice before you get started:
When is the best time to install air-conditioning in your home?
‘If you’re having any building work done, it’s a good idea to get air conditioning fitted at the same time as the installation can be a lot neater. Pipes can be hidden behind the walls and you only see the internal unit, which is what everybody wants.’ And in many cases, the work can be completed in just one day.
As to when to put your order in, we’d recommend during off-peak times, such as spring and autumn, as demand is lower so you’re more likely to get lower rates and faster service.
Are there any home types that are not suitable for air con?
‘It’s quite difficult to install in flats, penthouses and listed buildings,’ explains Dean. ‘Apartments are quite difficult, unless you have a balcony where an air conditioning unit can be installed externally. And make sure to check with your local council whether it’s okay to install AC in your property.’
Homes with poor insulation can experience significant heat loss or gain, making it harder for air conditioning to maintain a comfortable temperature. Which, in turn, can lead to increased energy consumption and higher bills. So make sure you employ someone or a company you trust to assess your situation before you start handing over the cash.
How much does air-conditioning cost to install and to run?
‘There are cheaper brands on the market, but also some more expensive, too. I’d estimate the average installation to be around £2,000 per room.’ suggests Dean. Meaning if you’re looking for a multi-room set-up, you’ll also be looking at a pretty steep bill.
While installation isn’t cheap, running costs can be relatively low. Ofgem energy price cap suggests that the average unit rate of electricity costs 25.73p per kWh in 2025. And with many models functioning as both heaters and coolers, you could recoup some of that initial investment in energy savings long-term.
