Rising temperatures and increasingly frequent heatwaves are prompting more households across the United Kingdom to install air conditioning systems, a trend that is sparking debate among climate experts and sustainability advocates.
For many residents, air conditioning was once considered unnecessary in Britain. However, hotter summers have changed that perception. London resident Zainab Hussain said she and her family never imagined needing air conditioning, but after enduring repeated heatwaves, they decided it had become essential for their home.
The family initially installed an air conditioning unit downstairs but later added another upstairs after finding the upper floor almost impossible to sleep in during the latest heatwave. Hussain said the increasing temperatures have made comfortable living difficult, especially for families spending more time at home due to remote work.
Although demand is growing, experts have raised concerns about relying on air conditioning as the primary solution. Rajat Gupta, a professor of sustainable architecture and climate change at Oxford Brookes University, warned that widespread use of air conditioners increases electricity consumption, raises household energy bills, and contributes to higher carbon emissions. He also said air conditioning units release heat outdoors, making cities even warmer through the urban heat island effect.
According to a 2025 report by the Centre for British Progress, only around 5 percent of homes in the UK currently have air conditioning, despite many properties overheating during the summer months. The report highlighted the growing health risks linked to extreme heat, including thousands of heat-related deaths each year and reduced workplace productivity.
Air conditioning installers say demand has increased sharply in recent years. Joe Springett, who has worked in the industry for nearly two decades, said he now receives far more requests from homeowners than businesses. Following the latest heatwave, he reported being fully booked for weeks, while retailers also experienced strong demand for portable cooling units.
Despite the growing popularity of air conditioning, sustainability experts continue to recommend alternative cooling measures such as improved insulation, external shading, reflective building materials, and better natural ventilation. They argue that mechanical cooling should be used only when these methods are insufficient, particularly for vulnerable people in hospitals, care homes, and other high-risk settings.
