If you’ve travelled abroad to a hotter climate, your hotel room or holiday accommodation was likely fitted with an air conditioning unit. We depend on these systems in hotter environments to keep us cool and comfortable. But do you really need an air conditioning unit here in the UK, where so many days are overcast or rain-sodden?
In this blog, we’ll look at how UK summers are changing, why so many homes and businesses struggle in hot weather, and when installing home air conditioning starts to make sense.
Days Are Getting Hotter
Over the past decade, the UK has seen a clear trend towards hotter summers and more frequent heatwaves. In July 2019, the UK recorded 38.7 °C in Cambridge. Just three years later, in July 2022, that record was broken when parts of the country exceeded 40 °C for the first time.
Since then, we’ve continued to experience long, hot spells. Recent summers have included multiple heat alerts and record-breaking average temperatures across the season, even if the peak daytime figures don’t always hit the headlines. For many households, that has meant several weeks each year where bedrooms and living spaces feel more like a greenhouse than a comfortable home.
Climate projections suggest that UK summers are likely to become warmer and drier overall, with heatwaves occurring more often and lasting longer. In other words, those “once in a generation” hot spells are becoming regular features of our weather – and our homes need to be ready for them.
UK Homes Are Ill-Equipped For Extreme Heat
Most UK homes were designed to keep heat in, not out. We rely heavily on radiators and good insulation to stay warm through the winter. In summer, however, our only real defence tends to be opening windows and switching on a fan.
Unfortunately, that often isn’t enough. Modern, energy-efficient homes are typically more airtight, which is excellent for reducing heating bills but can make overheating worse when hot weather arrives. South-facing rooms, loft conversions and conservatories are particularly prone to uncomfortable temperatures.
It’s no surprise that more homeowners are exploring options such as adding a dedicated air conditioning unit in their most-used rooms. If you’re not sure where to start, our overview of the benefits of a home air conditioning unit is a useful first step.
Health Implications Of Hotter Summers
Feeling a bit hot and bothered might not sound serious, but high indoor temperatures can have real health consequences. Young children, older adults and people with existing heart or breathing problems are especially vulnerable to:
- Dehydration and heat exhaustion
- Heatstroke and fainting
- Worsening of existing heart, lung and kidney conditions
- Poor sleep, fatigue and reduced concentration
Public health bodies now track heat-related illness and deaths during UK heatwaves, and the figures show that prolonged hot spells can lead to thousands of additional health incidents over the summer period. That’s before we factor in the day-to-day impact of poor sleep and struggling through sticky, uncomfortable nights.
A well-designed air conditioning system doesn’t just cool the air. It can also filter out particulates and some allergens, and it helps control humidity. For people with allergies or respiratory conditions, this can make a noticeable difference to day-to-day comfort.
Is Air Conditioning Right For Every Home?
Air conditioning isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and it won’t be right for every property or budget. However, there are many situations where a modern, efficient system is a very practical option – particularly when you focus on the rooms that affect your comfort the most.
Common examples include:
- Overheated bedrooms, especially in newer or top-floor properties
- Busy living rooms and open-plan areas that trap heat
- Loft conversions that heat up quickly under the roof
- Conservatories and garden rooms that become unusable in summer
If you’re weighing up the pros and cons, our air conditioning benefits and buying guide covers the main advantages, potential drawbacks and the key questions to ask before you commit.
What About Running Costs And Energy Use?
Energy prices are a big consideration for most households. The good news is that modern air conditioning systems are far more efficient than older units. When used sensibly, they can be surprisingly economical to run – especially if you are only cooling one or two key rooms rather than the whole house.
We’ve put together a detailed breakdown in our article on the cost of running an air conditioner in the UK, which explains what to expect on your energy bill and how to keep running costs under control.
Choosing, Installing And Maintaining Your System
If you decide that air conditioning is right for your home, the next step is choosing the right type of system and a trusted installer. Our team specialises in home air conditioning installations across Bristol and the South West, and we can talk you through options such as wall-mounted, floor-mounted and ducted systems.
Like any mechanical system, air conditioning performs best when it is properly looked after. Our guide to air conditioning maintenance tips explains what you can do yourself and when it’s time to call in the experts. For complete peace of mind, our engineers offer scheduled air conditioning service and maintenance across the region.
What About Business?
If you run a business, overheated workplaces can hurt productivity, staff wellbeing and customer satisfaction. We design and install systems for a wide range of commercial environments, from offices and shops to restaurants and leisure facilities.
You can see real-world examples of our work in our air conditioning case studies, including projects for homes, offices, warehouses and public buildings across Bristol and the South West.
So, Do You Really Need An Air Conditioning Unit In The UK?
Strictly speaking, no one has to install air conditioning. But with UK summers becoming warmer and more unpredictable, more homeowners are deciding they no longer want to simply “put up with it” for several weeks each year.
If you’re regularly struggling to sleep, finding upstairs rooms unbearable in hot weather, or you have vulnerable family members who are particularly affected by heat, then a modern air conditioning system can be a very worthwhile investment. Used correctly, it offers:
- Consistent, controllable comfort on hot days and nights
- Improved air quality and humidity control
- Potential year-round use, with efficient heating in cooler months
- Increased appeal for future buyers who value climate-ready homes
Air conditioning units aren’t just for tropical holidays. They offer real, everyday benefits to UK homes and businesses too – especially as our summers start to feel more like those in southern Europe.
If you’d like tailored advice for your property in Bristol, Bath or the surrounding areas, you can book a free air conditioning survey or contact our air conditioning specialists today.