As Britain faces increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves, more households are turning to air-conditioning (AC) to cope with rising temperatures, though the trend has sparked debate among experts over its environmental and financial impact.
In south London’s Selsdon suburb, Zainab Hussain and her husband recently installed an additional AC unit in their home, citing increasingly unbearable summer heat as the driving factor. "We realised that our summers were just getting more and more unbearable," Hussain said, noting that the upstairs of their semi-detached house became unbearable during the latest heatwave. Their experience echoes a growing demand reflected across the UK, where only about 5% of homes currently have AC, despite half of all residences overheating in summer, according to a 2025 report by the Centre for British Progress.
The report highlights the rising risks associated with extreme heat, including thousands of heat-related deaths annually and declines in productivity. England recorded its hottest June on record for the second consecutive year in 2026, with all five warmest summers in Britain occurring this century—a pattern scientists attribute to human-induced climate change.
Industry professionals confirm the surge. Joe Springett, an AC installer with nearly 20 years in the business, said his domestic workload has increased significantly as more homeowners seek relief. Following the recent heatwave, Springett reported booking delays and shortages in AC stock. For those unable to afford permanent systems, demand for portable units has doubled compared to 2025, with retailers like B&Q reporting strong sales and frequent sell-outs.
Despite the rising popularity, sustainability experts caution against widespread reliance on air-conditioning due to its environmental consequences. Rajat Gupta, professor of sustainable architecture and climate change at Oxford Brookes University, noted that AC usage drives up electricity consumption, increases carbon emissions, and exacerbates urban heat island effects by releasing warm air outdoors. Gupta warns against "panic buying" and suggests that a more sustainable approach emphasizes building adjustments such as shading, improved ventilation, and heat-resilient design.
John Calautit, sustainability lecturer at University College London, also advocates for simpler, energy-efficient solutions before considering mechanical cooling. He points out that most British buildings are designed to retain heat, which complicates adapting to warmer weather, recommending measures like reflective materials and natural ventilation as first steps.
Gupta urges that air-conditioning be used sparingly and primarily for vulnerable populations, such as those in healthcare settings, rather than becoming a widespread default cooling method. However, for residents like Hussain, whose home features south-facing windows exposed to direct sunlight, AC installation has become essential for daily comfort and productivity, particularly with increased time spent at home due to remote working.
As Britain confronts more frequent extreme heat events, the balance between immediate relief and long-term sustainability remains at the center of the debate over the country’s cooling strategies.