Homeowners across London are facing increasing pressure to remove air conditioning units from their properties as local authorities enforce strict building regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Despite record-breaking heat and temperatures forecast to reach as high as 40 degrees Celsius, councils are upholding policies that prioritize low-energy cooling methods over the use of active air conditioning systems.
Under new planning rules aligned with the city’s climate goals, known colloquially as a “cooling hierarchy,” air conditioning is designated as a last-resort solution to managing indoor temperatures. The regulations favor passive cooling strategies, such as opening windows, using fans, and shading windows, before permitting the installation or continued use of air conditioning units. These guidelines have been adopted by boroughs like Camden and Islington, often imposing stricter requirements than national building codes.
In several documented cases, residents were ordered to permanently remove air conditioning units despite varying circumstances. One north London homeowner was compelled by Camden council to dismantle two units on their property, after planning inspectors determined the installations lacked sufficient justification and did not comply with local energy policies. The council advised the resident to ventilate their flat through natural means such as open windows and balcony doors, dismissing concerns about security risks.
Another resident, who had adhered to all planning requirements and demonstrated the presence of multiple eco-friendly upgrades including solar panels, was initially directed to remove three units. After an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, the decision was overturned, highlighting some flexibility within the system.
Air conditioning engineers report receiving numerous calls to decommission functional systems installed across London, often worth several thousand pounds. The enforcement actions partly stem from policies derived from the Greater London Authority’s 2021 “London Plan,” which encourages new developments to minimize reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems. Some local plans go further by explicitly discouraging air conditioning due to concerns over increased energy demand and the exacerbation of urban heat.
The unfolding tensions have drawn criticism from opposition politicians. Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, described the restrictions as “totally bonkers,” arguing that it is unreasonable for councils to prevent people from installing air conditioning on energy use grounds. The Conservative Party has accused the government of imposing a de facto ban on air conditioning, particularly in new build projects, and called for the current regulatory framework to be scrapped.
A government spokesperson emphasized that air conditioning is not banned and that councils are expected to apply planning rules in a balanced way that considers both environmental objectives and community needs. Camden council stated that its policies encourage residents to demonstrate that alternative cooling methods have been exhausted before granting permission for air conditioning installation, adding that enforcement is rare and used only when guidelines are disregarded. The Greater London Authority similarly highlighted that its strategies aim to keep homes cool without resorting primarily to energy-intensive technologies, with ultimate responsibility for planning decisions resting with boroughs.
As the UK contends with increasingly severe heatwaves, the debate over balancing carbon reduction goals and residents’ comfort is likely to intensify.