During June’s heatwave, several long-standing temperature records were equalled or broken. Homes across the country became heat traps, bringing discomfort at best and serious health issues at worst. It also sparked a question that has been hotly debated since: is domestic air conditioning now unavoidable?
We get a few scorchers in the UK every summer, but this year’s heat has been feeling different – and it is. Brought about by the El Niño weather event, the Met Office observed unprecedented daytime temperatures in June, with 37.7 degrees recorded at Lingwood, Strumpshaw Hill on 26 June, surpassing the previous record of 35.6 degrees set at Southampton in June 1976.
The heat left many defenseless, as flinging windows open, taking cold showers and turning fans on full blast simply didn’t bring the relief expected or needed. Days were spent hunkered down indoors, holding out for that brief moment in the late evening when temperatures would finally drop to more humane levels. Come bedtime, the struggle would begin again.
That one week in late June made it clear that Britain – home to Europe’s oldest housing stock, according to an analysis by The Health Foundation – isn’t equipped to withstand heat, which is projected to become more common and intense.
‘The UK was built for a climate that no longer exists today and will be increasingly distant in years to come,’ Britain’s Climate Change Committee, which advises the government, put it in a report in May.
So, what are we to do? Many suggest it might be time to embrace American-style air conditioning. The Economist advised that ‘Europeans should learn to love the air-conditioner’ – and it seems we are warming to the idea. Google searches around aircon soared during the May and June heatwaves, and supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl promptly responded by launching budget-friendly air coolers.
It’s also evident in what buyers are now looking for in a potential new home. ‘We have had a noticeable rise in buyers specifically asking whether a property has air conditioning installed or whether it would be straightforward to retrofit,’ says David Lakin, director of real estate agent Harris & Birt.
‘Two or three years ago, this would have been an unusual question. Now it is becoming a genuine factor in viewing decisions, particularly for upper-floor flats, south-facing properties and homes with large amounts of glazing.’
Despite the obvious demand, domestic air conditioning is still a hotly contested topic, and many believe it is among the environmental sins that contributed to climate change in the first place, accounting for around 4 per cent of global greenhouse emissions, according to UNICEF. And yet, it’s seemingly the only solution to this debilitating heat – or is it?
‘I would be cautious about assuming it is inevitable,’ David says. ‘What we are seeing is more nuanced than that.’ He explains that buyers are increasingly prioritising properties with good passive cooling design, proper loft and wall insulation, external shading and well-placed ventilation. They’re also more open to a single, well-positioned air conditioning unit rather than a full retrofit.
‘It suggests the market is moving toward a hybrid approach rather than a wholesale shift to air conditioning as standard,’ he says. Still, David adds, ‘[summer comfort] is a genuine and growing factor in buyer decision-making that estate agents did not see five years ago.’
Read more:
5 modern ways to a cooler home without air conditioning
Air-conditioning will become more prevalent – UNICEF projects global aircon ownership will rise from 37 per cent in 2023 to over 45 per cent by 2030 – but building and property experts believe there are many, far more sustainable alternatives available.
1. External shading
One of the most energy-efficient and budget-friendly ways to keep your home cool is creating shade, preventing the indoors from heating up in the first place. ‘Elements such as awnings, pergolas, exterior blinds and shade trees planted in the proper places will make the temperature inside your house cooler,’ says Eric Bramlett, owner of Bramlett Real Estate.
2. Fibre cement cladding
Cladding is another efficient way to keep the heat out. Fibre cement is an extremely durable material that offers protection while giving your home a sleek finish. ‘It offers protection against the UV rays of the sun. Thanks to this second layer around your home, its structural elements are not exposed to harsh weather conditions,’ UK cladding specialist Cedral writes on its website.
The colour you choose makes a real difference. Darker shades absorb more of the sun’s heat, while lighter hues reflect it. Ventilated cladding can also boost the cooling effect. A small gap between the façade and the cladding allows hot air to pass through, helping the building’s temperature naturally.
3. Heat pumps
Like a conventional air conditioner, an air-to-air heat pump can be used to cool your home during warmer weather. The key difference is how it works: rather than generating cold air, it transfers heat from inside your home to the outside.
‘In winter, the process is reversed, drawing heat from the outside air to provide efficient heating,’ adds Hamid Salimi, a product manager at Daikin. Because they move heat rather than create it, they eliminate the need for gas or fossil fuels, making them a highly energy-efficient and sustainable home feature.
4. Insulation and air sealing
Insulation and air sealing – the process of locating and sealing all the nooks, crannies and gaps throughout a home – are useful and medium-effort methods for temperature regulation, regardless of the season.
‘Even though people usually think about insulation in wintertime, it actually works great in summer as well,’ says Eric. ‘The price of the upgrade varies from house to house depending on its size and age, but it saves money in heating bills.’
5. Cool roofing
Replacing your roof is a major project and a significant investment, but it can make a significant difference to your home’s temperature in summer, says Eric.
A cool roof is designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Made using highly reflective materials or specialist coatings, it helps keep your home cooler, reduces the need for air conditioning, and can even help reduce the urban heat island effect in built-up areas.
