Experts warn against overreliance on air conditioning as UK heatwaves increase

Rising temperatures across the United Kingdom are driving more households to install air conditioning, but climate experts are urging people not to see it as the only solution to increasingly frequent heatwaves.

Rising temperatures across the United Kingdom are driving more households to install air conditioning, but climate experts are urging people not to see it as the only solution to increasingly frequent heatwaves. While demand for cooling systems has grown sharply, specialists say improving homes to stay naturally cool would be a more sustainable long term approach.

For many families, air conditioning was once considered unnecessary in Britain. However, repeated periods of extreme heat have changed that perception. London resident Zainab Hussain recently decided to install another air conditioning unit in her home after struggling through the country’s second heatwave of the year. She said the family had already fitted one unit downstairs but realised the upper floor became almost impossible to sleep in during the hottest days.

Experts say more households are reaching the same conclusion. Although only about five percent of homes in Britain currently have air conditioning, studies show that around half experience overheating during the summer months. Supporters of wider air conditioning use argue that rising temperatures are increasing the number of heat related deaths each year and reducing productivity, making cooling systems more important than ever.

The United Kingdom has experienced several record breaking summers in recent years. England recorded its hottest June since official records began in 1884, while the country’s five warmest summers have all occurred during the twenty first century. Climate scientists say human driven climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, longer lasting and more intense.

The changing weather has also transformed the air conditioning business. Installer Joe Springett said residential customers now make up a growing share of his work after years of mainly fitting systems in offices and commercial buildings. According to him, demand rises dramatically whenever temperatures climb, with homeowners rushing to book installations as soon as a heatwave begins. Following the latest spell of hot weather, he said his schedule filled up for weeks and supplies became difficult to obtain.

Retailers have also reported a surge in sales of portable air conditioning units as many households look for cheaper alternatives. Some stores have already sold out of popular models, while home improvement chains say online searches for cooling products have doubled compared with last year.

Despite the growing demand, sustainability experts remain concerned about the increasing use of air conditioning. Rajat Gupta, a professor of sustainable architecture and climate change at Oxford Brookes University, warned that relying heavily on cooling systems increases electricity consumption, raises household energy bills and contributes to higher carbon emissions. He also pointed out that air conditioners release warm air outside, making cities even hotter during periods of extreme weather.

Instead of depending on mechanical cooling, Gupta recommends upgrading homes with better insulation, improved ventilation, exterior shading and reflective building materials. He believes new buildings should be designed to cope with rising temperatures naturally, reducing the need for air conditioning. According to him, cooling systems should mainly be reserved for places where vulnerable people are cared for, including hospitals and nursing homes.

John Calautit, a sustainability expert at University College London, also supports practical alternatives before turning to air conditioning. He said many British homes were built to retain heat during cold winters and are poorly suited to modern summer temperatures. Measures such as improved shading, natural airflow and heat resistant building materials, he said, should be considered before installing cooling systems.

For families like the Hussains, however, air conditioning has become more than a luxury. With more people working from home and spending longer indoors, they believe maintaining a comfortable living environment is becoming essential as Britain continues to experience hotter summers.