Many UK households will be wishing they had aircon amid this week’s heatwave
Amid the UK’s fourth heatwave of the summer, you might be wishing you had air conditioning installed in your home. Parts of the UK are set to hit temperatures of 34C this week, with hot sunny weather expected across the country.
An amber alert for heat is currently in place in some UK areas, warning to people to make sure they are taking measures to keep cool and hydrated in the heat.
Demand for air conditioning in UK homes is now on the rise following this year’s unusually hot spring and summer.
Data from Checkatrade’s latest Home Improvement Index shows that demand in Q2 2025 (April to June) was up by a 23 percent compared to Q2 last year.
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So far this year, the UK has already experienced three heat waves and 11 days where the temperature has exceeded a scorching 30C.
Not only do temperatures as high as this make day-to-day life and getting to sleep very difficult and uncomfortable, but it increases the risk of heat exhaustion and even heat stroke.
This is exacerbated in UK homes, which are generally built for insulation as opposed to ventilation, meaning temperatures can rise particularly quickly during a heatwave.
In the UK, fewer than 5 per cent of properties have air conditioning installed, compared to around 90 percent of homes in the USA, for example.
This is despite many parts of the US having average temperatures lower than the UK.
So, why don’t more homes in the UK have air conditioning and how much would it cost to get it installed in your home?
Checkatrade member and air conditioning expert Matthew Powell has now answered the key questions.
Why don’t most UK homes have air con?
“The main reason is quite straightforward – the UK has some of the oldest housing stock in the developed world, with around four in ten homes built before the Second World War,” Matthew explains.
“When most were built, air conditioning simply did not exist. In addition, many homes in the UK are built using brick and have no or minimal air cavities, making the installation of air conditioning harder, or more expensive.
“The other reason is the climate. For the majority of the time, it’s simply not needed in the UK. But with increasingly hot summers (as well as springs and autumns) this could be set to change over time.”
How much does air conditioning cost to install?
“BTU (British thermal unit) is the measurement used to calculate the size of the air conditioning unit needed for the space you want to cool,” Matthew says.
“The main factor that determines this is room size, taking into account factors such as ceiling height, windows and doors.
“A 12000 BTU system is usually suitable for an average-sized bedroom. The average cost of a 12000 BTU wall-mounted unit is £750. Installation costs for a wall-mounted unit tend to average around £1,150.
“Larger spaces may require a ducted system which has a fan attached to the exterior of the property. Costs for these are slightly higher – around £990-£1,450 per unit with labour costs around £1,460-£2,100 per unit.”
Matthew explains: “To estimate the costs for a full home, simply multiply the above by the number of rooms in the home you want air conditioned – bearing in mind that larger rooms may require more powerful units.
“A portable unit typically costs £350-£420, making it far more cost-effective from an upfront perspective. They can also be moved from room to room, require no installation and can be stored away in winter. But it’s important to bear in mind their limitations and drawbacks.”
A handy table of costs for different sizes is available on Checkatrade.
How much does air conditioning cost to run?
“A modern, professionally installed 12,000 BTU unit for a bedroom will typically cost between 30p and 50p per hour to run on a cooling setting, depending on your energy tariff,” says Matthew.
“It’s crucial that the unit is correctly sized for the room by a professional; an undersized unit will run constantly and be inefficient, while an oversized one will cool the room too quickly and switch off, leading to poor humidity control.”
Should I get air con installed in my home?
“Whether you should get aircon will depend on a number of factors, not least your tolerance to the heat,” Matthew says.
“The size and type of home will be a key factor that can have a huge bearing on costs – there is a big difference in the costs of fitting air conditioning to a small home that is suitable for it versus a much larger home that requires additional work to be made suitable.
“The best option is to hire a trusted, expert installer from a platform like Checkatrade who will offer a bespoke quote based on your home’s requirements. You can then decide if it is worth it personally to you and your family.”
If you do get air conditioning installed, you could get thousands more for your home if you sell it at the right time of year.
“Research amongst estate agents shows that they would expect a home with air con this to fetch £4,925 more if sold in summer versus winter,” Matthew says.
“So if you do get air conditioning installed, selling your home in summer could help pay back some of the costs.
“In addition, many modern air conditioning units are actually reversible heat pumps. This means they can provide highly efficient heating during the winter, as well as cooling in the summer. This may make the cost more justifiable for some.”
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