Should more UK homes have air conditioning as summers get hotter?
Growing concern over extreme summer temperatures has renewed the debate over whether more UK homes should have air conditioning, as experts warn that heat poses increasing health r
By BBC News
The increasing frequency of hot summers has reignited debate over whether more homes in the UK should be fitted with air conditioning, as health experts and policymakers consider how best to protect vulnerable people from extreme heat.
The discussion comes as researchers warn that prolonged periods of high temperatures pose growing risks for older people, those with long-term health conditions and residents living in homes that retain heat, particularly upper-floor flats in densely built urban areas.
One resident interviewed by the BBC described how high temperatures inside her social housing flat aggravate her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), making it difficult to breathe and increasing the need to seek cooler spaces during heatwaves.
Researchers say the urban heat island effect can make cities significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas, particularly overnight when buildings and roads continue to release stored heat. Studies have linked these higher overnight temperatures to an increased risk of heat-related illness and deaths during periods of extreme weather.
Housing providers are increasingly looking at ways to support residents during heatwaves. In the West Midlands, one housing association introduced a community room with portable air conditioning after receiving complaints from residents struggling to keep their homes cool.
The wider debate centres on how best to adapt homes to a warming climate while continuing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many experts argue that improving insulation, ventilation, shading and passive cooling should remain priorities, while others believe mechanical cooling will become increasingly necessary in hospitals, care homes and some residential properties.
The Climate Change Committee’s Adaptation Committee has called for stronger action to prepare the UK for rising temperatures, including better protection for vulnerable people and greater resilience in buildings and public services. It has also recommended expanding cooling measures in settings such as hospitals and care homes over the coming years.
However, widespread adoption of air conditioning presents challenges. Cooling systems increase electricity demand during hot weather and release heat outdoors, which can contribute to higher temperatures in built-up areas if deployed on a large scale. Experts say any expansion should be accompanied by improvements in building design, energy efficiency and low-carbon electricity generation.
As hotter summers become more common, the question of how homes, workplaces and public buildings are adapted is likely to remain an important part of the UK’s long-term climate resilience strategy.