UK Home News
Air Con Demand Soars -
But why do so few UK homes have it, how much does it cost, and should YOU get it?
As we face another heat wave, new data from Checkatrade has revealed that demand for air con installation has soared by 23% year-on-year.
Adobe
With this in mind, air con expert and Checkatrade member Matthew Powell reveals all Brits need to know including:​​
-
How much it would cost to get air con in YOUR house
-
How much it costs to run
-
Why so few British homes have it compared to other countries
-
How much value it can add to a home
-
The different types available - including if portable units are really effective
Demand for air conditioning in homes is on the rise following the unusually hot spring and summer. Data from Checkatrade’s latest Home Improvement Index shows that demand in Q2 (April-June) 2025 was up by a quarter (23%) compared to Q2 last year.
The UK has already experienced three heat waves and 11 days this year where the temperature has exceeded a scorching 30 degrees. Not only do temperatures this high make day-to-day life and getting to sleep a difficult and uncomfortable experience, it increases the risk of heat exhaustion and even heat stroke.
And this can be exacerbated in UK homes which are generally built for insulation as opposed to ventilation, meaning temperatures in them can rise particularly quickly during a heat wave.
Despite this, estimates suggest fewer than 5% of UK homes have air conditioning. This compares to around 90% 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 answers 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. 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 and what types are there?
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. 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.
Checkatrade
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 handy table of costs for different sizes is available on Checkatrade.
Are portable units effective?
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.
One of the first things most people will notice is the noise - which can be significant. They also cost more to run and require regular emptying of the water tray (which collects condensation). They are also not as effective at cooling and are not suitable for large rooms.
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. 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 YOU get air conditioning?
This will depend on a number of factors, not least your tolerance to the heat. 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.
Do you have any other top air-conditioning tips?
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. 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..
Matthew Powell,
Air Con Expert
