UK Household Air Conditioning Ownership Doubles to Over 4 Million in Three Years

AC

UK: An estimated four million homes in the UK are now equipped with air conditioning, representing a twofold increase compared to three years ago, as rising temperatures have led many households to report increasingly uncomfortable living conditions during summer heatwaves. Portable air-conditioning units, typically rated at around 1kW, remain slightly more common than fixed systems, which generally consume higher power, averaging about 2.7kW.

Industry experts attribute the rise in AC adoption to a combination of increasing remote working and warmer summer conditions. The UK has experienced several of its hottest summers in recent years, including a record-breaking temperature of 40°C in July 2022. Growing climate concerns are also expected to accelerate demand, as the government’s climate advisers recently highlighted the increasing necessity of cooling systems to cope with projected temperature rises. According to the report, passive measures such as curtains, ventilation, and shading may no longer be sufficient to prevent overheating in homes.

The report further recommends that air conditioning be installed in care homes and hospitals over the next decade to address climate-related risks. With heatwaves above 40°C projected across all parts of the UK by 2050, and nearly 90% of homes expected to face overheating risks, demand for residential cooling solutions is anticipated to increase significantly.

Source: The Guardian