London: Searches for UK homes equipped with air conditioning have more than doubled this summer, as repeated heatwaves prompt buyers to place greater importance on keeping properties cool alongside traditional priorities such as location, schools and transport connections.
Property website Rightmove reported a 104 percent increase in searches for homes with air conditioning compared with the same period last year. The rise came during the UK’s fifth heatwave of the summer, when temperatures in parts of England reached 38°C.
Consumer research
Rightmove’s consumer research also found that 87 percent of people consider a home’s ability to remain cool important when choosing their next property. While only 12 percent already have air conditioning, 61 percent remarked that they would consider installing it.
The growing demand comes as experts warn that rising temperatures and increasingly frequent heatwaves could make overheating a significant and growing problem for homes across the UK.
A report by the Climate Change Committee noted that up to 92 percent of existing homes could be at risk of overheating by 2050, suggesting that measures beyond simply opening windows or closing curtains may increasingly be required.
An estimated 4 million UK homes now have air conditioning, around twice the number recorded three years ago. The increase in people working from home is also believed to have contributed to demand for cooling systems.
Cooling requirements are affecting different types of properties, with air conditioning companies reporting enquiries from owners of both older homes and new builds. Loft conversions have also become a concern, with some rooms reportedly reaching temperatures as high as 50°C during hot weather.
Although air conditioning remains controversial because of its energy consumption and contribution to global emissions, interest is growing as extreme heat becomes more frequent. Some UK households using heat pumps can also use the systems to cool their homes during summer, potentially increasing demand for the technology.
Rightmove property expert Colleen Babcock said that while factors such as location, space and affordability remain important, buyers are increasingly considering how comfortable a home will be during hotter weather.
Estate agent James Waight of John D Wood & Co noted that the ability of a property to stay cool in summer while remaining warm in winter is increasingly becoming an important consideration rather than an optional feature for buyers.
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