Searches for UK homes with air conditioning have more than doubled this summer as rising temperatures influence property purchasing decisions, according to data from Rightmove.
During the week of the UK’s fifth heatwave, when temperatures in parts of England reached 38C, searches on the property portal for homes with air conditioning increased by 104% compared with the same period last year.
Growing demand for cooling systems
Consumer research published by Rightmove showed that 87% of respondents considered a property’s ability to stay cool as important when choosing their next home. Additionally, 61% said they would consider installing air conditioning, though only 12% had already done so.
An estimated 4 million homes in the UK now have air conditioning, double the figure from three years ago. The increase in remote working is thought to have contributed to this demand.
The shift in buyer priorities comes as the housing market experiences broader changes in what purchasers value in properties.
Climate projections and property implications
A May report from the UK’s Climate Change Committee projected that 92% of existing homes could overheat by 2050 due to increasingly severe heatwaves. The report suggested that passive measures such as drawing curtains and opening windows may prove insufficient, potentially requiring air conditioning installations.
In May, air conditioning specialist Debonair Cooling reported enquiries from owners of both period and new-build properties, with installation costs averaging approximately £2,500 per room. The company noted particular issues with loft conversions, where temperatures have reached 50C.
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, stated: “While location, space and affordability remain key priorities, our research suggests that people are paying closer attention to how comfortable a home will be during hotter weather.”
Market context
The UK’s hottest day on record occurred in July 2022, when temperatures hit 40C. Several of the warmest summers have occurred in recent years, driving changes in property specifications and buyer expectations.
James Waight, head of sales at estate agent John D Wood & Co, said a home that could maintain comfortable temperatures year-round was “no longer simply a nice-to-have but an important factor in the decision to buy a property”.
The trend reflects a broader shift in property considerations, with energy efficiency and climate adaptation joining traditional factors such as location and transport links. Some UK homeowners with heat pumps have been able to use them for both heating and cooling, potentially increasing demand for the technology.
Air conditioning currently accounts for approximately 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In comparison to the UK market, at least 90% of households in the US and Japan have air conditioning, while fewer than a quarter of European homes are equipped with cooling systems.
