The Liberal Democrats have urged the Government to mandate the installation of air conditioning or other air cooling systems in all new homes, schools, and hospitals across the UK. The party's environment spokesperson, Tim Farron, warned that the nation is "woefully unprepared for extreme heat", a concern amplified as parts of eastern England brace for another heatwave with amber heat health alerts issued.
Mr. Farron emphasised the need for future homes to be "climate-ready and prepared" for increasingly extreme temperatures. He suggested that the cost to developers for installing such systems would be minimal compared to overall construction expenses, and that cooler homes would prove more attractive to buyers. The party also proposed that the Government should fund the cooling systems for essential public buildings, suggesting the cost for hospitals could come from its proposed £10bn NHS investment plan.
Currently, only a small fraction of UK homes feature built-in air conditioning, with a 2023-2024 survey indicating the figure for England stands at 4.3%. This contrasts sharply with projections from the Climate Change Committee (CCC), the UK's independent climate change adviser, which estimated earlier this year that 92% of existing homes could be at risk of overheating by 2050. The CCC's report also warned that climate impacts could cost the UK between £60bn and £260bn annually, significantly more than the £7bn to £22bn needed to implement protective measures.
However, the proposal has drawn debate regarding the most effective and sustainable approach to keeping buildings cool. While air conditioning or reversible heat pumps are seen by some, like Amanda Williams of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), as having a "crucial role in some circumstances," making them a default option "risks locking in higher energy consumption." Michael Whittall, a sustainability manager at Fairview New Homes, highlighted the 'urban heat island effect', where air conditioning units can increase outdoor temperatures, particularly in dense urban areas. Experts like Mr. Whittall advocate for a focus on "passive cooling" methods, including improved design, shading, and ventilation, to create homes that remain comfortable for most of the year.
A Government spokesperson confirmed that current regulations require homes to be designed to minimise unwanted heat, and developers have the option to install air conditioning. They added that these rules are currently under review to ensure maximum effectiveness. The Home Builders Federation noted that new build homes are already required to be exceptionally well insulated, which contributes to keeping them cooler in summer and warmer in winter, making them more comfortable and cheaper to run than older properties.