As Britain swelters through its hottest summer on record, a growing number of households are turning to air conditioning as an essential tool against soaring temperatures. But experts warn that relying solely on AC units can be a costly and environmentally unfriendly solution – especially when basic measures like proper insulation and external shading are overlooked.
Proper deployment of air conditioning is a major concern, with many homes in the UK struggling to keep cool due to inadequate building standards. Simple solutions like installing external shades or louvres can reduce internal temperatures by up to 18°C – making individual AC units less effective and more wasteful. 'Throwing money down the drain' is how some experts describe installing air conditioning without addressing these fundamental issues first.
Smith Mordak, former CEO of the UK Green Building Council, advocates for a 'progressive' approach to air conditioning that prioritises efficiency and public benefit. He likens individual AC units to bottled water solutions, suggesting shared, accessible, and transformative alternatives – like external shading or louvres – should be used wherever possible. During peak heatwaves, targeted use of moderate air conditioning may be necessary in specific cases, but it should complement rather than replace lower-emission cooling methods.
Strategic air conditioning could significantly improve public health and societal function in urban areas by ensuring that public transport systems remain comfortably cool. Unlike buildings, trains and buses cannot easily incorporate external shading or insulation, making this a vital aspect of urban resilience. However, despite its importance, many London buses – over 90% – still lack air-cooling systems, highlighting the stark contrast between private taxi comforts and public transport priorities.
The economic implications for UK households and businesses are substantial, with inefficient AC usage driving up energy bills and exacerbating the cost of living crisis. For businesses, particularly those reliant on physical premises or customer-facing services, comfortable indoor temperatures can impact productivity and customer experience. The broader economic impact of widespread, uncoordinated AC adoption without energy efficiency measures could strain the national grid, potentially leading to increased demand for fossil fuels and higher wholesale electricity prices.