By Sarah Macklin 
The summer of 2025 will go down as one of the hottest on record. Average UK temperatures were 1.5°C above normal, peaking at 35.8°C with nine separate days above 32°C. And when the heat ramped up, so did demand for air conditioning.
According to the latest Checkatrade Home Improvement Index, air-con installations jumped by 63% year-on-year between July and September, the biggest quarterly rise the site has ever recorded.
Is air conditioning now becoming a standard rather than a luxury?
Until recently, air conditioning was seen as a bit of an American quirk. Only around 5% of UK homes have it fitted, compared with roughly 90% of US homes. Our traditionally mild climate, and the solid, radiator-based design of most British housing stock, meant there was little demand.
But that’s changing. Heatwaves are now a near-annual event, and climate experts warn they’ll only become more frequent. As Checkatrade’s CEO Jambu Palaniappan puts it:
“As it becomes increasingly common for us to experience hot weather in around half of the months of the year, we could see demand rise significantly.”
What’s behind the air-con boom?
A few things are driving the air-con trend:
- Extreme temperatures: 2025 saw the warmest average summer on record, so it’s no wonder homeowners went searching for cooler nights
- Falling installation costs: Recent reports show the price of fitting a standard wall unit has dropped to around £750 to £2,800, depending on size and spec. That’s around 20% cheaper than a year ago.
- Home value boost: Air conditioning is also starting to add to resale value. MoneyWeek estimates an average uplift of nearly £5,000 for homes with an efficient system already in place.
- Changing priorities: With more people working from home, comfort is becoming a year-round investment rather than a seasonal luxury.
The increase in air-con installations had an impact elsewhere
Interestingly, the boom in cooling systems coincided with a drop in more traditional “winter prep” jobs. Checkatrade found the following work and installations dropped:
- Central heating work -16%
- Insulation fitting -18%
- Weather coating – 56%
- Damp proofing – 36%
Even building costs and kitchen fitting fell by up to 16%, suggesting that homeowners are delaying larger projects in favour of tackling the most immediate discomfort: the heat.
Is now the right time to install air-con?
As autumn cools things down, the experts say this is actually the best time to plan ahead. Booking a trusted tradesperson before next year’s summer rush means shorter lead times and potentially better prices.
The same also goes for fixing up your heating system in summer (rather than in winter).
What else should you consider when installing air conditioning?
While the appeal of a cooler home is obvious, there are a few practicalities worth thinking about before you dive in.
Energy use is one of the biggest considerations. A typical wall-mounted unit uses around 2kW of power and can cost roughly 50p per hour to run, depending on your tariff. Choosing an energy-efficient model and keeping filters clean will help keep running costs manageable.
It’s also worth looking at your home as a whole rather than treating air conditioning as a stand-alone fix. Good insulation, ventilation and shading can make a huge difference, helping you stay cool in summer and warm in winter. A well-balanced approach will give you better comfort all year round and reduce the strain on your cooling system.
Finally, think about your property’s quirks. Older or period homes may need extra planning to accommodate outdoor units or ducting, and listed buildings could have additional restrictions.
Always check whether you’ll need planning permission, particularly if the unit will be visible from the street or attached to an external wall.
Air conditioning in Britain might once have sounded unnecessary, but as our climate changes, it’s fast becoming a sensible investment.
Whether you see it as a comfort upgrade, a resale booster, or just a way to stop sticking to the sofa in July, this year’s record-breaking summer might be the moment that changed British homes for good.
