For years, air conditioning was something most of us only met on holiday or in the office. The British climate didn't seem to call for it.
That's changed. The UK has just recorded its hottest ever May day, and hot spells like this are becoming a regular feature of the British summer rather than a rare event.
So it's a fair question to ask: is air conditioning actually worth it in a UK home? Here's an honest look.
This is the bit most people don't realise. A modern air conditioning unit isn't a one-trick machine that sits idle for ten months of the year.
A single system does four jobs:
That year-round usefulness is what changes the maths. You're not paying for something you'll use for two weeks a year. You're adding a system that earns its place across all four seasons.
This is the question we get asked most, and there's a lot of guesswork out there, so here's how it actually works.
Modern air conditioning units are heat pumps. Rather than burning energy to create heat or cold, they move it, which makes them very efficient for what they do. A good unit produces several units of heating or cooling for every unit of electricity it uses.
In practical terms, running costs depend on three things: the size and efficiency of the unit, how long you run it for, and what you pay for electricity. As a reference point, the current Ofgem price cap puts the average electricity unit rate at around 24.67p per kWh. A typical domestic system running for a few hours on a hot evening uses far less energy than most people assume, often closer to running a fridge-freezer than an electric heater.
We'd always rather give you a realistic figure for your specific situation than a vague promise, so if running cost is your main concern, ask us and we'll talk you through what to expect for the room and unit you have in mind.
Yes. Air conditioning can be fitted in both modern and older properties. Cheshire has plenty of older housing stock, and a good installation is tailored to the layout, the available space and the look of the room.
A typical system has a discreet indoor unit mounted on the wall, connected to a compact outdoor unit. There's no need for major building work, and a tidy install should sit comfortably with the character of the room.
For a standard single room, most installations are completed within a day. There's minimal disruption, and a good installer will leave the place clean and tidy.
The work involves mounting the indoor unit, siting the outdoor unit, connecting the two, and testing everything works across all its modes. Because air conditioning systems contain refrigerant, installation must be carried out by a properly accredited engineer. It isn't a DIY job, and it isn't one to hand to a general handyman.
For a lot of UK homes, the answer is increasingly yes, particularly when you weigh up that you're getting cooling, heating, air circulation and dehumidifying from one system, rather than a cooling unit alone.
It comes down to your home, the rooms you'd want to cover, and how you'd use it. The honest answer is that it suits some situations better than others, and a good installer will tell you straight whether it's right for you.
We install home air conditioning across Cheshire and the North West. A single-room system starts at £1,980, with no VAT to add on top, and most are fitted in a day.
We're local, fully accredited, and rated 10/10 on Checkatrade. There are no call-out fees, and we'll quote everything before any work starts.
Get a quote or call us on 01928 733 437.
