Get that Air Con – you won’t regret it (part 1)
Warming weather trends now mean we regularly have around 40 hot days (25°C or more) each year in London and the South East. (It’s that fine threshold between enjoying blue skies and sunshine to suffocating through muggy summer nights.)
Despite this only an estimated 4 to 7% of UK homes have built-in air conditioning systems! [1, 2] Come on now. It’s 2026. We have self-driving cars and AI in our smartwatches but not air con?
To help you finally decide if you should bite the bullet and buy an air conditioning system for your home, we scoured the internet far and wide for testimonials.
Brits asked fellow Brits for air conditioner recommendations, what air con units do people have in their homes, is it worth it for the UK summer weather, or are they just a waste of money?
Here are real people’s real experiences on forums.
“Best thing I have ever done”
When I say that countless testimonials regard their AC installation as the best decision they made that year, its not just me saying it. And ‘best’ isn’t hyperbole. It’s literally what satisfied customers have said:
“Best decision of my life. … Priceless.” [3]
“We got one during the May [2026] heatwave and it’s honestly one of the best investments we’ve ever made.” [4]
“Air con unit was the best thing we ever bought.” [5]
“If anyone’s spending 50-80k on a loft conversion, spend the extra grand or two and get a proper split unit, best money you’ll ever spend.” [6]
“Yeah I’ve just got proper AC installed and my god it’s incredible!” [7]
“Modest 3 bed semi whole house and it’s the best thing I have ever done. It’s not too expensive to run … about [£]2.50 a day.” [8]
“Its my favorite invention. There is nothing like AC …” [3]
Think about how many things we unnecessarily splash out on: “It has more than paid it’s dues, best investment I ever made.” [9]
“You will get your moneys worth.” [4]
Just do it (you won’t regret it)
Hesitation, inaction, and fear of the unknown stops many from taking action. And many further justify their inaction with how they’ll survive with a fan and some Cornetto ice cream.
“Stop complaining of the heat every year and just spend the damn money … IT’S WORTH IT” [10]
“We spent 4k getting AC installed last year and have no regrets.” [6]
“I wish people could understand this but it’s like some weird mental block. They complain about only needing aircon for a few days a year and that it’s totally unnecessary … it’s nuts.” [9]
“Every year, for those few weeks when it’s needed, everyone envies me and tells me I’m so lucky. Luck’s got nothing to do with it. You just buy one.” [5]
Oh, how we envy the lucky and curse at those who took action. If only we knew what stood on the other side of our fear, how much better our lives would be.
Don’t let the heat impact your good night’s sleep
“It’s a no brainer, especially if you value getting a good nights sleep.” [4]
“I have good comfortable sleeps at whatever temperature I want with no noise …” [10]
“I wish I would have gotten it sooner. Being able to get proper sleep and not waking up a hot sweaty mess is worth every penny.” [4]
“Honestly it is such a game changer. It means for those 31 days or whatever I can actually sleep at night.” [10]
Best investment I ever made
Air conditioners help you get more done
“I physically could not be in my office room so no work got done … now I can get solid days [worth of work done] …” [11]
“[I] am infinitely more productive at work and [it] pays for itself in that respect.” [12]
Portable A/C units are not that great
Don’t make the mistake of thinking a portable air conditioning unit from Screwfix will solve all your problems. They do manage to cool bedrooms but the noise and poor efficiency are the deal breakers for most people.
“Be aware that they make an absolute racket.” [3]
“You know the saying “can’t hear yourself think?” That’s exactly what it’s like.” [7]
Simply by design portable air cons are more energy hungry. Single hose units (the most common type) “have to suck warm air into the room to replace the hot air they expell out … Without the 2nd hose … you end up with ambient hot air being brought into the room reducing the effectiveness of the AC. … The dual hose system will help with the efficiency, and that low pressure issue … but the noise will remain the same.” [13]
“You have to install a mini-split … before AC is “good” … they are 10000x better than any portable AC.” [14]
Portable air cons are the gateway to split air con units
You bought it, and now you just want it to work. No hassle, no fuss. Experience is a great teacher.
“I had one of those crappy, fabric, zip close, Velcro’s to the window frame things to put the hose through. … Going to install some Daikin split units next year.” [15]
“We moved house and got a proper split system in our loft conversion and it’s WAY better.” [16]
“An AC is for life, not just for heatwaves.” [9]
“I use it probably as much in the winter as I do in the summer …” [6]
“Get used plenty through summer for cooling and lounge one sometimes in winter for heating …” [10]
“Our heating bills this winter went down significantly.” [17] (bills went down, not didn’t go up)
“Honestly we use ours much more than just a few weeks a year.” [3]
Buy once. Love it. Buy some more.
“Got A/C fitted into our garden gym room we built last year … Definitely want to get A/C fitted into the main house next year.” [10]
We’re here to support you
We understand. You’re fully justified for just wanting comfort. There is zero shame in this. AC is already in everyone’s cars. First they’ll laugh and ridicule you. Choose us and next year they’ll envy you.
“My wife went from ‘Why did you waste money on that?’ to ‘Shall I go up and put the aircon on’ in 1 night.” [3]
“We used to have heat waves that lasted a day or two every few years. Now it’s heatwaves that last a week, multiple times a year. … I’m not stupid and the writings on the wall …” [9]
“Helps me a lot with my medical condition (type 1 diabetes and blood sugars go sky high in the heat, so keeping cool helps keep my blood sugars level).” [4]
Don’t get left behind – many are already making plans. “When we next move, it will be one of the first things to be installed. … “We’re getting our loft converted soon and I’m seriously considering getting a split unit installed.” [3]
“It’s the future …” [4]
Sources:
- https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/22/air-conditioning-uk-homes-doubles
- https://www.reading.ac.uk/news/2026/Research-News/The-most-at-risk-from-heat-have-the-least-air-con
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1iijku0/do_you_have_air_conditioning_is_it_worth_it/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/london/comments/1ubgg5w/anyone_else_cave_and_bought_an_air_con/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/145xjry/have_you_bought_an_air_conditioning_unit/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1ldsjii/is_air_con_going_to_become_more_and_more/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK/comments/1kayz3w/who_here_owns_a_portable_air_conditioning_unit/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/137h561/is_buying_ac_worth_it_for_this_summer/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/DIYUK/comments/1ugwzmb/almost_time_to_return_those_ac_units/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1lhf6f2/those_of_you_with_a_portablebuilt_in_aircon_unit/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/os2qrz/is_air_conditioning_worth_it_in_the_uk/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/14jgfpj/do_you_have_air_con_in_your_home/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AirConditioners/comments/1qsimv8/portable_air_conditioner_in_the_uk_any/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK/comments/1tlau3p/whats_a_good_portable_air_con_option_to_make_this/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1ldsu8r/what_air_con_units_do_you_have/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/comments/1t2enqp/any_recommendations_for_an_air_con_unit_in_the_uk/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/HousingUK/comments/139h7lb/would_you_pay_more_for_air_con/
