Get that Air Con – you won’t regret it (part 2)
Why does hardly anyone in the UK have air conditioning in their homes? After all, every modern car has air con, every corner shop and retail outlet has air con, your office has air con, but “no thanks, I’ll sweat my ass off every night in my fully insulated new build”?
Make it make sense.
There’s a lot of myths and pre-conceptions that us Brits believe about having AC installed in our homes. (partly I think we love complaining about the weather as a top national pastime hobby.)
If you’ve not read part 1 of the countless testimonials of satisfied customers, do so here.
But seriously the biggest reasons why British people don’t have air conditioners are:
a) believing it costs too much for something you’re only going to use three times and;
b) normalisation of suffering, not caving in (into what exactly?) and just sticking it out.
Be the secret envy of everyone you know
“Everyone laughed when I bought one 5 years ago … [now] they just complain they can’t escape the heat.” [1]
“Husband was taken aback and kept saying it’s only a couple of days a year and it’s a waste of money. … now 2026—he is with me chilling in the sitting room and bedroom …” [2]
Install once, use for a lifetime. Every summer, every winter.
“We’ve used it every summer since. They’re definitely worth keeping.” [1]
“It’s not just used for cooling. Have a comfortable house year round.” [3]
“We heat the house in winter … as well as cooling it in summer. Much more efficient than gas central heating …” [4]
“Being used most days at the minute.” [3]
“They also work nicely during the colder periods to quickly get some warmth into those areas until the central heating kicks in.” [2]
“It is great in the hot and cold.” [5]
“Uses around 500watts and its more than enough to cool a few rooms. It’s great. Doubles as an efficient heater in the winter too.” [5]
Still not convinced? Take the plunge
“I have air con in two rooms and it’s 100% worth it. Proper Daikin split-units … Just do it.” [6]
“I bought one a couple of years ago, and friends said it was a waste of money for something I’ll only need to use a couple of days a year. Je ne regrette rien!” [2]
“If you can afford it and it makes your quality of life better, it’s a no brainer!” [2]
We heat the house in winter … Much more efficient than gas central heating
For those who Work From Home
“I had a through the wall unit put in my office two days before the high temperatures hit last year. Whole job was about £1200 and it was worth it after 20 minutes.” [7]
“We might only need it for a fraction of the year, but for that fraction of the year it makes an enormous difference. The literally difference between me being able to work from home and being too hot to even think.” [8]
For those who value their sleep
“It’s great to have an air‑conditioned room it improves our sleep a lot.” [4]
“I’ve never looked back. … I love going to bed, knowing it’s going to be a cool 16 degrees.” [9]
“The quality of our rest is significantly improved.” [4]
“Installed it the other day … It’s the difference between sleeping or not this week.” [2]
“We installed air con in our loft, which is the master bedroom, I wouldn’t be without it.” [5]
“It was a god send for sleeping” [7]
“I have the opposite of Buyers remorse.” [1]
“It’s nearly 5 years since I got air con installed at home … and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” [10]
“Worth every penny” [2]
“It’s been 3 days and it was the best decision.” [2]
“Absolute lifesaver.” [9]
“Whole house done in 2020 happy days” [2]
“It’s not a bad investment regardless of the weather. Modern split systems are very efficient, and probably heat a house better and cheaper than radiators etc.” [1]
“It really does make life a bit easier in those few hot days for your young children.” [4]
Avoid portable units … unless you like it noisy
“All portable ACs are “bad’. It’s just a limitation of the tech” [11]
“Fundamentally very noisy.” [12] … “Had to resort to subtitles on the TV as we couldn’t really hear [it] …” [10]
“A little too loud for a bedroom in my opinion. I have one and can’t sleep with it on. You should consider a split unit.” [12]
“They also take up floor space whether you’re using them or not.” [13] … “getting a proper mini split installed is a better option.” [10]
Invest in a proper unit!
“Just used my new split level system for the first time after having a Portable unit for a few years and wow so quiet. Pure luxury” [9]
“Invest in a proper unit! We had a portable one for years and it was so loud. Ever since getting a Mitsubishi unit fitted, we have slept much better and it’s super quiet. It also heats the room in the winter.” [14]
Make home A/C your next project
“If we weren’t paying for a new patio this year, I would already have had some proper split system AC installed in at least 3 rooms. Much more efficient and a million times quieter.” [8]
“I had a Daikin split unit (inverter type) installed in my office a few years back. Absolutely blown away by how efficient it is, uses maybe 100-200w to heat and cool. Super silent … Soon as I’ve finished some other projects in the house I’ll be getting it installed in a few more rooms.” [4]
Sources:
- https://www.reddit.com/r/DIYUK/comments/1ugwzmb/almost_time_to_return_those_ac_units/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/london/comments/1ubgg5w/anyone_else_cave_and_bought_an_air_con/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskBrits/comments/1uactrv/are_ac_soon_to_be_the_standard_in_every_uk_home/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1iijku0/do_you_have_air_conditioning_is_it_worth_it/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1ldsjii/is_air_con_going_to_become_more_and_more/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1ldsu8r/what_air_con_units_do_you_have/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/137h561/is_buying_ac_worth_it_for_this_summer/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1lhf6f2/those_of_you_with_a_portablebuilt_in_aircon_unit/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/145xjry/have_you_bought_an_air_conditioning_unit/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK/comments/1kayz3w/who_here_owns_a_portable_air_conditioning_unit/
- 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/1jz1uyd/what_air_conditioner_do_you_have_and_do_you_rate/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK/comments/1labwi9/portable_air_con_recommendations/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/comments/1t2enqp/any_recommendations_for_an_air_con_unit_in_the_uk/
