Demand for air conditioning installation is rising sharply across the UK and parts of Europe as prolonged periods of extreme heat place growing pressure on homes, workplaces and public buildings, according to new platform data from MyBuilder.com.
The tradesperson hiring platform reported that UK requests for air conditioning installation increased by 150 per cent year on year. Similar growth has been recorded elsewhere in Europe, with requests climbing 152 per cent in Germany and 114 per cent in the Netherlands.
The figures point to changing attitudes towards domestic cooling in Britain, where air conditioning has traditionally been far less common than in warmer European countries. Successive heatwaves and increasingly uncomfortable indoor temperatures are now prompting more households to consider permanent cooling systems.
Heatwaves Put Pressure on UK Homes and Workplaces
The surge in demand comes after periods of exceptionally hot weather caused disruption across Britain during the summer.
Schools faced closures during the July heatwave, while a recent report suggested that extreme temperatures could have cost the UK economy £4 billion by the end of that month.
The economic impact extends beyond direct disruption. Persistently high overnight temperatures can make it more difficult for people to sleep and recover from the working day, potentially affecting productivity and wellbeing.
With Britain experiencing another spell of hot weather this week, demand for ways to keep residential and commercial properties cooler appears likely to remain elevated.
Cooling Demand Extends Beyond Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is not the only area seeing increased consumer interest. According to MyBuilder.com, high temperatures across Europe have also led to increased enquiries for other cooling measures, including ceiling fans, shutters and outdoor awnings.
Such improvements can provide households with alternatives to permanent air conditioning installations, particularly in properties where fitting a full system may be difficult or costly.
However, Britain’s housing stock presents particular challenges during prolonged periods of heat. Many properties have historically been designed to retain warmth during colder months rather than release excess heat during summer.
Andy Simms, a home expert from MyBuilder.com said: “Unfortunately, many of our homes are just not equipped to deal with extremely hot weather. Historically, homes in the UK have been built more with the idea of keeping heat in than letting it out.
“But the last few years have seen record levels of heat and for prolonged periods of time, making it hard to stay comfortable in our own homes. The buildings act like heat traps, and it’s extremely uncomfortable – and sometimes even dangerous – to have no relief from it.
Aircon Requests Jumped 850 Per Cent During June Heatwave
The annual growth figures are substantial, but MyBuilder.com’s data indicates that demand can increase far more dramatically during individual periods of extreme weather.
Simms said the platform recorded an 850 per cent increase in UK air conditioning demand during the first week of the June heatwave. Germany and the Netherlands also experienced sharp increases of 514 per cent and 500 per cent respectively during the same period.
“We’re seeing a rise in demand for these systems as the heatwaves continue, and more Brits than ever realise that air conditioning may be becoming a necessity as temperatures continue to rise. In fact, during the first week of the June heatwave, we saw demand for aircon in the UK increase 850 per cent! And Germany and the Netherlands were close behind at 514 and 500 per cent in the same time period,
“There are various ways to cool down your home if you’re struggling – but investing in an air conditioning system might be the best way to keep your home cool and comfortable in our increasingly sticky summers.”
Hotter Summers Could Reshape the UK Home Improvement Market
The increase in enquiries suggests cooling could become a more significant part of Britain’s home improvement market if periods of extreme summer heat continue.
While air conditioning has historically been viewed as an optional feature in most UK homes, repeated heatwaves are encouraging households and businesses to reassess how buildings cope with high temperatures.
For tradespeople and installation companies, that shift could create a growing seasonal market for air conditioning, ventilation and other cooling improvements. For property owners, meanwhile, decisions over cooling are increasingly becoming part of wider considerations around comfort, productivity and how Britain’s buildings adapt to hotter summers.
George Orwell is a writer and contributor covering politics, society, culture, and current affairs. His work focuses on providing clear analysis and thoughtful commentary on the issues shaping modern Britain and the wider world, helping readers better understand complex topics.
