How much does air conditioning cost to run in UK homes?
Most UK homes are generally built for insulation as opposed to ventilation, which can definitely exacerbate the heat issue during warmer days.
Due to the increasing interest in air conditioning in the UK, some people might have questions about how much it costs to run.
Most UK homes do not have air conditioning (Image: Getty Images)
Checkatrade member and air conditioning expert Matthew Powell has provided some answers about what people can expect.
How much does air conditioning cost to install?
If you're looking to install air conditioning, taking the size of the room you want to keep cool is crucial.
BTU (British thermal unit) is the measurement used to calculate the size of the air conditioning unit needed for a space.
The main factor that determines this is room size, taking into account factors such as ceiling height, windows and doors.
Matthew explains: "A 12000 BTU system is usually suitable for an average-sized bedroom.
"The average cost of a 12000 BTU wall-mounted unit is £750. Installation costs for a wall-mounted unit tend to average around £1,150.
"Larger spaces may require a ducted system, which has a fan attached to the exterior of the property.
"Costs for these are slightly higher - around £990-£1,450 per unit with labour costs around £1,460-£2,100 per unit."
How much does air conditioning cost to run in UK homes?
A modern, professionally installed 12,000 BTU unit for a bedroom will typically cost between 30p and 50p per hour to run on a cooling setting, depending on your energy tariff.
Matthew adds: "It's crucial that the unit is correctly sized for the room by a professional; an undersized unit will run constantly and be inefficient, while an oversized one will cool the room too quickly and switch off, leading to poor humidity control."
Should you get air conditioning?
The big question now for many is whether you should get air conditioning in the first place, which may come down to your tolerance for heatwave temperatures.
Recommended reading:
Matthew shares that there could be long-term benefits if you look to sell your home in the future.
He explains: "Research amongst estate agents shows that they would expect a home with air con to fetch £4,925 more if sold in summer versus winter. So if you do get air conditioning installed, selling your home in summer could help pay back some of the costs.
"In addition, many modern air conditioning units are actually reversible heat pumps. This means they can provide highly efficient heating during the winter, as well as cooling in the summer. This may make the cost more justifiable for some."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion United
25 minutes ago
- Fashion United
Paul Smith extends Fashion Residency programme to US with CFDA
British designer Paul Smith has expanded his brand's existing Fashion Residency programme to students in the US. In partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), for the initiative's second edition the Paul Smith Foundation will be selecting one American designer to join the residency at Studio Smithfield in London. The inaugural US participant, who will be part of the Paul Smith's Foundation x CFDA Designer-in-Residence, will join six UK-based designers in receiving a 400 square foot studio space for 12 months, supported by Projekt. Each designer will also receive mentoring from industry leaders, business-planning training, a visa, flights and living expenses. Applications for the second cohort of the programme have now been opened, with shortlisted candidates associated with the CFDA-led arm to begin interviews in September 2025. Designer Paul Smith will oversee the selection process alongside CFDA president, Steven Kolb, and vice president of program strategies/education and sustainability initiatives at CFDA, Sara Kozlowski. Launched in 2024, Paul Smith founded the Fashion Residency at Studio Smithfield programme alongside the Mayor of London and Projekt. Through it, select young designers are given access to set workspace and a training programme, the latter designed by the Paul Smith's Foundation, which matches participants with industry professionals. In a statement, Kolb said: 'Fashion is truly a global business, and an opportunity such as this will provide one American talent with invaluable experience and exposure in an international market. The chance to work alongside peers in the UK fosters creative exchange, builds cross-cultural understanding, and strengthens our industry as a whole. We are deeply grateful to Sir Paul Smith for his continued collaboration and dedication to nurturing the next generation of talent.'
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Warm Home Discount: Martin Lewis urges Brits to act fast
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Millions more households qualify for energy bill help this year, but time is running out ⏳ Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Martin Lewis has warned millions to check eligibility for the £150 Warm Home Discount To qualify, your name must be on your electricity bill by August 24, 2025 Scheme helps households on certain benefits cut winter energy costs in England, Scotland and Wales Payments are automatic for most in England/Wales, but many in Scotland must apply Park home residents can also apply from August 27, but funding is limited Millions of households could get £150 knocked off their energy bills this winter – but only if they act fast. Consumer champion Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert team has issued a warning to check now whether you're set to receive the Warm Home Discount, a government scheme designed to help with rising energy costs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The most common reason people miss out on the Warm Home Discount is because their name isn't on their electricity bill by the qualifying date. Even if you're eligible for the right benefit, you'll get nothing if the account is in someone else's name. While 2.7 million more people qualify this year, many could miss out simply because their name isn't on their energy bill by the qualifying date. (Photos: Getty Images) | Getty Images With energy costs still high and winter approaching, £150 can make a real difference, and the deadline to get the correct name on your electricity bill is fast approaching - Sunday, August 24, 2025. If you've moved recent, you could still get the discount – but you must ensure your name is on your new electricity account by August 24. Don't assume this happens automatically; contact your supplier to confirm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What is the Warm Home Discount? The Warm Home Discount is a yearly £150 payment towards energy costs for eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales. It's normally applied directly to your electricity account between October 2025 and March 2026, but if your supplier provides both electricity and gas, you may be able to have it applied to your gas bill instead. You'll need to ask your supplier about this. How it works in England and Wales If you live in England or Wales and receive a qualifying means-tested benefit, you should get the payment automatically – as long as your supplier is part of the scheme and you're named on your electricity account by 24 August 2025. Qualifying benefits include: Housing Benefit Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Income Support Pension Credit Universal Credit You can check eligibility via the government's Warm Home Discount online tool. But first, confirm your energy supplier offers the Warm Home Discount. Most large suppliers do, but if yours doesn't, you won't get it even if you qualify. How it works in Scotland In Scotland, the scheme is different. Payment is usually automatic for Pension Credit (guarantee element) recipients, if you're named on your bill by 24 August 2025. Others on certain benefits may qualify under the 'broader group', but you must apply directly to your supplier. Funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis – so apply as soon as possible in October. If you live in a park home and don't have a direct electricity account, you can still get the £150 if you meet the income or benefit criteria. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Applications open August 27, 2025 via the Charis Grants website. Funding is limited, so apply early each year. Visit Warm Home Discount pages or your energy supplier's website for full eligibility details. How the £150 is paid If you are on a standard credit or smart prepayment meter, the £150 will be added as credit to your electricity account automatically. Those on more 'traditional' prepayment meters will be sent a top-up voucher by post, email or text, which you can redeem at the Post Office or a PayPoint shop. You'll need ID such as a passport or driving licence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers. Utility Warehouse Cut costs by bundling household bills with Utility Warehouse (aff) £ 0.00 Buy now Buy now With household expenses continuing to rise and energy bills still higher than pre-crisis levels, more people are turning to Utility Warehouse (UW) to save money. UW lets you bundle services like broadband, mobile, energy and insurance into one streamlined account—reducing hassle while unlocking multi-service discounts. The more you bundle, the more you save. Customers benefit from a single monthly bill, up to £400 towards early exit fees, and access to cashback on everyday spending. UW also offers the UK's cheapest variable energy tariff when bundled, helping shield households from further price hikes. Find out more about switching to Utility Warehouse
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Students accepted on UK degree courses reaches record high
A total of 439,180 applicants have gained a place at university or college – up 3.1% on the same point last year, according to data published by the university admissions service. Ucas said it is the highest number of placed students on results day on record. Overall, 82% of UK 18-year-old applicants awaiting a decision on results day secured their first choice – which was the same proportion as last year. For 18-year-olds in the UK, 255,130 applicants have been accepted onto a university or college course – up 4.7% on last year, which is a record high. The number of international students who have been accepted on to undergraduate courses has risen by 2.9% – from 51,170 last year to 52,640. Accepted applicants from China (12,380) are up 13% compared with last year. The figures come as universities have been warning of financial pressures because of uncertainty about the recruitment of overseas students as well as years of frozen tuition fees for domestic students. University leaders have suggested the Government's plans for immigration could deter international students from coming to the UK and exacerbate the financial challenges faced by British universities. Under the immigration white paper proposals, graduate visas will be reduced to 18 months and a new levy on income that universities generate from international students could be introduced. Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith of Malvern said the complete picture on international student demand will not be known 'for some time' as many are postgraduates who do not apply through Ucas. She told the PA news agency: 'We've been clear, whether or not it's whilst thinking about the immigration white paper, or the welcome we provide to students, that we will always continue to welcome the very brightest and best to come to this country to study in our universities. 'Whilst we're pleased for students to take advantage of world-leading higher education institutions, we're not prepared for them to take advantage of our immigration system.' When asked whether she believes a university could go bust this academic year because of financial pressures, Baroness Smith told PA: 'I think we're taking the action necessary to safeguard our higher education institutions.' She said: 'Were we to face a situation where a university got into trouble, our top priority would be how we protect students and it's sensible to plan for that. 'That doesn't mean that I think that that is imminently going to happen.' Speaking on A-level results day, the education minister added: 'We've always been clear that the priority in the case of any university, for whatever reason, closing down would be the ongoing support of the students.' Baroness Smith said she expected universities to have 'plans to protect students' in the event of any course closures and for the Office for Students (OfS) to 'keep a close eye' on it. Ucas data also showed regional disparities remain in university access, with the gap between north-east England and London the highest on record. Overall, 24.9% of 18-year-olds from north-east England secured a university place on results day, compared with 43.4% of 18-year-olds from London. The gap is now 18.5 percentage points, up from 17.3 percentage points last year and 11.9 percentage points in 2019. Jo Saxton, chief executive of Ucas, told PA: 'The North East is the only region in England that has seen a decrease in participation today. 'That is just incredibly stark.' The Ucas figures released on Thursday also show that the subjects with the largest percentage increases in placed students this year are engineering and technology, mathematical sciences and law. Dr Saxton said: 'I think Ucas applicants have always been savvy and think about what is going to give them the best outcomes.' She added: 'This year's students were just thirteen when the pandemic hit, and their secondary schooling was turned upside down. 'It's great to see these applicants securing a university place in record numbers, seeking more education and investing in their futures. 'I am equally delighted to see how universities across the country have responded to their ambition. 'For any student who didn't quite get the grades they were hoping for, or even those still yet to apply, there are plenty of options in clearing with around 27,000 available courses. 'Ucas experts are also available on the phones, on social media and on the Ucas website, to help all those deciding on the next step that's right for them.'
