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.
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."
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."
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:
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I tried this free hack for keeping your car cool without AC during a heatwave
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."
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