Ten years ago, hardly anyone we knew had air conditioning at home. Now we fit it every week. Summers have got hotter, more of us work from home, and lots of people have realised a modern unit heats as well as cools. For a bedroom that bakes every July, a home office in the loft or a conservatory you can’t use half the year, it’s usually worth it. If you just need to get through a few warm nights a year, a good fan might do. Our air conditioning page shows what we fit across Bristol and Bath, and here’s how to decide.
Why more homes are putting it in
The weather’s the obvious one. UK heatwaves are more frequent than they used to be, and houses built to hold heat in winter are very good at holding it in summer too.
Working from home is the other. A spare bedroom or loft office that’s fine for an hour gets unbearable over a full working day in July.
And the kit has changed. The wall-mounted split units we fit are quiet, efficient and work in reverse as a heat pump, so you get heating out of them for most of the year as well.
Signs your home would benefit
You’ll probably know already, but these are the ones we hear most:
- you can’t sleep on summer nights because the bedroom won’t cool down
- a loft conversion or top-floor flat that’s like an oven by mid-afternoon
- a conservatory or garden room that’s too hot in summer and too cold in winter
- a home office where you can’t concentrate once the sun’s round
- someone in the house who really struggles in the heat, like a baby or an elderly relative
- one room your central heating never quite reaches
If more than one of those sounds like your house, it’s worth a conversation.
Air conditioning or fans?
Fans are cheap, and they’re fine for a few hot days. But they only move air around. On a properly hot day, a fan is blowing warm air at you.
Air conditioning actually takes heat out of the room. It also pulls moisture out of the air, which is why an air-conditioned room feels so much fresher than one with a fan on.
Portable units sit in between. They’re cheap to buy and need no installation, but they’re noisy, they need a hose out of a window and they’re much less efficient than a proper split system.
Cheaper ways to keep cool first
Before spending money, these help:
- close curtains or blinds on sunny windows during the day
- open windows at night and close them in the morning
- keep the heat sources down: ovens, tumble dryers and lights all add heat
- use a fan with a bowl of ice in front of it for a quick fix
If you’ve done all of that and the room’s still too hot, that’s when air conditioning earns its keep.
What does it cost?
A single-room system from us could be as low as £1,600. Bigger rooms, longer pipe runs and multi-room systems cost more.
Running costs depend on how much you use it and your electricity tariff. Modern units are efficient, especially compared with portable ones or electric heaters, but they’re not free to run. We’ve broken prices down further in how much does it cost to install air con.
Is it good for your health?
It can help. A cool bedroom makes a real difference to sleep. Filters in the indoor unit catch dust and some pollen, and the drier air can make a room feel less stuffy.
It’s not a medical device, though, and the filters only help if they’re kept clean. A neglected unit can do the opposite.
Air conditioning in Bristol and Bath homes
A lot of what we fit round here goes into loft conversions in Victorian terraces, top-floor flats in Clifton and Redland, and home offices that started life as box rooms. Have a look at our Westbury on Trym home office for a typical job.
In Bath, we see a lot of attic rooms and conservatories. Listed buildings and conservation areas need a bit more thought about where the outdoor unit goes, but it can usually be done.
Frequently asked questions
Does air conditioning add value to a house?
It can make a home more attractive to buyers, especially a top-floor flat or a house with a big loft room, but there’s no fixed figure. Think of it as something you’re buying for your own comfort first. If it helps when you sell, that’s a bonus.
Can air conditioning heat my home in winter?
Yes. The split units we fit work as heat pumps and heat as well as cool. For a single room, they can be a very efficient way to add heat. We cover it in can air conditioning be used as a heater in winter.
Is it noisy?
Not much. The indoor units we fit run very quietly, and the outdoor unit is placed away from bedrooms and neighbours where possible. See are air conditioning units noisy for more.
Do I need planning permission?
Usually not, in England. Most home air conditioning is covered by permitted development, but listed buildings, conservation areas and flats can be different. Our post on planning permission for air conditioning explains it.
Thinking about air conditioning?
Ring us on 01275 400 687 or get in touch online for a free survey. We’ll tell you honestly whether it’s worth it for your home.