- The long, hot summer led to a huge uptick in demand from consumers for air conditioning installation, according to the latest Checkatrade Home Improvement Index
- Just 5 per cent of UK homes currently have air conditioning – but increasingly hot summers could see this change
- Traditional ‘winter prep’ jobs such as central heating, insulation and weather coating are also down as a result of the unseasonable weather
- Subdued demand in some areas is leading to falling costs for consumers making now a good time for consumers to get work done.
Consumer demand for air conditioning installation in UK homes has increased by two-thirds (63 per cent) year-on-year due to the record-breaking summer heat the UK has experienced this year.
Air conditioning has never gained a footing as a standard in UK homes – estimates suggest fewer than 5 per cent of UK dwellings have it. But this could be set to change as UK summers heat up and last longer.
This summer, the average temperature was +1.51 °C above the long-term average and had the highest mean temperature ever recorded – 16.1 °C. There were nine days where the temperature breached 32 °C and temperatures peaked at 35.8°C.
This uncomfortably hot weather has led to record number of homeowners fitting air conditioning between July and September, according to the Checkatrade’s latest Home Improvement Index.
The Q3 data – being released today – reveals the 63 per cent increase in air conditioning installations and follows a 23 per cent year-on-year increase the previous quarter.
In many other countries, air conditioning is far more common – around 90 per cent of homes in the USA have air conditioning, despite many parts of the US having average temperatures lower than the UK. It is also common in mainland Europe – for example, around 50 per cent of homes in countries such as Italy have air conditioning.
Record-breaking summer impacts other types of work carried out
It is not just air conditioning installations that were impacted by the unseasonably hot weather. Many traditional ‘winter preparation’ jobs that typically take place towards the end of summer and into autumn have seen falling demand.
For example, central heating work – which often spikes as Brits turn their attention to heating, rather than cooling, their home – is down by 16 per cent in Q3 2025 compared to the previous year. Likewise insulation fitting is down 18 per cent
Meanwhile, jobs even more closely tied to the weather saw larger drops. Weather coating – protective work on buildings to shield them from rain, wind, and temperature damage – is down a huge 56 per cent. Damp proofing – a treatment used to prevent moisture from penetrating walls or foundations – is down 36 per cent.
Meanwhile, traditional winter-related jobs such as chimney sweeping (-14 per cent), fireplace installation (-16 per cent) and tree surgery (-26 per cent), often instigated by wind or storm damage, are also down.
Some key costs fall
Checkatrade’s Home Improvement Index also monitors prices for all jobs carried out in the home. Subdued demand in some areas is leading to falling prices, meaning now is a good time for many consumers to consider having work carried out. Key areas which have seen year-on-year falls in average reported costs of a job are:
- Kitchen fitting costs down 11 per cent year-on-year
- Building costs down 16 per cent
- Window and door fitting costs down 31 per cent
- Bedroom fitting costs down 9 per cent
- Bricklaying costs down 7 per cent
- Plastering costs down 21 per cent
Reacting to the data, Jambu Palaniappan, CEO at Checkatrade, says: “It is fascinating to see how external factors such as the weather can have such a significant impact on the home improvement industry.
“Air conditioning has never had mass uptake in the UK for a number of reasons, such as milder weather in most months and the age and design of most homes. But as it becomes increasingly common for us to experience hot weather in around half of the months of the year, we could see demand rise significantly.
“Likewise, as temperatures drop, it’s the perfect time to get ahead with central heating and insulation work rather than waiting for the winter rush. Booking a vetted tradesperson early means you can be confident your home will stay comfortable, whatever the weather brings.”
For those interested in air conditioning Checkatrade has a handy guide to likely costs for different types of homes. Meanwhile, the experts on Checkatrade can offer a bespoke quote based on any home’s requirements.
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