Air conditioning has traditionally been seen as a luxury in the UK, something reserved for offices, cars, and holidays abroad. That's changing fast. As summers get hotter and heatwaves become more frequent, demand for air conditioning units, portable AC units, and home cooling systems has surged, with many retailers reporting stock shortages during peak summer months.

In this post, we'll explain how air conditioning actually works, why demand for AC in the UK is growing so quickly, the benefits and drawbacks of air conditioning (including using it for heating), and how infrared heating offers a smarter, more discreet alternative for year-round comfort, an approach that's already popular in warmer climates abroad.

How Air Conditioning Works

An air conditioning unit works by extracting warm air from a room, passing it over a refrigerant coil to remove heat and moisture, and then circulating the now-cooled air back into the space. The extracted heat is expelled outside via an exhaust hose (in portable AC units) or an external condenser unit (in split-system air conditioning).

Most AC units also dehumidify the air as part of this process, which is why rooms often feel noticeably less "sticky" once an air conditioning unit has been running for a while.

Why Air Conditioning Demand Is Growing in the UK

Air conditioning was historically a rarity in UK homes, largely because the British climate simply didn't call for it. That's shifted considerably in recent years.

Hotter, More Frequent Heatwaves

The UK has recorded a growing number of extreme heat events in recent summers, with temperatures increasingly pushing into the low-to-mid 30s°C. Homes built for retaining heat, rather than shedding it, can become genuinely uncomfortable, and in some cases unsafe, during prolonged hot spells.

Poor Suitability of UK Housing for Heat

Much of the UK's housing stock was built with heat retention in mind rather than cooling, featuring good insulation, smaller windows, and limited airflow. This makes British homes particularly prone to overheating once outdoor temperatures rise, driving many homeowners to seek out an air conditioning unit or portable air conditioning solution as a quick fix.

Increased Awareness and Affordability

Portable air conditioning units have become significantly cheaper and more widely available in the UK retail market, making AC accessible to a much broader range of households than in previous decades.

Why AC Units Keep Selling Out

Every time a heatwave hits, the same story plays out: retailers report air conditioning units and portable AC units selling out within days. This happens for a few key reasons:

• Reactive rather than planned buying — most UK households only think about buying an AC unit once a heatwave has already started, creating a sudden spike in demand that outpaces stock.

• Limited UK-based stockholding — because air conditioning hasn't traditionally been a high-demand product in the UK, many retailers hold lower stock levels compared to countries where AC is a year-round essential.

• Supply chain lag — replenishing stock takes time, and by the time new shipments arrive, the heatwave (and the surge in demand) has often already passed.

This cycle repeats most summers, leaving many households scrambling for a portable air conditioning unit, often at inflated prices, once a heatwave is already underway.

The Benefits of Air Conditioning

Despite the drawbacks we'll cover shortly, air conditioning does offer genuine benefits, which explains its growing popularity.

Fast, Effective Cooling

An AC unit can bring a room's temperature down quickly, offering immediate relief during a heatwave.

Dehumidification

By removing moisture from the air, air conditioning can make a room feel more comfortable, even at the same temperature, compared to humid, muggy conditions.

Improved Sleep During Hot Weather

Cooler bedroom temperatures are widely recognised as beneficial for sleep quality, which is a major driver behind bedroom-specific portable AC unit purchases.

Can Air Conditioning Be Used for Heating?

Many modern air conditioning units, particularly split-system units, include a reverse-cycle heating function, allowing the same unit to provide warmth during colder months by reversing the refrigeration cycle and extracting heat from outside air.

While this dual-purpose functionality sounds appealing, it comes with some notable drawbacks worth considering.

The Drawbacks of Air Conditioning

Stuffy, Uneven Heat

When used for heating, air conditioning circulates warm air in a way that many users describe as stuffy or drying, particularly compared to more direct forms of heating. Because it relies on moving air around a room, it can also create uneven temperature zones, with some areas remaining noticeably cooler than others.

High Running Costs

Air conditioning units, particularly portable ones, are relatively energy-intensive, especially when running for extended periods during a heatwave or when used as a primary heating source in winter. This can lead to a noticeable spike in electricity bills.

Noise

Most AC units, particularly portable ones, produce a consistent compressor and fan noise, which some users find disruptive, especially overnight.

Seasonal Underuse

For most of the UK year, an air conditioning unit purchased primarily for summer cooling sits unused, representing a significant investment for a relatively short cooling season.

Why Air Conditioning Is So Popular Abroad

In countries with consistently hot climates, such as much of Southern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, air conditioning is considered an essential utility rather than a luxury. Homes and buildings are commonly designed around AC systems from the outset, with dedicated wall units, ducting, and external condensers built into the architecture.

Because cooling is needed for the majority of the year in these climates, the investment in a permanent air conditioning system makes far more practical and financial sense than it currently does for most of the UK.

How Infrared Heating Fits Into the Picture

Interestingly, in many of these same warmer countries, when heating is needed, it's typically only required for a small proportion of the year. This is precisely where infrared heating has found strong popularity abroad, offering effective, on-demand warmth without the need for a bulky, permanently installed heating system.

Discreet, Decor-Friendly Design

Because infrared panels are only needed for a fraction of the year in these climates, homeowners abroad have increasingly favoured discreet infrared solutions that blend seamlessly into interior design, rather than committing valuable wall space to a large, always-visible heating system. Two approaches are particularly popular:

• Printed infrared panels disguised as artwork, mounted at picture height on walls, providing effective heat while doubling as a decorative feature

• Ceiling-mounted infrared panels, positioned out of the way entirely, freeing up wall space while still delivering direct, efficient warmth exactly where it's needed

This approach allows homeowners to enjoy targeted, efficient heating for the cooler months without a heating system dominating the room for the rest of the year, an appealing proposition for any climate where heating is only a seasonal need.

A Model Worth Considering for the UK

As UK homeowners increasingly juggle both summer cooling needs and winter heating requirements, the infrared approach popular abroad, efficient, targeted, and visually unobtrusive, offers a compelling model. Rather than investing in a bulky AC unit that sits idle for most of the year, or a conventional heating system that dominates a room, infrared panels can be installed discreetly (including as printed artwork panels or ceiling-mounted units) and used precisely when needed.

Our infrared heating panels are:

• CE, UKCA, TUV, GS, and RoHS certified

• IP54 rated as standard (IP65 available for the Solstice Mirror Panel)

• Built from durable stainless steel

• Backed by a 10-year warranty

• Designed for a 30-year design life

• Zero annual servicing required

Get in Touch

Whether you're weighing up an air conditioning unit for the summer or looking for a more discreet, efficient way to heat your home through the colder months, our team can help you find the right solution. Get in touch with our team for a no-obligation consultation, or browse our full range of infrared heating panels, including options designed to blend seamlessly into your decor.