Heat-vulnerable homes in England lag on air conditioning
University of Reading researchers say England’s access to home cooling is uneven as hotter summers increase health and energy risks.
By Priya Raghavan · Science Reporter
3 min read
People at greater risk during heat waves in England are less likely than many other households to have air conditioning, according to University of Reading researchers. The findings point to an emerging divide in home cooling as the U.K. faces the prospect of temperatures reaching 40 C.
The research, published by the Energy Demand Research Centre, examined responses from 15,846 households in the 2023 to 2024 English Housing Survey. The team also interviewed households that already use air conditioning.
Across England, 4.3% of homes use air conditioning, equal to about 1.06 million homes, the researchers found. But use is lower in some groups considered more vulnerable to heat, including households with someone older than 75, where the rate is 3.0%, compared with 4.6% in homes without anyone in that age group.
Single-parent families had the lowest use among household types, at 2.9%, according to the study. The researchers said homes with a young child, a baby or someone with a long-term illness used air conditioning at above-average rates, suggesting some families are turning to cooling to reduce health risks.
Dr. Rory Jones, the study’s lead author at the University of Reading, said the U.K. is moving toward a “cooling divide” in which people who need protection from heat may be least able to obtain it. Jones also said air conditioners can add heat outdoors, worsening conditions in cities for people without cooling.
Jones said older people face some of the highest health risks in heat waves but remain among the least likely to have air conditioning. He also said renters face barriers linked to cost, landlords and homes they cannot alter.
The study found sharp differences by income, region and housing type:
- Among the highest-earning fifth of households, 8.2% use air conditioning, compared with 2.5% among the lowest-earning fifth.
- London and the East of England had the highest regional use, at 6.5% each.
- The North East had the lowest regional use cited in the study, at 1.5%.
- Detached houses and bungalows had the highest use by home type, at 6.2%.
- Homes built since 2000 used air conditioning more than older homes, at 6.6%.
- People working from home at least two days a week were 42% more likely to use air conditioning.
The researchers said about 1 million of England’s 25 million homes have air conditioning now. Forecasts cited by the team suggest the number could rise to 18 million by 2050 as summers become hotter.
A rapid increase in cooling could raise electricity bills, add pressure to the power grid and increase carbon emissions, the researchers warned. They said policy should help people most exposed to heat keep homes cool without unaffordable bills.
Jones called for a national cooling strategy covering new homes that stay cooler without mechanical systems, upgrades to existing homes, protection for vulnerable households and plans that fit any growth in air conditioning with the U.K.’s climate goals and energy system.
This story draws on original reporting from Medical Xpress.