South England's Cool Clash: Air Conditioning Boom Sparks Heat Debate

The debate about air conditioning is heating up in the South of England as more people struggle with rising temperatures. According to a survey by the University of Reading, only 4. 3 percent of homes in England have built-in air conditioning. This means that most people have to find other ways to stay cool during heatwaves. Oliver Sanders, who lives in Didcot, is one of the many people who recently decided to install air conditioning in his home. He explained that his bedroom reached 27 degrees Celsius by mid-morning, making it almost unbearable to stay upstairs. The recent heatwaves have broken records, caused hospitals to declare emergencies, and even damaged roads and buildings.

Tristan Spence, who owns an air conditioning installation company in Oxfordshire, says that demand for air conditioning has increased a lot. He is now fully booked until January, especially with requests from owners of new-build homes. These new homes are built with good insulation, which helps keep them warm in winter. However, this same insulation can trap heat inside during the summer, making the houses very hot. Tristan says that many people did not worry about hot summers before, but the recent heat has changed their minds. He points out that the heat stored in brick and concrete can make city temperatures up to 7 degrees higher than in the countryside, especially at night. This is known as the urban heat island effect, and it can be dangerous because people need cooler air to rest at night.

While air conditioning can help cool homes, some experts warn that it is not a perfect solution. Air conditioning does not get rid of heat; it just moves it outside, which can make the air in the streets even warmer. This can lead to more people wanting air conditioning, creating a cycle that makes the problem worse. Nethmi Kariyawasam from the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University suggests that people should try passive cooling methods first. These include using shades, shutters, and designing buildings to stay cool. She also recommends using fans, which use less energy and are cheaper than air conditioning. However, she admits that in places like hospitals and schools, air conditioning is sometimes necessary. The discussion about air conditioning in the South continues as people look for the best ways to stay comfortable during hotter summers.