Do air-conditioned homes sell for more?

In 2026, the UK has recorded 35 days of temperatures reaching 30C or higher, so far. 

After a summer of prolonged heat, investing in air conditioning may seem more appealing than ever, whether it's to help you sleep on warm nights or simply make your home more comfortable during the day.

Installing air conditioning in your home can cost thousands of pounds. But could it also add to the value of your property?

Here, Which? looks at the potential return on your investment, the upfront and ongoing costs, and whether cheaper alternatives are worth considering.

Could air-con boost your property's value?

We spoke to several estate agents across the country and the consensus was no. Instead, it comes under the category of a 'nice to have'.

However, research from estate agent Benham and Reeves estimates that installing air-con can typically add around 2.5% to a home’s value

We wouldn't recommend installing air-con if you're solely hoping to boost your property's price. Ultimately, the location, size and type of property – all of which are difficult or impossible to change – drive its value.

What air-con is more likely to do is improve saleability. Adam Jennings, head of residential at Chestertons, told us properties equipped with air-con often enjoy a competitive advantage.  

Research by estate agent Redmayne Arnold and Harris found that homes with air-con also sold faster. When looking specifically at homes in Cambridge, those with air-con sold 10 days faster than those without (20 vs 30 days). This is unsurprising, as 65% of buyers prefer air-con, according to their research. 

• Find out more: what's happening to house prices 

How much does it cost to install?

Benham and Reeves estimates the typical cost of installing a wall-mounted air-con unit in a single room to be £1,900. 

If you want to find out the price of installing air conditioning in your home, get a quote from a Which? Trusted Trader near you. It's best practice to get at least three quotes. 

Alternatively, if you would like a quicker and cheaper option, you could explore purchasing a portable air-con unit. They range in price from £300 to almost £1,000.

• Find out more: best portable air conditioners

Make money make sense

Make every penny count. Get the best deals, avoid scams and grow your savings, with expert guidance for only £49 a year.

Join Which? Money

Where air conditioning is most common

Benham and Reeves analysed English Zoopla listings to find the areas with the highest proportion of properties featuring air-con. Overall, the agent found that 1.9% of listings in England have air-con.

Properties in London lead the way, but still only 2.8% of properties have it fitted. The North West has the lowest number of homes with air-con: only 307 properties have it, or just 1% of all listings in the region. 

Rising temperatures could drive demand 

With the UK’s climate becoming warmer, keeping cool at home is becoming a top priority during hot weather.  

The latest State of the UK Climate report, produced by the Met Office with government funding, found that the past four years have all ranked in the top five warmest on record. It reported that 2025 was the warmest year since records began in 1884.  

The report notes that extreme weather events are an integral part of the UK’s climate. This year the hottest day ever recorded in June was surpassed, with temperatures reaching 37.7°C. The hottest temperature recorded in the UK is 40.3°C, on 19 July 2022.  

The number of days over 30°C and nights over 18°C has more than quadrupled for Greater London in the past decade (2016-2025), compared to 1961-1990. That means far more muggy nights spent tossing and turning. Even if you aren’t considering air-con now, it could become an amenity worth weighing up in the future

Alternative ways to keep your home cool

If you’re not ready to install air-con, or just need a quick fix during a heatwave, here are other ways to stay cool in sweltering temperatures:  

• Electric fans A cost-effective way to tackle the summer heat. Bear in mind that they don't actively cool the air – they just move it around. You feel cooler because the breeze helps moisture to evaporate from your skin. See our reviews of the best electric fans.
• Air coolers These look similar to dehumidifiers but don’t require installation or venting through a window like air conditioners. They draw in warm air and cool it using water stored in a tank. However, they are much less effective than air conditioners.
• Close windows and curtains Keep windows shut when the air outside is warmer than inside to prevent warm air from entering the property. Use curtains, blinds or shutters to block out sunshine during the heat of the day or when rooms are not in use. At night, open windows to let cooler air in.
• Take cool or lukewarm showers Cold showers may bring short-term relief, but using cool or lukewarm water is better. Let yourself air-dry rather than drying yourself with a towel. As the water evaporates from your skin, it creates a cooling effect.
• Wear the right clothes at night To stay cool during warm nights, wear thin, loose, cotton-based clothing. This helps wick sweat away, increasing the surface area for evaporation and helping you feel cooler.

This article has been updated since it was first published. It was last updated on 11 August 2026.