It can be tempting to put off air con maintenance if nothing appears to be wrong with your system, but experts warn that this could be a costly mistake.

From refrigerant leaks to clogged filters, there are plenty of things that can go wrong without any visible signs. But with air conditioning units starting at around £750, you'll likely want to do everything you can to extend its lifespan.

Below, we explain everything you need to know about air con maintenance, including what needs checking, how much it costs, and the damage that can occur if you put it off.

What maintenance does an air con unit need?

1. Filter cleaning or replacement

At the very least, Lucy Arnold, Maintenance and Servicing Manager at PRA Air Conditioning, recommends cleaning or replacing the filters regularly to ensure they are free from dust and debris. While this doesn't replace a professional service, this basic maintenance will help the unit run efficiently.

2. Professional service

In addition to regular cleaning, Lucy says you should also have your air conditioning professionally serviced by an engineer. They will clean the internal components, check the airflow and electrical connections, and inspect the system for refrigerant leaks.

"Plus, they can spot small faults before they develop into much bigger and more expensive problems," she adds.

How do I know if my air con needs maintenance?

Ignoring these warning signs is one of the biggest air conditioning mistakes you can make:

1. System is running for longer than it used to: "If it takes an hour to cool the room when it used to do it in 20 minutes, something is not right," says Martyn Fowle, Founder of Elite Renewables.

2. Increase in electricity bills: Noticed a sudden – and seemingly random – hike in your bills? Martyn says your unit could be working harder because the filter is blocked, the outdoor unit is restricted, or the system is not operating efficiently.

3. Unusual symptoms: If you've noticed anything out of the ordinary, such as strange noises, unpleasant smells, water leaks or weaker cooling, it's worth having it checked, says Lucy Arnold.

How much does air con maintenance cost?

Wondering the cost of air conditioning maintenence? Martyn says to expect the following:

• Single wall-mounted unit: £70 to £120
• Two wall-mounted units: £130 to £200
• Larger multi-split system: £300+ (depending on the number of units)

"The important thing is to check what the price actually includes. You want the coils, drainage, electrical connections, airflow and general performance checked as well as the filter," he says.

"I’d also be wary of automatically paying for a refrigerant ‘top-up.’ Air conditioning is a sealed system, so if refrigerant is low, the engineer should be looking for a leak rather than simply adding more gas."

What happens if I don't service my air con unit?

No one wants to fork out £300 on air conditioning maintenance, but leaving it too long can result in a build-up of inefficiencies (in other words, you'll end up paying more for electricity each month).

Martyn says you can also shorten the lifespan of the system and could even void the warranty if the unit requires regular servicing.

How often should I service my air con unit?

Both Lucy and Martyn recommend servicing your air conditioning unit at least once a year – potentially more often if it's used heavily for both heating and cooling. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, as mentioned above, you should have it checked in between services.

Can I service my air con unit myself?

No, you should not attempt to service your air conditioning unit yourself, as it can be both a safety hazard and a risk to your warranty. However, there are a few basic maintenance tasks you can try, according to Martyn Fowle:

"Skipping professional maintenance or attempting technical repairs yourself could leave you paying for a future repair that would otherwise have been covered," concludes Lucy Arnold.

Enjoyed this? Find out whether air conditioning is worth it in the UK and whether air conditioning can ever look good.

There has been no receipt of air conditioning grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme since it was announced in November last year, according to government figures.

Only 62 people have applied for the £2,500 vouchers for air-to-air heat pumps since they were made available, Boiler Upgrade Scheme figures suggest, and so far none have been issued.

The reason is said to be due to delays in the certification process, which have effectively stalled the scheme.

What government grants are available for air conditioning?

The grant is for installing air-to-air heat pumps, which provide air conditioning but can also heat homes if run in reverse. Thermal batteries were also made available to claim via the scheme as part of the expansion announced at the end of last year.

Anyone whose home has an oil or gas boiler is eligible to claim on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which is part of the government's bid to move households away from fossil fuels.

Jess Ralston, head of energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said: "The recent June heatwave is estimated to have killed more than 800 people and as is often the case with climate change it is hitting the least well-off the most. The need for air con is now an added expense foisted on families by climate change but not everyone is going to be able to afford it.

“It won’t work for absolutely every home, but help is at hand through the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, giving households up to £2,500 towards an air-to-air heat pump that generates warmth in the winter, but also cool air in the summer."

Why has nobody taken up the air conditioning grants?

The lack of uptake is reportedly due to there being no accredited installers.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is the body responsible for giving accreditation but is reportedly still waiting for the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to give the final sign off.

Now, despite the grants being made available in April, there is no timeline for when installers can start to apply for accreditation to install air-to-air heat pumps.

As a result, while 62 people reportedly applied, no installations were carried out.

Jess Ralston told the The I Paper that it was frustrating as the money was there waiting but nobody could claim it due to the paperwork not being in place

Homebuilding & Renovating approached MCS and UKAS for comment, but a reply had not been received at the time of publishing this article.

What did the government say in response to this?

The government neither confirmed nor denied the delays.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) spokesperson told Homebuilding & Renovating: “Brits are showing record demand for heat pumps and our Warm Homes Plan will help roll out clean power technology to millions.

“With our new £2,500 grant for air-to-air heat pumps, we are making sure everyone can access the savings they can bring and boosting our energy security.”

If there's one thing every household needs in the cupboard, it's one of the best cooling fans. We may not need to use them all year round in the UK, but they're an absolute must-have when a hot and sticky heatwave strikes, helping to keep your home comfortable.

While cooling fans won't exactly lower the room temperature like the best portable air conditioners, they do have the advantage of being quieter and cheaper to run, without the need to vent a hose through a window. However, it's also worth thinking about how you can prevent heat gain in the first place and plan for a longer-term solution.

We know how hard it has become to get your hands on an in-stock cooling fan, so we've highlighted the retailers where units are still available, along with the best models we've ever tested.

Where to find in-stock cooling fans

Struggling to find a cooling fan that's still in-stock? I'm here to help:

Very has a few models available, including this bladeless fan by Quipulse and this mini desktop cooler.

Wayfair has a decent selection of options, from Symple Stuff's Desk Fan to their portable misting fan.

Amazon has this portable cooling fan and this bladeless tower fan, which looks very similar to the Dyson Cool.

Debenhams is the place to go for cooling fans right now. You'll find a range of models including this Air Pro Smart Fan and this heavy-duty floor fan.

The Quick List

Short on time? Here's a speedy overview of the best cooling fans we've tested, along with quick links to more details.

Top tip: If any of these fans are out of stock, check whether they're available for pre-order. Alternatively, you can shop the cooling fans currently in stock from the list above.

Best cooling fan overall

As a light sleeper, Homebuilding's editor Beth Murton thought she could never have a cooling fan in her bedroom, but Duux's Whisper Flex 2 Fan changed her mind. With noise levels as low as 13 decibels and a Quiet Mark accreditation, Beth said, "I had no issues falling asleep" and "the fan was so quiet that I barely noticed it."

Not only did this cooling fan score top points for noise (or, rather, its lack of it!), but it also features a night mode that dims the LED display and prevents any beeps from sounding when you change the settings.

Another advantage of this device is that it can be converted from a 54cm desk fan to a 92cm standing fan in just a few seconds, making it the perfect choice whether you're working, watching TV, or going to sleep.

If electricity costs are always in the back of your mind when you run a fan, you'll be happy to know that the Whisper Flex 2 costs just 1p per hour to run on the lowest setting, according to Duux.

While the fan can be controlled using either a remote control or an app, Beth wasn't able to connect it to her Wi-Fi, so she couldn't set it up. For that reason, it lost half a star. However, according to online reviews, the app is very easy to use, so the issue may simply have been with the internet connection itself.

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, we'd also recommend the MeacoFan Sefte 6" Air Circulator.

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Best tabletop cooling fan

I've been using corded cooling fans for years, but after testing this portable model from Meaco, I'm never going back. Weighing just 3.2kg and featuring a built-in handle, the Sefte Pro 10" is a breeze to carry from room to room, and you won't have to worry about pesky cables getting tangled or in the way. This thing follows me everywhere during the summer.

When it comes to battery life, this fan lasts up to 40 hours on a full charge and takes just 3.5 hours to recharge. I also like that the battery is replaceable, meaning you don't need to chuck the whole thing out when it eventually dies. You can simply replace the battery instead, which is a more sustainable option.

Offering 12 speeds along with horizontal and vertical oscillation, this fan did a fantastic job of keeping my bedroom cool. Even when placed on the other side of the room, I could still feel the airflow (it can reach up to 32 metres).

Like Beth, I was sceptical about using a fan in my bedroom because I hate any kind of noise while I sleep, but I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was on the lower settings. I also appreciated the night mode, which dimmed the LED display and stopped the beeps when changing settings.

If you like the sound of this fan but were hoping to spend a little less, I would recommend the MeacoFan Sefte 6" instead, which is essentially a smaller, more affordable version.

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Best pedestal cooling fan

This cooling fan comes highly recommended by our assistant editor, Sarah Harley, who was seriously impressed by its modern design and low noise levels. She awarded it a strong 4.5-star rating and says, "If I urge you to do one thing this summer, it's to invest in this."

Operating at just 25 decibels on its lowest setting, this fan is another great choice for light sleepers, with Sarah saying, "I slept soundly and woke fresh as a daisy." Like the previous two options in this guide, this model also features a night mode that dims the LED display and mutes beeping sounds when you change the settings.

The fan can be controlled via either an app or a remote control, which glows in the dark for easy use at night. It also offers 12 speed settings, along with both vertical and horizontal oscillation.

The height can be adjusted to three different levels, making it versatile whether you're working at a desk, lying in bed, or moving around the house. However, Sarah notes that it isn't the quickest fan to adjust.

As for running costs, this fan will set you back just 1p per hour, which we think is a total bargain considering how well it cools you down.

While Sarah believes this fan is well worth the investment, if you're hoping to spend less than £199 on a cooling fan, you may want to consider the MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator instead.

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Best air circulator

After testing the LUME Quiet Air Circulator Fan during a heatwave, our former News Editor, Joseph Mullane, was impressed by how effectively it cooled both his bedroom and home office.

Unlike other cooling fans he'd tested, which often left hot and cold spots, he found that this model kept the room consistently cool and comfortable. That's thanks to its 3D circulation system, which directs airflow in multiple directions simultaneously.

Like the DUUX Whisper Flex 2, which we also tested, this fan can be used as either a pedestal or tabletop fan and is easy to switch between the two modes, making it a versatile option for any room in the house.

The device offers 12 speed settings, along with horizontal and vertical oscillation. It operates at noise levels as low as 36 decibels, which Joseph said "blends into the background while I work" and "doesn't distract" him while he tries to sleep.

This fan also features a dimmable ambient light that gives it a warm, inviting glow, making it ideal for bedside use. It also includes a timer and sleep mode.

While Joseph was more than happy with the noise levels, this isn't the quietest option in this guide. If ultra-quiet operation is your top priority, you may want to consider the Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan instead.

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Best portable cooling fan

If you're looking for a fan you can carry from room to room (or even pack in the car for UK staycations), this is the model I'd recommend. It's so lightweight (weighing just 1.7 kg) that I can carry it using one finger via the built-in handle – and it scores bonus points for being both cordless and portable.

Having tested Meaco's Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator (which is essentially a larger version of this fan), I was doubtful that I'd want or need another one. However, despite its compact size, which measures just six inches, I was surprised at just how powerful the cooling was.

While the battery isn't as long-lasting as the Sefte Pro 10", it still delivers an impressive 26 hours of life after three hours of charging, and you can run it while it charges, so you never get caught out. The battery is also replaceable, which gives me reassurance that it will last a long time.

There are 12 speed settings and three modes (normal, eco, and night), with the latter dimming the LED display and muting control sounds. Vertical oscillation is adjusted manually, while horizontal oscillation can be activated at the touch of a button – though I have noticed that it rattles and squeaks quite a lot, so I rarely use it.

If the rattling oscillation is a deal-breaker, I would opt for the Meaco Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator, which I have never had this problem with.

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How we tested the best cooling fans

To help you find the best cooling fan, we tested each device in this guide and considered the following:

Airflow: How powerful is the fan? How far does the breeze reach? How many speed settings and modes does it offer?

Noise level: How loud or quiet is the fan during operation? Is it distracting while you sleep or work?

Price: Is the fan good value for money, or is there a cheaper alternative that performs just as well?

Ease of use: How easy is it to set up and operate? How is it controlled? Is it easy to transport and adjust?

Wondering who's behind these reviews? Meet the team below:

For more information on our procedure, read our dedicated page on how we test products.

How to choose the best

With thousands of models on the market, choosing the best cooling fan can feel a little overwhelming. Here’s what to consider:

Type of fan: First things first, think about how and where you intend to use it. If it’s primarily for work, a tabletop model (like MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator) is your best bet. If it’s for sleep, a pedestal option (like the Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan) may be a stronger choice.

Airflow: It’s also worth considering how many speed settings the device has, as well as how far the breeze will reach. For larger spaces, you’ll want something with a wider reach, such as the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator, which can circulate air across spaces of up to 32 metres.

Noise level: This is a big one – especially if you’re a light sleeper or need near silence while you work. We’ve never tested a fan as quiet as the Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan, which operates at just 13 decibels on its lowest setting.

Weight and size: If you plan on moving your fan from room to room, weight and size are important factors. You may even want to consider a cordless option, like the MeacoFan Sefte 6" Air Circulator.

Feeling undecided? Here’s a quick overview of all the specs you need to know from this buying guide:

For more advice on staying cool this summer, read our comparison of air conditioning vs fans or find out whether air conditioning is worth it in the UK.

Edited by Beth Murton.

Savvy shoppers feeling the heat can breathe a small sigh of relief. Despite multiple stores and online sites selling out of portable air conditioners and fans in the heatwave, Lidl is set to score a last-minute winning goal with the launch of 9 cooling products in store from 25 June 2026.

Including a portable air con unit for just £149, fans, bedding and pet items, we predict a sell-out, so don't hang around.

Here's what you could pick up if you get to the middle aisle on time.

Air con and fans

There are six products available in the cooling range.

First up is the Tronic 3-in-1 Air Conditioner that will retail for an unbelievable price of £149. Featuring three operating modes – air conditioning, fan cooling and dehumidifying it claims to deliver a powerful performance to suit a range of needs.

It also has two fan speeds and wheels meaning you can move it around your home with ease.

Also in the range are a Tronic Tower Fan (£17.99), a Tronic Large Bladeless Fan (£59.99), Tronic Portable Air Cooler (£14.99), Tronic Bladeless Mini Desk Fan (£14.99) and a Tronic Portable Fan (£7.99).

While Amazon Prime Day still has a range of fans and personal cooling items available, not all are available on next day delivery, meaning a quick trip to your nearest Lidl could be a quicker way to get cool for less.

B&Q also has a range of air con units showing as available for home delivery, and Screwfix is still providing a check for stock levels in your area service on their air con range.

But, if you want guaranteed cooling from 8am in the morning, Lidl might be your best bet.

Shop for cooling products

Cooling bedding

If, like us, keeping your bedroom cool at night is proving problematic, you may be looking at bedding that will help.

Lidl are again coming to the rescue with two items that could turn your sleepless nights into slumber-filled ones. The Livarno Coldtouch Pillowcase will be available for £3.99 and the Livarno TopCool Pillow for only £6.99.

Homebuilding & Renovating's Content director, Laura Crombie, rates this Silentnight Restore Cooling Lightweight Blanket, to complete your summer bedding selection.

Don't forget your pets

Of course, it's not just humans who are struggling in the heat either. Pets are struggling too (I currently have three fans on the go trying to keep my pooch from overheating – including the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator and two Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Oscillating Tower Fans, available on Amazon).

I'll certainly be running to Lidl to pick up the final item in the cooling range, the Zoofari Dog Cooling Mat for £4.99. Although this Dog Cooling Mat is available on Amazon Prime with delivery showing as next day, it may not arrive until later in the day, whereas I could have this Lidl one home and set up by 8.30am.

We know that not everyone is able to grab these deals, so if like the rest of the UK you're desperately trying to find ways to keep cool, follow the advice in how to keep cool without air con, and if you do want to protect yourself from future heatwaves, take a look at what's involved in installing air conditioning in your home.

I’ll admit it, I initially had my doubts about the MeacoFan Sefte 6" Portable Air Circulator. After all, how much power could a six-inch fan really deliver? However, it’s safe to say that after testing it for over a week, I’ve completely changed my mind.

I’ve recently been using the MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Air Circulator, which I’m absolutely obsessed with, so this smaller version had a lot to live up to if it was going to replace my current setup.

To find out whether this is one of the best cooling fans on the market – including how well it performed, how easy it is to use, and how it compares to its bigger sister – read my honest review below.

MeacoFan Sefte 6" Portable Air Circulator: specs

MeacoFan Sefte 6" Portable Air Circulator: first impressions and set-up

The fan arrived in a cardboard box and was well-protected with paper pulp as well as a reusable storage bag, which will come in handy over the winter when it is not in use.

The device came with everything I needed to get started: a charging cable, an instruction manual, a battery for the fan, and the remote. I put the battery in, placed it on charge, and within a few hours it was good to go. I barely needed to read the instructions as it was all pretty self-explanatory.

As someone who constantly loses chargers, I would have preferred a USB-C port. However, I am impressed that the battery is replaceable, making it more eco-friendly and longer-lasting than other cheaper models I’ve seen.

I was pleasantly surprised at how lightweight the fan was, weighing just 1.7 kg with a built-in handle for easy transportation. I can even carry it with just two fingers. As for the design, its simple black and white colours blend in nicely with my bedroom.

How the MeacoFan Sefte 6 Portable Air Circulator performed

The good

Like I mentioned, I was skeptical that this tiny fan would be able to deliver any impressive results, but to my surprise, its powerful cooling reaches 16 metres – that’s roughly the size of a lorry for scale! It also offers up to 70° vertical and horizontal oscillation to ensure the whole room is cooled evenly.

There are 12 different speeds to choose from, which can be controlled either manually on the device or via the remote control – which, by the way, magnetically attaches to the fan so you never lose it (genius!) It also glows in the dark, which I found very cool.

The fan has three different modes: Eco, Normal, and Night. The latter is a game-changer for light sleepers, turning off the LED display to ensure your sleep remains undisturbed.

Measuring just 32.4 x 21.0 x 18.0 cm, I’ll be packing this fan for summer UK staycations when I’m unsure whether the hotel will have air conditioning or adequate cooling. Plus, my car’s air conditioning is currently broken, so I can easily put this on the passenger seat if a heatwave strikes.

The bad

One thing I was a little disappointed in was the noise. Meaco says the levels are as low as 22 decibels, which, for reference, is slightly louder than a whisper. However, from about speed level three onwards, the noise can become a little distracting and sounds like it's rattling. The rattling noise increases when it's set to horizontal oscillation – even when I placed it on various surfaces.

Perhaps my expectations for noise were just too high, given that it’s a smaller device...

MeacoFan Sefte 6" vs MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Air Circulator

Final thoughts

All in all, I was really impressed with this latest offering from Meaco. It might not be the cheapest mini fan out there, but even the fact that the battery is replaceable shows me that it’s going to last a long time, rather than something you chuck out after a few years when it breaks.

If the MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator is out of your price range, having tested both, I can confirm that there isn’t a huge difference between the two. Obviously, the 10" has more power and a greater range, but you can get away with this smaller version if you need to and save a bit of money.

It’s lightweight, simple to use, and does a fantastic job of cooling me down – whether I’m working at my desk, trying to sleep, or baking in the kitchen. I love the fact that I can carry it around from room to room without it being a faff, and the long-lasting battery life and short charging time are a great bonus.

You may also want to read our review of the Dyson Pure Cool Activated Carbon Fan and Air Purifier, which helped our former news editor with his allergies. Or, for something with a little more oomph, read our round-up of the best portable air conditioners.

For the majority of the year, my Edwardian cottage, is bordering on Arctic temperatures. It doesn't matter whether it's finally 'shorts weather' outside and the sun is shining, inside remains undeniably nippy. That said, for two or three months of the year when things really warm up, trying to sleep upstairs becomes an experience that, I imagine, is akin to hanging out in a pizza oven. In short, it becomes unbearably hot.

This has lead me to look into installing air conditioning or, at the very least, investing in a portable unit – anything to get a good night's sleep and reduce the horribly stuffy atmosphere that develops in the bedrooms.

The thing is, I have rarely been bowled over by the appearance of air con units – so do I really want one in my home? To help me decide whether or not to take the plunge, I reached out to the experts to find out if there is a way to get air conditioning units to blend in a little, while still doing their job.

Is air conditioning always an eyesore?

When I think of air conditioning, I think either of those great big wall-mounted units you see in offices that have slightly yellowed over time, or hulking great portable beasts that require you to hang an unsightly pipe out of your window for all to see. Is this what you have to give into if you want to cool down a room in your house this summer?

"Ugly AC is a personal obsession of mine," picks up Kevin Pennington, owner and MD of Lancashire Air Conditioning. "But air conditioning does not need to be ugly. It is ugly because we do not have a fully developed air-conditioning market in this country and most people are just buying units in an emergency from anywhere. They're not thinking about the design, just about how to get their kids to be able to sleep when the house is boiling hot."

Sam Carter, heating and cooling appliances expert at Appliances Direct, agrees that the issue often comes down to a lack of research, rather than a complete absence of attractive options. "In the UK, home air conditioning popularity is growing, but there is still a little education needed on the types available, and the pros and cons of each. However, a little research before purchasing should help you find the right appliance to fit your needs."

Can you vent portable air conditioning units subtly?

Let's start by looking at portable air conditioning units, usually the go-to for UK homeowners who use them in summer and store them in winter. I actually tested one out not too long ago and, while it cooled the room quickly, the fact that the ducting needed to be hung out of the window ruined things a bit. So, what's the solution?

"In the UK people tend to start with loud, ugly portable units and they fling the hose out of the window," says Kevin Pennington. "The next step up from this would be to core a hole through the wall and fit an exterior vent. This should cost around £200-£300, plus the cost of the unit.

"It leaves the outside looking better and makes these units more effective because you don’t have a window open, but ultimately you are still left with a loud – and arguably 'ugly' – portable unit," he continues. "Once people have got fed up with the noise and appearance, they tend to upgrade to a properly fitted unit."

That said, Sam Carter is keen to point out that the design of the best portable air conditioning units has really progressed in recent years meaning they aren't always the hefty eyesores they once were.

"Portable air conditioning units don’t need to be bulky or get in the way – modern units come in a variety of sizes, colours and styles, so you can usually find one that fits into your space in a more subtle way.

"Modern top-end portable units are designed with a smaller footprint and in premium finishes," adds Sam. "Manufacturers are utilising matte textures, minimalist digital displays, and sleek, vertical silhouettes. Instead of looking like a jarring appliance, modern portables are designed to blend into the room like a high-end air purifier or smart speaker, allowing them to sit discreetly alongside furniture or houseplants."

Shop portable air conditioning units

Are all wall-mounted air con units big white boxes?

If you want something a bit more permanent then it is worth looking at wall-mounted vs portable air conditioners. Wall-mounted is usually seen as the next step up. Again, the examples I've seen have not been too inspiring up until now, but is that changing?

"Of the all the standard white units, I’ve always preferred the Worcester Bosch 3200i series and I also like the LG Standard Plus units," reveals Kevin Pennington. "The LG unit is particularly attractive because it has a chrome strip across the bottom which makes it look slightly less industrial. However, we have to be realistic – both units might work incredibly well but they are still white boxes."

The positive here is that if you are prepared to pay a little more in the name of aesthetics, wall units do come in colours other than white, and in some sleeker designs too, as Kevin points out. "There are some really beautiful units available to members of the public if they are willing to just spend a little more money.

"The LG Artcool mirror is a very attractive unit, with smoked black glass on the front. Taking it up a notch is the Toshiba Haori," he suggests. "This unit has an interchangeable fabric cover and with either the default fabric or a custom fabric chosen to complement the room it can look phenomenal. You can even get units that look like photo frames now."

Daikin have also recognised the need for something more aesthetic with the new, design award-winning Stylish range of air con units. Available in a range of finishes, including silver, black, fabric, wood effect, a bright blue and even a leather effect, the kit comes with everything you need for a more blended interior approach. It's also once of the slimmest models meaning the size is less obtrusive too.

So, while there's no getting away from the fact that you will still need to mount a box at high level on your wall, there are at least now options other than white that can help you blend air con into your interior slightly more seamlessly.

That said, if speed is more your priority than appearance, then some retailers, such as BOXT pride themselves on a fast quote to installation process, so it could be a case of weighing up what matters most to you. The company has also partnered up with B&Q to offer customers extra discounts when purchasing through the DIY store.

What is the best way to blend in an air conditioning unit?

If you don't love the idea of your air conditioning costs spiralling, there are still ways of blending in more affordable designs, as Tom Houlker, director and air conditioning expert at Houlk Air, explains.

"Air conditioning can blend in as long as you don’t treat it like an afterthought. The worst installs are those where the unit is just installed onto the nearest spare wall. If it’s lined up properly, kept clear of clutter, and placed somewhere that makes sense with the room, it can look neat and blend in," says Tom.

"The best-looking jobs are usually planned early, before the room is finished," continues Tom. "That gives you a chance to hide pipework, choose a better position and avoid awkward runs across walls. With retrofits, I’d focus on a clean install rather than trying to make the unit disappear completely.

"A slim wall-mounted unit in the right place will often look better than badly boxing something in," he recommends. "Tidy pipework, straight trunking and sensible positioning make a huge difference, because people notice messy work far more than they notice the unit itself."

What is the most attractive type of air conditioning?

There are several different types of air conditioning available, each with their own set of pros and cons. There tends, however, to be one clear winner when it comes to good-looks.

"If you don't mind spending a good amount of money, nothing is better than a hidden ducted system," states Kevin Pennington. "This is the gold standard of systems. The air conditioning unit is hidden in an attic or in a plastered space like a bulkhead. Most of these units use plastic or metal grills to allow the airflow to enter and be removed from the room and these can look very nice.

"For a really great finish, however, we use gypsum vents," he continues, "which are plastered into the ceiling directly and can be almost invisible. That said, these systems are expensive and only a few companies are able to install them to a high standard."

Tom Houlker agrees that, for a sleek finish, ducted systems are the best option but points out that careful air conditioning installation is required for it to be worthwhile. "Before choosing one, check that you actually have enough ceiling or loft space to properly house the ductwork," he advises.

"You still need proper airflow and service access, because if a unit is boxed in too tightly or hidden behind joinery, it can struggle to cool, collect dust, become harder to clean, and cost more to repair because engineers can’t get to it as easily."

FAQs

What is the best way to duct portable air conditioning to the outside?

For many people in the UK, using air conditioning to keep a house cool is not often required, meaning portable units are ideal. That said, knowing how to vent them to outside in a way that doesn't ruin the kerb appeal of your home or get in the way inside, can be tricky.

There are several ways to approach this and Sam Carter explains the most common (and simplest). "Most portable air conditioners are supplied with a window kit which allows you to neatly fix your portable AC to your window without looking messy from outside. There are options for all window types including window seals that neatly zip around your window."

If, however, you don't relish the idea of your window having to be open to run your air conditioning, it might be better to run the ducting through a hole in your exterior wall, with a neat vent on the outside.

Air conditioning isn't for everyone – and if you have decided to give it a miss, there are plenty of very effective natural ways to cool a house for you to consider instead. Or, if you think a fan will be sufficient, check out our review of the Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan or the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator – which was tested during a heatwave.

There was a point, some time last summer, when there was serious talk in our household about getting air conditioning. The bedrooms upstairs become unbearably hot when temperatures rose, largely due to the fact that there is little in the way of insulation in the either the walls or the roof, but also because a couple are south-facing.

We toyed with the idea of getting a couple of portable units, as well as mulling over whether or not, when we come to extend, getting something more permanent might be a good plan.

However, the expense involved was a deterrent, as was the fact that, just a few months later, I was complaining about being too cold to sleep at night. That said, with summer now upon us once more, I am again wondering whether air con should be on our agenda. But, before parting with any money, I asked the experts for their opinions – and their answers took me by surprise.

Is fitting air conditioning a good idea?

First things first, in an area of the world that really struggles when it comes to any kind of sustained warm weather, is spending money on air conditioning to keep a house cool for a few months of the year a wise thing to do?

Mike Bain, marketing manager at iHeat, told me that I was not alone in considering it. "We had a huge spike in enquiries during last year's heatwaves, especially when temperatures started creeping towards 40°C in parts of the UK, and we expect this year to be the same. The bedroom is probably the biggest area of demand for us," he explains. "Once people go through a few nights trying to sleep in 30°C heat, installing air conditioning suddenly starts to feel a lot less like a luxury."

Kevin Pennington, owner and managing director of Lancashire Air Conditioning, was also keen to highlight the positives. "When it does get ridiculously hot in the summer, air conditioning is phenomenally good to have in your home. This country is generally quite cold, but the changes to the building regulations have made houses much warmer, even in mild weather, especially when the house gets lots of solar gain through the windows.

"Imagine not having to lose sleep and not having your kids upset because they’re too hot," says Kevin. "When you get air conditioning, that problem goes away forever."

Why install air conditioning in the UK?

Undoubtedly the idea of being able to cool down our bedrooms in the midst of summer is appealing. But with hot weather such a rarity, is it worth the money?

"A lot of people still think of it as something you’d only use for a couple of weeks a year, but that’s not really how customers are looking at it anymore," explains Mike Bain. "Most modern systems both heat and cool, so homeowners are using them all year round to keep rooms at a comfortable temperature rather than just blasting cold air during a heatwave."

Given that air conditioning could also heat my bedrooms, which are freezing cold in the winter, it is starting to sound even more appealing.

"Air conditioning is the single most efficient form of heating that exists. Modern A+++ units are actually air-to-air heat pumps and they are so efficient that they use a very small amount of electricity to generate good amounts of heat," explains Kevin Pennington.

"Because we live in a temperate climate, it is very rarely below zero and often it is only between 6-10°C outside. This means that heat pumps work very well. In this country we need lots of heating, and I specifically use air conditioning for the purpose of heating rooms that I spend most of my time in," he continues.

"I have air conditioning only in my lounge and my bedroom. I am either at work or I’m generally in one of those rooms meaning I don’t have to put my central heating on to heat the whole house if it’s just me in and I’m only in one room. It is a phenomenal way of heating, and saves a fortune on gas."

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What type of air conditioning is best in the UK?

It's clear then that air conditioning, particularly units that can heat a house as well as cool it down, do make sense. But what are the best options for the UK specifically?

In terms of the different types of air conditioning, portable units are the most obvious, and certainly the cheapest option, but how do they compare to fixed or ducted systems?

"The biggest shift for us is that people aren’t really asking 'do I need air con?' anymore. They’re asking questions about what type of system is best for their home and how many rooms they should cover," says Mike Bain. "There's very little selling for us to do, and it's more just a case of giving customers a good price and fast installation turnarounds."

If speed is your priority yhen some retailers, such as BOXT pride themselves on a fast quote to installation process, in some cases even installing next day when ordered before 3pm.

"In the UK people usually start with portable air conditioning units that need the hose to be vented to outside," adds Kevin Pennington. "Once people have got used to having a level of cooling but have had enough the noise at night, they tend to upgrade to a fitted unit vs a portable one.

"Because a fixed unit is an A+++ heat pump, it is incredibly attractive to people looking for energy efficient homes. A two room system using one single multi split unit is a good idea. Air conditioning in the master bedroom and the main living space leads to a much better quality of life, especially in homes that suffer from overheating due to solar gain."

"What we’re also seeing now is more multi-room installations," adds Mike Bain. "Instead of cooling one room, customers are having a single outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units around the home, all controlled separately. It’s becoming much more of a whole-home comfort product."

How much does air conditioning cost to install and run?

Obviously, before shopping around, it is a good idea to have an idea of air conditioning costs. So what should homeowners expect to pay?

"To give you a brief idea of cost, a fully installed, good quality wall-mounted unit usually costs somewhere around £1,500 to £2,500, depending on the model and the complexity of the job," advises Kevin Pennington. "A two-room system, using one single multi-split unit would cost somewhere between £3,500 and £6,000 roughly, depending on the complexity and the quality of the unit units."

"A fixed air conditioning system for a bedroom or single room will usually land somewhere around £1,500 to £3,000 installed, depending on the set-up, brand and so on," says Mike Bain. "Portable units are obviously cheaper upfront (roughly £300 to £700 for a decent one) and can work fine short term, but they’re generally noisier and nowhere near as efficient or effective as a proper fixed system. Plus, you normally have to run a pipe to the outside."

If you're looking for current offers, then BOXT has also partnered up with B&Q to offer customers extra discounts.

Will installing air conditioning add value to a house?

At the same time as enjoying the obvious cooling benefits of air conditioning, many people, myself included, are interested to know whether it is likely to add to their value of their house.

In modern houses, according to Kevin Pennington, it could well contribute to an uplift in value. "It absolutely adds value to a house. Buyers are becoming very aware of how hot newly insulated houses get in the summer, and an A+++ heat pump is incredibly attractive to people looking for energy efficient homes."

That said, Mike Bain goes on to point out that we are still a way off air conditioning being a deal breaker for buyers here in the UK.

"I don’t think air conditioning is at the point in the UK where it massively adds value to a property in estate agent terms, but it definitely makes homes more desirable," he says, "especially newer properties, or those with loft conversions and south-facing bedrooms that get unbearably hot in summer."

Is it worth UK homeowners installing air conditioning in existing homes?

Plenty for me to think about then. Heat pumps that allow for both cooling and heating are a great idea and certainly something well worth considering for those self-building or carrying out extensive renovation work, but how about for someone like me, living in an old house, who is considering retrofitting?

"When you realise you will realistically use it all winter for cheap, zoned heating and all summer for cooling, it is one of the best investments you can make," says Kevin Pennington, although he goes on to explain that choosing the right system is crucial to make it worth it.

For my home, Kevin suggests sticking to a smaller scale system that cools just a couple of rooms rather than the whole house.

"Being realistic, unless you are prepared to spend a considerable amount of money, installing air conditioning in your entire house is not a great idea," explains Kevin. "We have some clients who have done this, but they generally live in large architect-designed properties and their budget allows them to have hidden ducted systems. Systems like this cost £50,000+ and they’re not realistic for the average homeowner."

FAQs

What is the difference between air conditioning and air source heat pumps?

This can cause some confusion. Fixed air conditioning units are a type of air-to-air heat pump. While people often think of air conditioning as something that only cools a room, they can also work in reverse, delivering warm air to heat it.

Not all air conditioning units can both heat and cool – those that can are known as air-to-air heat pumps.

Air conditioning with no heating function is a little cheaper than air-to-air heat pumps, but there is little difference in terms of running costs. However, if you were to opt for an air-to-water heat pump, which works a little differently and can be linked to your radiators or underfloor heating, costs will definitely rise.

If you are still unsure whether to take the plunge and install air conditioning, portable options are certainly worth a look. The best portable air conditioning can cool a room really quickly, are quick to set up and can be stored away when not needed.

Or, if it's simply not on your budget for this summer, try these 7 heat-busting tips for keeping a house cool, even without air con.

As the weather gets warmer, we all need a trusty fan to get us through those hot summer nights. Since my bedroom is located in a top-floor loft conversion that gets absolutely baking, I jumped at the chance to test out Meaco's brand-new offering: the MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator (available on Amazon).

What caught my attention most about this new “whisper-quiet” model wasn’t just the fact that it’s completely portable (goodbye, pesky cables!), but also that the battery is rechargeable and replaceable, making it more eco-friendly than others I’ve seen.

To find out whether this fan is as good as the previous non-Pro version we also tested – and whether it was up to the job of cooling my oven-of-a-bedroom despite its compact size – keep reading.

MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator: specifications

MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator: first impressions and set-up

Sleek and simple, the Sefte Pro Table Air Circulator exceeded all my expectations when it came to design – its modern appearance blends in perfectly with my white bedroom walls, so I’m happy to leave it out all summer long.

However, thanks to its built-in handle, lightweight build, and compact size – measuring just 432 x 305 x 227 mm – it would be easy enough to tuck away in a cupboard if you’d prefer it out of sight.

The fan comes with an instruction manual that’s pretty simple to follow, though it did take me a while to work out how to remove the battery lid. The device also comes with a charging cable and remote control, which I was very excited to later discover is glow-in-the-dark and magnetically connects to the fan! My only negative is that I wish the charger was USB-C, as I’m forever losing cables.

On the subject of charging, it only takes 3.5 hours to reach 100% battery, which delivers an impressive 40 hours of use – keeping my house cool all day long.

How the MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator performed

The Sefte Pro series comes in two models: pedestal and table. I opted for the latter because it’s easier to carry from room to room, while the cordless design means I can place it anywhere in my home with ease.

Since the battery is replaceable, the device should last much longer than many of its competitors, which is good news for both the planet and my bank account. You can still operate the fan while it’s charging, so even if the battery runs flat, you won’t be left sweltering without it.

I hate any sort of noise when I’m trying to sleep, so I always dreaded using my old fan whenever summer rolled around. Even with earplugs in, I could always hear the hum, and it drove me nuts. So, when I tested the MeacoFan Sefte Pro, I was pleasantly surprised that I couldn't hear anything. Even without earplugs, my partner confirmed that it makes “very little noise” and “certainly doesn’t stop me from sleeping.”

As someone who gets cold during the night, I was also pleased to see that it comes with a remote control, saving me from having to switch it off manually and fully waking myself up at 4am. The remote can control the speed, oscillation (both vertical and horizontal), timer, pause function, and more. These settings can also be adjusted via the mobile app.

This thoughtfully designed fan also features a night mode, which turns off the LCD display and mutes the beeps so your sleep remains undisturbed – something more appliance brands should take on board.

It offers 12 speeds and can project airflow up to 32 metres – roughly the length of a Boeing 737. It also oscillates from 30° to 120° horizontally and 20° to 65° vertically. If you want the room to feel cool and crisp for your arrival home, you can set auto start and stop timers anywhere between one and 12 hours.

Final thoughts

Suitable for sleeping, working, or chilling around the house, the portable and whisper-quiet design of this fan makes it an excellent all-rounder for wherever you want to use it. It's the best cooling fan I've ever tested and I've been raving about it to my friends and family.

While I have seen rechargeable fans with a lower price tag (like this one from Dunelm for £36), I haven’t seen any with such long battery life, as much oscillation, app control, or a replaceable battery. However, it all depends on whether these features are important to you or if you simply want something affordable that gets the job done.

For me personally, I’d rather invest in something a little more expensive that I know is going to last – and I love the fact that I can pack it with me on UK holidays if my hotel doesn’t have air conditioning.

The government has announced new £2,500 grants for air-to-air heat pumps, in a move designed to help more households install systems that can heat homes in winter and cool them in summer.

The funding forms part of an expansion of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, aimed at reducing the upfront cost of low-carbon heating technology.

Ministers say the changes will make heat pumps a more practical option for a wider range of homes, including flats and smaller properties.

What the air-to-air heat pump grant is for

The £2,500 grant will help households cover the cost of installing air-to-air heat pumps, which extract heat from outside air and distribute it indoors.

Unlike traditional heating systems, they can also be reversed to provide cooling during warmer months, operating in a similar way to air conditioning.

The scheme is intended to reduce the upfront cost of switching to low-carbon heating and increase uptake across different types of homes.

Who the air-to-air heat pump grant applies to

The new heat pump grant is aimed at domestic properties installing eligible air-to-air heat pump systems through certified installers.

It is expected to be particularly relevant for flats and smaller homes, where traditional wet heating systems can be more difficult or expensive to install.

All installations must be carried out by approved Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) installers in order to qualify for the funding.

What could an air-to-air heat pump cost after the grant?

Air-to-air heat pumps are among the most affordable heat pump systems, costing on average between £2,200 and £8,800, depending on the size of the home and energy demand.

Installation costs typically range from £350 to £1,700, as the systems are generally quicker and simpler to install than other heat pump types because they do not require radiators or a wet heating system.

With the new £2,500 government grant, the upfront cost could fall to a maximum of £6,300. For lower cost systems, the new grant could make it completely free, depending on the size of the system and installation requirements.

How to apply for the grant

Applications for the £2,500 heat pump grant are not made directly by homeowners. Instead, the scheme is handled through approved installers under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Homeowners must first choose an MCS-certified installer, who will assess the property and provide a quote for an eligible air-to-air heat pump system. If the installation qualifies, the installer will apply for the grant on the homeowner’s behalf and deduct the £2,500 from the upfront cost.

The funding is paid directly to the installer once the installation is complete and all requirements have been met, meaning households do not need to claim the money back themselves.

The expansion marks a further push by ministers to accelerate the shift towards low-carbon home heating while making cooling technology more accessible to UK households.

Homeowners can now claim £2,500 towards the cost of installing air-to-air heat pumps – systems that cool in summer and heat in winter – under changes to the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The expansion, announced this week, brings air-conditioning-style units into a scheme previously limited to traditional air- and ground-source heat pumps.

Heat batteries are also being added, widening the range of technologies eligible for financial support.

What’s changing in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme?

The updated Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives households the option to install air-to-air heat pumps, which work similarly to air-conditioning units but can run in reverse to provide heating.

These systems do not heat water and instead distribute warm or cool air through blowers, making them suitable for smaller homes, flats and properties without wet radiator systems, which means they can be a practical option where full central-heating retrofits are difficult.

Alongside this, heat batteries, which store electricity as heat for use later in the day, become eligible for the same £2,500 discount. These additions sit alongside existing grants of up to £7,500 for air-source and ground-source heat pumps. The government says the changes aim to give homeowners more choice in how they switch to low-carbon heating.

Energy Consumers Minister Martin McCluskey said air-to-air heat pumps “offer the best of both worlds – keeping you warm in winter while cooling you down when summer comes along,” adding that the expansion is intended to “make sure as many people as possible can benefit, especially those in flats or small homes without central heating.”

Industry figures welcome the expansion

The Heat Pump Association welcomed the announcement, with its chief executive Charlotte Lee saying the wider eligibility “is an important step in offering consumers more choice,” and that continued funding will be key to supporting “jobs and long-term investment” in the UK supply chain.

Nesta’s deputy director Andrew Sissons described air-to-air systems as “an efficient option for many homes,” arguing that support for cooling as well as heating is increasingly important “as we’re faced with a warming climate.”

Mark Smale, Head of Renewables at Bradfords Building Supplies, said the decision could accelerate practical uptake: “It is great news that the government has decided to expand the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries. Air-to-air heat pumps are not only more cost effective for households, they are also highly adaptable and importantly familiar, using the same technology as air conditioning.”

He added that giving homeowners genuine choice “sends a powerful signal which will hopefully drive widespread adoption of low-carbon heating solutions.”

The Apprentice's Dean Franklin, who owns an air conditioning company, also previously called for the inclusion of air-to-air heat pumps in the scheme, stating: “If they’re giving grants for one type of heat pump and heating and cooling system, why not the other?”

What homeowners should know

Air-to-air systems may appeal to households that want cooling during summer or those who cannot install radiators or underfloor heating.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme still requires installations to be carried out by MCS-certified installers, and applications continue to be submitted by the installer on the homeowner’s behalf. It also sets out the scheme’s EPC requirements and recent rule changes that removed earlier insulation conditions.

For comparison, air-to-water heat pumps are more difficult to install and more expensive than air-to-air heat pumps, but they do provide hot water and are better suited to larger properties.

The government has also launched a consultation on additional heating options such as infrared panels, renewable liquid fuels and other innovative systems, signalling further possible changes to the landscape of home-energy upgrades.

Let’s face it, UK summers are warmer than ever before and finding a reliable way to keep cool at home has never felt more pressing. Fans and portable air conditioners offer some temporary relief, but they often fall short when it comes to keeping the house feeling fresh and comfortable, especially when a heatwave is on the cards.

If you’ve found yourself looking for a whole-home solution, experts say an HVAC system could be worth considering. These systems work by actively removing heat and maintaining an even temperature throughout the house, so there's no need to lug fans from room to room or only focus on cooling one space while the rest of your home bakes.

While HVAC setups were once thought of as something reserved for large or modern family homes, newer systems are far more adaptable and energy efficient than you might realise.

So, if you’re weighing up ways to future proof your home, here’s what you need to know about how HVAC cooling works and why it might just be the upgrade your space deserves.

What do we mean by HVAC cooling?

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, and in the context of cooling, it refers to systems designed to regulate your home’s temperature, humidity and air quality. This could mean a central air conditioning system, a split-unit setup with indoor and outdoor components, or a ducted system designed to serve the entire house.

Unlike portable fans, which only circulate air, or portable air conditioners, which are limited to a single space, HVAC cooling works by actively removing heat from the indoor air and delivering a more consistent, controllable cooling experience across multiple rooms.

Modern HVAC systems use advanced heat pump technology to transfer heat. “They can move cold air from outside into the home or move warm air from inside to out,” explains Sachin Vibhute, HVAC and heat pump technical consultant at LG Electronics. “By transferring heat, HVAC systems offer a long-lasting solution to cooling the home when compared with fans and portable units, which only offer temporary, limited relief.”

Reasons To Consider HVAC Cooling For Your Home

HVAC can effectively heat or cool your home according to your needs.

There are different types of HVAC systems to suit different homes. For example, if you're renovating or live in an older property where installing ducts might be tricky, a split system could be ideal.

Many modern systems also offer zoned control, which means you can cool just the rooms you’re using and skip the ones you’re not. “Zoning technology ensures that only the spaces you are actively using are cooled, limiting energy waste in unoccupied rooms,” says James Allen, account manager at Airzone. “Some systems even use sensors to learn your habits and adjust cooling based on when rooms are typically in use.”

An HVAC setup can also work alongside your smart home tech. “Automated blinds can be programmed to close during the hottest parts of the day, helping to block out the sun and reduce the strain on the air conditioning,” explains James Allen. In fact, Airzone’s research suggests this type of setup can help cut household energy use by up to 50%.

Because the main components (like the compressor) are usually installed outside, HVAC systems tend to be much quieter indoors than portable fans. Add in features like air filtration, smart scheduling, and the ability to personalise each room’s temperature, and it’s easy to see why HVAC cooling is becoming such a popular choice.

Is HVAC cooling right for every home?

While HVAC systems offer plenty of benefits, they’re not the ideal solution for everyone, especially when you consider the unique quirks of UK homes (from solid wall construction to tight conservation rules). Whether or not HVAC is the right choice for your home will depend on a few key factors: property type, insulation levels, budget, and how often you actually need to cool your home.

“HVAC doesn't work the same way for everyone,” explains Alan Houghton, MD at Next Level Underfloor Heating & Screed Solutions. “A well-insulated home in a mild area where cooling needs aren't common or someone on a tight budget might not like it. The costs of installing an HVAC system can be high. In some situations, it may be enough to just improve the insulation and airflow to completely cool the house.”

Houghton also points out that older or historic properties may pose more of a challenge. If you live in a listed building or somewhere with strict planning rules, installing ductwork or outdoor units may be restricted. That said, new technologies like split systems and ductless configurations are making retrofitting HVAC much more manageable.

HVAC cooling Costs and Long-Term Value

Investing in an HVAC system is a big decision and naturally, one of the biggest considerations for homeowners is the costs involved. While the upfront expense of these systems can be significant, it's worth weighing this against the long-term benefits, including improved energy efficiency, better indoor air quality, and the potential to increase your home's value.

You will need to bear in mind the costs for everything from the equipment and installation of the system to any changes you might need to make to your home to fit it in the first place.

The most cost-effective option for retrofits is usually a split system, which doesn’t require ductwork and is relatively simple to install. Ducted systems, by contrast, tend to be more expensive and complex, and are typically best suited to new builds or large-scale home renovations.

Maintenance costs also need to be factored in. A well-maintained HVAC system can last 10–15 years or more, but regular servicing is essential. This includes filter changes, cleaning, and inspections, along with keeping the external condenser clear of debris. An annual service by a qualified engineer is recommended to keep everything running smoothly.

As for running costs, there’s good news on that front. Modern systems, particularly those using inverter technology, are far more energy-efficient than older models or standalone units. By adjusting power output based on the temperature needed, they avoid the stop-start inefficiencies of traditional systems. And don’t forget – an efficient HVAC setup can boost your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, which could add appeal (and potentially value) if you plan to sell in future.

Bonus tip: Setting your HVAC system to a steady 24–25°C is more energy-efficient than switching it on and off or blasting cold air. “This not only extends the lifespan of your HVAC system,” says James Allen, “but also keeps running costs down.”

FAQs

What are the alternatives to HVAC cooling?

While HVAC systems offer whole-home comfort and long-term benefits, they’re not the only way to prevent overheating. Depending on your space, budget or lifestyle, other solutions might make more sense. For example, if you’re renovating or extending, there are other passive cooling strategies that can be built into your designs. These include:

• Shading (like awnings or external blinds)
• Cross-ventilation through carefully placed windows
• Insulation upgrades to prevent heat gain
• High-performance glazing
• Green roofs or reflective roofing material

Can HVAC systems help reduce energy bills?

Yes, especially when paired with a well-insulated, air-sealed home. According to LG’s Sachin Vibhute, HVAC systems with heat pump technology use ambient air for up to 75% of their cooling output. That means only 25% of the energy needs to come from electricity, making them significantly more efficient than traditional units. Add in features like smart controls, occupancy sensors and zoned cooling, and you’ve got a setup that only uses energy when and where it’s needed.

Is HVAC cooling noisy?

Not compared to portable units or window air conditioners. In a typical split system, the noisy compressor lives outside the house, which means indoor units can run quietly, ideal for bedrooms or open-plan spaces.

What should I consider before choosing an HVAC system?

Start with a professional home survey or energy audit. This will identify areas of heat gain and help you make targeted improvements to insulation and airtightness, which could reduce your cooling needs or improve HVAC performance. Other things to factor in include:

• Property size and layout
• Your budget (both upfront and ongoing)
• Whether you want cooling in one room or across the whole house
• Planning or aesthetic considerations (especially for period or listed homes)

Homeowners thinking about installing an HVAC system should look beyond just the tech and consider how well-prepared their home is to support it. Proper insulation, airtightness, and draught-proofing are just as important as the system itself.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article included a quote from a purported expert whose credentials we have not been able to verify. The quote has been removed. We regret this lapse in our verification process and have updated our internal protocols to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Wall-mounted vs portable air conditioner – just which should you choose? We are living in a world where temperatures are on the rise meaning this is a question you should be giving some serious thought to if you want your home to remain at a comfortable temperature throughout the summer – and even beyond.

Both forms of air conditioning are actually brilliant ways to cool down a room, or an entire house in some cases, but they also offer very different things and come with various pros and cons that it really is important to understand before choosing one over the other.

To help you make an informed decision, we reached out to some experts in the field for their advice on the differences, similarities and cost implications of each type of system.

Wall-mounted vs portable air conditioner – what's the difference?

Before getting into the pros and cons of these types of air conditioning, it is important to understand how they differ.

First up, lets look at how portable air conditioners work. These are units, usually on wheels to help move them around, that come in all shapes and sizes. They are designed to be plugged into to a standard electrical socket and usually feature a water tank to collect the condensation from the air. They can be transported wherever needed, although it is necessary to duct them to outside – often through a window.

Wall-mounted, or 'fixed' air conditioning, on the other hand, stays where it is put – usually high up on a wall or sometimes within the ceiling or hidden at a lower level. They are made up of two parts – the indoor unit and a fan unit situated somewhere outdoors that is connected through copper pipes to the indoor section which will blow out cold air through vents and will often be remote controlled.

Pros and cons of portable air conditioners

There is a great deal to love about the best portable air conditioners, not least how easy they are to set up and start enjoying a cooler home.

"Easy to install and operate, they offer a convenient and portable solution for maintaining comfort and cooling wherever you need it," explains Chris Michael, Meaco's managing director.

"Portable units can be a great short-term option," picks up Martyn Fowler, founder of Elite Renewables. "They’re perfect for renters or for occasional use during a heatwave."

"Portable air conditioners offer a simpler, lower-risk alternative," further explains Chris Michael. "They don’t need structural changes, can be moved between rooms, and just need a window for venting. They're a practical option for cooling specific spaces like bedrooms or home offices during hot weather.

Pros of portable air conditioners:

• Flexible: Can be positioned wherever you need them at any given time.
• Simple set-up: No professional installation required.
• Cheaper: Initially they are cheaper to purchase than fixed systems.
• Temporary: No need to have them on show at all times.

Cons of portable air conditioning:

• Noisier: Although quiet-running models are available, on the whole they tend to be louder to run than wall-mounted.
• More expensive to run: Compared to most wall-mounted units, portable costs more to run day-to-day.
• Outdoor ducting required: Need a hose to be run from the unit to outdoors, either through a window or door.
• More hands-on: You will need to plug it in, move it around and remember to empty the water tank when it's full.

Shop portable air conditioners

Pros and cons of wall-mounted air conditioning

If you want a more permanent way to keep your house nice and cool and don't mind stumping up for air conditioning installation costs, then a wall-mounted unit is the way to go.

"If it’s a room you spend time in every day, especially at night, then a wall-mounted system will give you far better comfort and efficiency," explains Martyn Fowler. "They’re quieter, more powerful, and don’t need constant set-up or moving around. They cost more upfront, but they’re much cheaper to run over time."

"Wall-mounted air conditioning systems are effective and quiet, but they come with higher upfront costs and ongoing maintenance," points out Chris Michael. "Professional installation is required and usually involves both indoor and outdoor units, electrical work, and in some cases, planning permission. Once installed, these systems are permanent. Removing them often means repairing walls or ceilings."

Pros of wall-mounted air conditioning:

• Lower running costs: They are far more efficient to run than portable.
• Powerful: They also tend to be more efficient at cooling spaces.
• Fit-and-forget: Once installed, they are simple to operate and discreet – smart models can even be controlled using devices via an app.

Cons of wall-mounted air conditioning:

• Expensive initially: To purchase and install a wall-mounted unit costs more than a portable model.
• Externally visible: They require an outdoor unit which can, in some instances, require planning permission.
• Professional installation required: You will need to call in the pros to get the unit up and running.

How do fixed and portable air conditioning compare in cost?

In terms of air conditioning costs, there is no denying that wall-mounted air conditioning is initially the more expensive of the two.

"A decent portable unit might be £300 to £600, while wall-mounted systems start around £1,200 including installation," picks up Martyn Fowler. "But when you look at energy use, the wall-mounted models win.

"You’re talking around 20 to 30 pence per hour to run compared to 25 to 40 pence for a portable unit – and the cooling performance is much stronger."

Is portable or wall mounted air conditioning better?

Still struggling to decide between the two? It really comes down to what you, personally, want from the unit.

"I’d start with how the space is used," advises Martyn Fowler. "If you’re cooling a room regularly, go for wall-mounted. If it’s a now-and-then thing or you’re not ready to commit to an install, portable can do the job with a few compromises."

Chris Michael has some more advice for those weighing up the two types of systems, wondering how to prevent overheating.

"Using a portable unit is a good way to test whether air conditioning suits your needs before investing in a permanent system," he says. "While they’re usually louder than wall-mounted units, the trade-off in cost and flexibility is often worth it."

FAQs

Can I install a wall-mounted air conditioner myself?

In short, no, you can't.

The work needs to be carried out by an F-gas qualified engineer. This will ensure the system is working properly and is safe to use.

In addition to fitting an air conditioning unit, it is well worth looking into how to keep a house cool using other methods – there are lots of tricks to try.

Although not every type of heat pump can cool a home, air to air heat pumps can. But, just because the option is available, you still need to establish if it's the right version for your home.

It's even more important to investigate further if you're considering a heating system upgrade as part of your home renovation plans. What may work in a new self-build, where everything is being designed from scratch, might not be as simple when modernising an older property.

So what do you need to consider if you're seeking a solution that will both cool and heat your home?

Choosing the right type of heat pump

Although the term heat pump is used in a generic way, there are a number of different types of heat pump and only two of them can cool a home.

And, while the answer to can a ground source heat pump cool a house is simply yes, it's not quite as straightforward when it comes to air source heat pumps.

Not all air to water heat pumps can cool a house, whereas air to air heat pumps do have the functionality to provide both hot and cold air flow.

But, this also comes with a caveat. Not many air to air heat pumps can also heat water, which as we'll come onto explain, means it might not always be the best solution if you are looking for a heat pump that can do it all.

How do heat pumps cool a house?

If you're weighing up heat pumps vs air conditioners, the simple way to explain it is that an air to air heat pump is essentially an air conditioning unit that works in reverse.

"An air to air heat pump operates in a similar way to a fridge," explains Hamid Salimi, residential product manager at Daikin UK. "It exchanges energy from the outdoor air, and air to air heat pumps cool the space by the process of refrigerant evaporation and condensation.

"In heating mode, an air to air heat pump absorbs energy from the outdoor air and releases it as heat through the indoor unit. In cooling mode, the process is reversed: heat is extracted from inside your home and released outside," he explains.

Andy Pattison, previously head of renewables at BOXT confirms that, "many people don’t realise is that air conditioning units are technically air to air heat pumps, so while in warmer months they remove heat from inside and release it outdoors, in cooler months they can reverse their operation to keep you warm.

"However, not all air source heat pumps can do this," he warns, "so it’s important to check the make and model carefully before making your choice. If you're uncertain or want to know more, the company you choose for installing your air source heat pump should guide you through your options when providing your initial fixed quote.”

Air to air or air to water?

Although air to air heat pumps can cool a house, as mentioned, it's not impossible for some air to water heat pumps to cool a room too. Some have a reverse function, which means they can also provide colder temperatures. But, they may not be the best solution if you are considering upgrading your current heating system, warns Andy Pattison.

"While both types of air source heat pumps are technically capable of offering cooling, we would typically recommend that an air to water heat pump should only be considered for cooling if it’s being installed in a new-build home where it can be factored into the building design."

Why? "Because this type of heat pump requires correctly installed underfloor heating or fan coil units, and wouldn’t work with the radiators that most UK homes have." Air to air heat pumps on the other hand, "are much simpler to retrofit and can offer both heating and cooling in one or more rooms in your home," he says.

But, don't forget this important point. If you are assessing if your home is suitable for an air source heat pump, you'll also need to take your hot water supply into account, as well as your heating and cooling needs.

While air to air heat pumps have historically not been designed with hot water supply in mind, companies are recognising the need for solutions that cater to more than just heat. And with rising temperatures becoming an issue for us all, the juggle between hot and cold is increasingly becoming part of the discussion.

Companies are starting to recognise the growing need for products that fulfil a number of different needs, with Daikin's all-in-one system, Multi+ a prime example of the changing face of heating systems.

"Offering heating, cooling, air purification and domestic hot water for small and mid-size homes, it connects to five units and one domestic hot water tank," explains Hamid Salimi. "The unit is compatible with a 120 and 230-litre tank and a wide range of indoor units. The outdoor unit is compact, which means that it is ideal for small outdoor spaces such as balconies and terraces."

But, with a limit still on the space it can both heat and cool, if your home is larger, you may still find it makes more sense to install air conditioning and ensure you have plenty of other measures in place to keep a room cool too.

FAQs

What radiators do I need for an air-to-water heat pump that cools?

So why can't you just use a standard radiator with an air-to-water heat pump that does cool? Nick Duggan, MD of the Radiator Centre explains more.

"Fan-assisted radiators designed for use with heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling when connected to a compatible system. Rather than relying purely on natural convection like traditional types of radiator, they use low-energy fans to draw air across a heat exchanger, significantly improving heat transfer.

"In heating mode, warm water from the heat pump is circulated through the radiator to provide even, comfortable warmth at lower flow temperatures," he continue. "In cooling mode, chilled water passes through the unit, allowing it to absorb heat from the room and gently reduce indoor temperatures."

While the process of how they work sounds simple enough, is retrofitting them easy? Is it more complicated than changing your current radiators to larger ones in the same style?

It's not necessarily more complicated says Nick, but there are a couple of extra things to think about.

"Like standard radiators, fan-assisted radiators still connect into the same water-based heating system, so the basic installation isn’t any more complicated when you’re upgrading to a heat pump.

"The main difference is that these units need electricity as well, because they use small fans to help move air through the radiator. That just means an electrical connection is required for each unit, which isn’t needed with standard radiators," he explains.

"Plus, if you want to use the cooling function, the system also needs to be set up for it from the start. That means the heat pump must be able to provide cooling, and the installer will need to make sure everything is designed to manage moisture in the air safely.

"In practice, when it’s planned properly as part of the heat pump installation, it isn’t significantly more complicated," he notes, "it just needs a bit more coordination between the heating and electrical design."

It's also worth clarifying that you may need to allocate more to your heat pump costs budget if you do opt for radiators that can cool. They are slightly more expensive confirms Nick, "mainly because they include built-in fans and controls, and because they’re designed to work efficiently with lower temperature heating systems like heat pumps, while also offering cooling when needed.

"However, they can add real value by combining heating and cooling in one system," he emphasies, "which in many homes, can remove the need for separate air conditioning costs, helping to balance out the initial uplift in price over time."

So, while the answer to can a heat pump cool a house can be yes, it's certainly a decision that needs plenty of consideration and discussion with your supplier before you make any final choices.

It's likely that air source heat pump costs will be a contributing factor when picking your system, as will whether you are renovating or self-building.

And, if it's the latter, make sure you are also designing your home to prevent overheating, so that whatever system you do install is able to function effectively.

They might be sleek, quiet, and promise to make your home feel fresher, but can an air purifier cool a room? It’s a question that crops up surprisingly often, especially as temperatures show no signs of dropping and we start to think more seriously about how to keep our homes cool in summer.

The answer? Not quite. While an air purifier might improve the feel of a room by filtering out pollen, dust and stale air, it won’t bring the temperature down. Knowing what an air purifier actually does – and what it doesn’t – can help you decide which appliances are really worth switching on when the heat sets in.

In this guide, we’ll unpack why so many homeowners confuse air purifiers with cooling appliances, and explore how combining them with an air conditioner or fan could give you the best of both worlds.

Can an air purifier cool a room?

“No, an air purifier can’t cool a room,” explains Nicholas Auckland, home energy expert at Trade Radiators. “An air purifier’s job is to clean the air, not cool it.”

Air purifiers work by drawing in air, passing it through internal filters that capture dust, pollen, pet dander and other particles, and then releasing that cleaned air back into the space. While this process might make a room feel fresher, it doesn’t have any impact on actual temperature.

“The movement of the air from its fan might create a very very slight breeze, but it doesn’t actually have any cooling mechanism,” Auckland adds. “In fact, the process of running the motor may even add a very minuscule amount of heat to the room.”

If you’ve seen products described as both air purifiers and coolers, it’s worth looking closely at the specifications. According to Auckland: “If a product is advertised as an ‘air purifier and cooler’, then it’s likely an air cooler (an evaporative cooler) that has a filter in it. Air coolers are not the same as air conditioners – they cool the air by evaporating water, which often tends to be less effective in the UK’s often humid climate and can actually make the room feel damp and moist.”

In short, while air purifiers contribute to comfort by cleaning the air, they don't provide relief from the heat, and confusing them with cooling appliances could leave you disappointed when temperatures rise.

Reasons to use an air purifier in summer

An air purifier might not bring the temperature down, but that doesn’t mean it won’t improve how your home feels when it’s hot outside. In summer, many of us keep windows closed to block out heat, noise or pollution, which can lead to stuffy, stale air indoors. This is where a purifier really earns its place.

“Air purifiers don’t cool a room down, but they do make it feel fresher,” explains Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at AO.com. “Your air purifier will clean the air and remove dust, pollen, smoke and any airborne nasties – this will go a long way to making your space feel less muggy during any heatwaves.”

If you have pets, live in a city or suffer from hayfever, summer can be especially challenging. As temperatures rise, so does pollen and pet shedding. An air purifier can help by removing allergens and airborne irritants from your home environment, meaning you can breathe easier without needing to rely on open windows.

What appliances actually cool a room down?

“To actually cool down a room, you need to remove the heat from it,” explains Nicholas Auckland. “Home air conditioning will do this by using a refrigerant cycle to absorb heat from the indoor air and transfer it outside.”

Some homeowners also turn to evaporative air coolers, which chill the air by passing it over water-saturated pads. These can work in drier climates, but are often less effective in the UK, where humidity levels are often higher. Auckland warns they can “actually make the room feel damp and moist” when used in the wrong conditions, which is the opposite of what you want during a heatwave.

Fans are another option to bring the heat down, though they don’t cool the air itself. Instead, they circulate it around the room to create a breeze that helps your body feel cooler. When paired with other appliances, they can still make a noticeable difference on warmer days though.

When to pair an air purifier with air conditioning

“You can combine an air purifier and air conditioning if you want to improve air quality and manage heat at the same time,” explains Chris Michael, CEO at Meaco. “The air conditioner controls temperature and humidity, while the purifier helps reduce allergens, dust, and other airborne particles.”

This combined approach is particularly useful in cities or during high pollen days when you want to keep your windows and doors closed.For the best results, it’s worth thinking about placement. “You need to position them in different parts of the room to promote better overall air circulation,” explains Nicholas Auckland. “The air conditioner cools and moves the air, and the purifier can then effectively capture any airborne particles.”

Shop air purifiers and home cooling appliances

If you're weighing up an air purifier vs dehumidifier, it helps to know they do very different jobs. Purifiers clean the air by removing allergens and pollutants, while dehumidifiers tackle excess moisture to help prevent damp and mould.

'How much air conditioning noise can I expect' is arguably one of the most common questions asked by anyone considering adding it to their homes. But, is it realistic to expect it to be whisper quiet?

With fixed air conditioning units comprising interior and exterior units, and portable air conditioners venting externally through windows, it's safe to assume you will experience some level of volume, but how much?

We explore air conditioning noise and whether one solution is quieter than another so you know what to expect when choosing a system or cooling solution.

Fixed air conditioning noise: How noisy is it?

If you're investing in the air conditioning costs for a fixed system, you'll want to be sure that it's money well spent. While the cooling breeze it will bring is guaranteed to bring relief from rising temperatures, if you can't bear to turn it on because it's simply too noisy, you will have wasted money, time and effort.

“One of the most common concerns people have about air con is noise," agrees Adam Knight, a lead engineer at heating and cooling experts, BOXT. "But modern systems are surprisingly quiet," he assures us.

"The indoor units BOXT installs, such as high-efficiency Bosch models, are designed to be whisper-quiet. They typically produce around 50 - 55 decibels of sound, which is comparable to low background music or a modern fridge running," he explains.

"Some Bosch units even come with a 'silent mode' feature which reduces the indoor sound even further to 21 decibels," he adds.

"Overall, air conditioning is certainly quieter than an oscillating fan whirring away in the corner of the room," says Adam.

It's a statement backed up by Hamid Salimi, residential product manager at Daikin UK.

"While it’s normal for air conditioning (otherwise known as air-to-air heat pumps) to make some noise, they are much quieter than most people think," says Hamid.

"Indoor units make a gentle whirring noise which measures around 30 decibels. For context, that’s quieter than a refrigerator and as soft as a whisper, meaning it’s very unlikely that an air conditioning unit will cause a noise disturbance to you or your neighbours," he explains.

Is the noise level from the outdoor unit more than the indoor one?

While on the subject of neighbours, you'll also need to remember that as well as indoor noise, fixed air conditioning installation will include an external unit that will be placed outside.

So is this as quiet as the indoor unit, or will it generate more noise?

"The outdoor unit does make more noise," confirms Adam Knight, "around 60 to 65 decibels – but again, it's important to remember this is similar to the level of background noise on a street. Because it’s installed outside, you’re also unlikely to hear much from indoors."

"A typical Daikin air-to-air outdoor unit is usually no louder than 60 decibels, just like an electric toothbrush or a normal conversation," agrees Hamid Salimi, noting how there are also industry regulations to protect you and your neighbours against the air conditioning noise produced by your system.

"Heat pumps are not permitted to produce more than 65-70 decibels, depending on their power," explains Hamid. " That’s the same noise level as a dishwasher."

Worried a nieghbour may question the noise level of your air con external unit? "For extra peace of mind, all heat pumps must have a CE label stating their sound level," says Hamid, meaning you can clearly show them what noise it's producing.

If however noise of any kind is a top concern, there are ways to help reduce it further.

"Choosing a premium brand with quieter technology, ensuring the unit is properly installed and serviced, and placing the external unit in a sensible location can all help," says Adam.

"Expert installers should always be trained to advise on the quietest, most efficient set-up for your space too," he adds.

Portable air conditioning noise levels

Not able to retrofit air con and instead find yourself looking at the best portable air conditioning units? Noise should again inform your buying decisions, so before you press buy, what should you expect once you've set it up?

“Portable air conditioners are not silent appliances as they compress air, circulate it, and expel heat," says Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at AO.com.

"You should certainly expect a bit of humming," she confirms, but how loud is this humming?

"Typically speaking, this is usually between 50-65 decibels depending on the model of your air conditioner and the setting you’re running," says Katie. "By comparison, this is about the same as a dishwasher, light traffic or even a normal conversation."

But, while kitchen appliances such as dishwashers and fridges are often integrated, which helps to partially reducing the noise produced, portable air con units need to be left in the open in order to work properly. Add to this any additional external noise from having a window open for the external vent, and there's no doubt that a portable model will be noisier than fixed air con.

But is it noisier than a fan which circulates air, even if it doesn't cool it? Again it depends on the model you buy and exactly what it is you need. Having tested the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Fan, it certainly felt as if it was as whisper quiet as promised, whereas cheaper pedestal fans I've used are often equally as noisy as a portable air con unit.

To expect something that works so hard to be silent isn't realistic, but you can make sure you choose the quietest model by checking the decibel ratings on the product description before you buy, or looking for units that are Quiet Mark rated.

Shop these quiet cooling appliances

FAQs

Why is my portable air con unit so noisy?

“If your air conditioner is running at a much louder volume than expected, this could be the sign of problems," warns Katie Lilywhite. "It could indicate there is an obstruction in the filter or hose, or it might be struggling on an extra hot day.

"To keep things as quiet as possible, keep your filters clean and be sure to keep all windows and doors closed," she suggests, "which will stop your air conditioner from overworking and being any noisier than it needs to be."

Where you position your air con unit will form part of the advice given during installation, but make sure you also know what best advice is by reading our guide to the 7 places never to put air conditioning. And, if a portable air con unit is your only option, weigh up the differences first between air con vs air coolers to check you are buying the right product.

The UK government is considering expanding its Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include air-to-air heat pumps that offer both heating and cooling.

A consultation launched in July 2025 seeks views on whether these systems should be eligible for the £7,500 grant currently available for other types of heat pumps.

The proposal comes amid growing concerns over rising summer temperatures and the need for homes to adapt.

Government explores adding cooling to grant scheme

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has opened a consultation to assess whether air-to-air heat pumps should be eligible for support through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

These systems, which provide both heating and cooling, are not currently included in the heat pump grant scheme.

A government spokesperson said: “With extreme heat becoming more frequent, it’s right to consider how future-ready technologies can be supported alongside existing clean heat options.”

The department indicated that the change could be made using existing Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding, with no expected increase to overall costs.

Installers and manufacturers call for broader eligibility

Industry figures, including The Apprentice winner Dean Franklin, have called for the inclusion of air conditioning systems in grants schemes to reflect changing homeowner needs.

Franklin, whose business is backed by Lord Sugar, says customer demand has shifted: “Consumers want systems that work all year round - not just heating in winter.”

Several manufacturers, such as Daikin, NIBE and Baxi Heating, have also indicated that wider eligibility could help reduce costs through scale, supporting both affordability and adoption.

Consultation signals wider shift in home energy policy

The consultation also includes proposals to allow more flexible ownership and leasing models for air source heat pumps, and to support emerging technologies like heat batteries.

Experts say expanding the scheme to include cooling reflects a broader shift in policy toward climate adaptation.

Ed Miliband confirmed last month in Parliament: “In my Department, as we drive forward our plan to upgrade millions of homes, we have consulted on expanding the boiler upgrade scheme to include air-to-air heat pumps, which can offer cooling as well as heating.” 

A decision on the consultation is expected later in 2025, with implementation possible in 2026.

The recent heatwaves and sleepless nights have finally tipped me over the edge and made me consider getting a fan for our bedroom. I've previously been put off as I'm such a light sleeper that the slightest noise can wake me up, but a fan that promised to cool our room with less than a whisper of noise was something I was happy to put to the test.

The new Duux Whisper Flex 2 fan (available from Amazon) is endorsed by Quiet Mark, meaning it meets high standards for its low noise levels. Duux claims it comes in at only 13 decibels on the lowest fan settings, which is less than a whisper apparently as that measures around 30 decibels.

Having tried cheaper desk fans in the past and been disappointed by how noisy they were, I was keen to see if the Duux Whisper Flex 2 would make it onto our list of the best air cooling fans. More importantly though, would it save me from restless, sweaty nights in a heatwave?

Unboxing and setting up the fan

The fan arrived in a relatively compact package that was lightweight and easy for me to pick up. Once opened, I could see the different fan components were neatly packaged inside and would need assembling.

There were seven different packages within the box, and I was pleased to see that all of the packaging can be recycled, including the bags that hold the individual components as these can be composted.

There was also a small booklet with diagrams on how to assemble the fan. I think the instructions could have been slightly clearer and bigger, but then I'm never a fan of assembling anything ( I typically delegate that to my husband), so other people may find the instructions super easy to follow.

The first thing that threw me was that it showed you had to insert a battery pack in the base, but there was no battery included in the box. A quick look on the website and I realised this is an additional extra and only required if you want to use the fan without a mains power supply, so not essential for me.

Once I'd sat down and worked out how to put it together from the images, it was relatively easy to assemble. The first column should slot neatly into the base, followed by the second one with the fan head on top.

At first I couldn't get them to slot in, but soon realised that each column features one wide prong and one narrower one, so you have to make sure you have each column lined up correctly with the right-sized hole. Once I'd turned the column 180 degrees, it slotted in perfectly.

One thing to note is you will need to have a screwdriver to unscrew the main fan casing so you can insert the blades and it's a bit fiddly to do it.

All in, however, it probably only took around 15 minutes to fully assemble everything, although I needed a second pair of hands to hold the fan steady while I slotted the casing back into place and tightened the small screw that keeps it firmly closed.

The last thing you need to do is insert the power cable in the base, plug it in and you're good to go.

First impressions

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the Whisper Flex 2's stylish looks. The sleek base with its touch-activated LED display feels super modern, while the off-white finish (this is the Stone colourway) will suit any room scheme, although it's also available in black and grey if you prefer a different colour.

The remote control is compact, easy to use and has a smart matt finish, although if I was being super picky I would have preferred it to be in white rather than black to match the fan.

The LED display on the base of the Whisper Flex 2 is easy to understand and I had no problem switching on the fan and activating the different modes from there or by using the remote control.

It also has a sturdy handle at the back of the fan that makes it easy to carry from room to room, so you can use it where and when you need it most to help keep your house cool.

It's certainly a step up from pedestal fans I've used and seen in the past, and although it perhaps doesn't have the wow factor of bladeless tower fans from the likes of Dyson or Shark, it's cheaper and still packs a punch in the style stakes.

Just like the similarly priced MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator that we've also reviewed for Homebuilding & Renovating, it's part of a new breed of pedestal fans that are sleeker and more style conscious.

Duxx Whisper Flex 2 specifications

The Whisper Flex 2 comes with a whole host of benefits:

• Super-quiet noise levels from 13dB – 55dB (depending on the setting you use)
• Two-year guarantee
• Vertical and horizontal oscillation
• 30 speed settings
• Remote control
• Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
• Timer function
• Night mode
• 15m range
• Adjustable height
• Child safety lock
• Air flow per hour of 1,750 m³
• Weighs 4.2kg

Using the Duux Whisper Flex 2 fan in my home

We haven't got air conditioning anywhere in our home, so the first place I was keen to try the fan was in my bedroom. I hate sleeping in a hot bedroom, so summer and heatwaves are always tricky when it comes to me getting a good night's sleep. I have the windows open at night whatever the time of year and I'm never happier than when our room is like an ice box in winter and I get to snuggle up under the duvet!

Whether it's summer or winter, I always seem to find the room far hotter than my husband does, and when you add perimenopausal hot flushes into the equation as well, I often feel like I'm sleeping in a sauna. I've lost track of the number of times I've woken up in the night feeling too hot and then struggle to get back to sleep.

The first night I used the fan in our room the daytime temperature had been in the mid-20s so our bedroom was still feeling warm by the time I went to bed. I set the fan up on my side of the bed near to the window with the hope that it would help to boost our ventilation by drawing cooler night air into the room as well.

Using the remote I set it on the night mode so it was a lower, quieter setting. Having it in this mode also means any beeps are eliminated if you change the settings during the night, plus the LED display dims so there are no bright lights to disturb your sleep.

The result? I had no issues falling asleep and even if I did briefly wake up during the night the fan was so quiet that I barely noticed it and had no problems falling back to sleep. If anything, the gentle movement of air that I could faintly hear proved to be quite relaxing. There's even a natural wind mode which Duux claims "adjusts fan speed to mimic the rhythms of real wind, for an incredibly relaxing cooling experience."

On subsequent nights the days have been even hotter as we approach another heatwave and the Whisper Flex 2 has done a brilliant job of keeping me cooler at night without disturbing my sleep.

I also haven't had to worry about how much all of this is costing me in terms of electricity. According to Duux, it costs less than 1p per hour to run the Duux on the lowest setting. Paying just 8p for a night of fan-cooled sleep sounds like a bargain to me!

Switching to a desk fan

One of the things I love most about the Duux Whisper Flex 2 is how you can convert it from a pedestal fan to a desk fan in just a few seconds. Simply release the top section, remove the bottom column and then insert the top section of the fan directly into the base. It turns it from a 92cm standing fan to a handy 54cm desk/table fan that can sit neatly in my workspace.

My home office area gets full sun mid- to late-afternoon and can therefore become uncomfortably hot. When my laptop starts sounding like a plane that's about to take off, you know it's getting too warm in the room.

Adding the fan to my home workspace has been brilliant on those sunny afternoons. Rather than feel overtired in the heat, it's helped me to stay energised and refreshed towards the end of the day. It's also quiet enough to have on in the background during video meetings without disturbing everyone on the call.

The kids have also got in on the fan action too. Both of their bedrooms get the hot afternoon sun through their windows so during heatwaves their rooms can become unbearably hot.

My son has loved having the fan alongside his desk to keep him cool while he does his homework after school, while my daughter has been pinching it to lower the temperature in her bedroom in the evenings while she's at swim training, meaning it's cooler in there when she gets home and wants to go straight to bed.

Should you buy the Duux Whisper Flex 2?

It's safe to say that the whole family is a fan of the Duxx Whisper Flex 2. It works brilliantly for a multitude of uses, easily switching from a home office set-up to a taller pedestal fan for a bedroom.

The night mode is a big bonus for me, ensuring I have the benefit of a fan without having to worry about being disturbed by an appliance. It's also easier to move around the house than a portable air conditioning unit would be – even my two kids can easily carry it from one room to the next.

The reason I've only given it 4.5 stars instead of 5? Although I was able to download the Duxx app and locate the fan via Bluetooth, it wouldn't connect to our Wi-Fi. I tried various troubleshooting options, but we just couldn't get it to connect so I haven't been able to test how you control it from the app. Other reviews I've read online have said that it's easy to use with the app, so it could be the issue is with our internet and not the fan itself, especially as we've recently changed our router. I'll be trying again and add an update here once it's sorted!

That small issue hasn't stopped us enjoying the benefits of having a sleek, modern fan in the house. It's easy to control from the remote control or the base and I love how quiet it is, even when on the higher settings, something other reviewers are also quick to point out, with many comments saying that it's "ultra quiet".

Do I think it's worth the price tag? Although it's not the cheapest fan you can buy, it's certainly less expensive than other designer models and not as expensive as installing air conditioning. And if you want a fan that delivers on the cooling front, is super quiet and looks good sat in the corner of your room or on a desk, then yes, this is a smart choice.

Next on my list? I'm off to put my fan through another test and try the latest TikTok hack on how to use a fan to remove hot air from a room.

Weighing up the differences in air conditioning vs fans will generally come down to looking at three main factors: performance, appearance and costs.

And while each appliance will have its own merits in different categories, and perhaps one category will be more important to you than the others, choosing the right air conditioning product is becoming even more important with heatwaves making a more regular appearance.

In this article, we break down the pros and cons of air conditioning vs fans so you can make the right purchasing choice.

1. Air conditioning vs fans: appearance

If you're particularly house proud and prefer your appliances and tech to be out of sight, choosing the right type of air conditioning will involve weighing up how the different systems will impact on the overall look of your home.

And while fixed air con systems with wall or ceiling mounted fans or vents can avoid the look of bulky appliances cluttering up your floor plan, if air conditioning costs are too prohibitive, a portable air conditioning unit may well be your only option.

Similar to the appearance of some of the best dehumidifiers, (a function also offered by many portable air conditioning units), they are nonetheless not the most attractive of home appliances – particularly as they can't be integrated.

Add to this the the fact a flexible section of ducting has to run from the back of the machine to an open window, and it could be a step too far for those of you with a keen eye for aesthetics.

That said, although some models look more like commercial machines than others, their plain white or black exterior does mean they can blend more easily into the background than first impressions might suggest.

So what about fans? There's no denying their appearance has received a general makeover in recent years, with the likes of Meaco, Shark and Dyson all pushing the boundaries of design, producing models such as the MeacoFan Sefte 8" Rechargeable Fan , and the Dyson Hot & Cool Jet Focus, both available from Amazon, that are a far cry from the clunky pedestal fans of old.

Sleeker design and smaller foot print models such as tower or blade fans can all sit more comfortably in contemporary homes, and with table top fans also receiving a similar makeover, you can pop them on tables or shelving so they can't as in obtrusive as floor standing products.

But, with air conditioning and fans both needing to fulfil the objective of cooling, it's the category of performance that should really be the strongest influence in choosing between an air conditioning unit vs a fan.

2. Air conditioning vs fan: performance

It's in the category of performance where there are even more marked differences between air conditioning vs fans.

"A fan doesn’t cool the room, it cools you," explains Hamid Salimi, residential product manager at Daikin UK. "By boosting airflow, a fan helps your body release heat and evaporate sweat, making you feel cooler."

Or, to put it more simply, "fans only circulate air whereas air conditioners cool and dehumidify the same air," adds Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at AO.com.

"What many people don’t realise is air conditioning is the same environmentally friendly technology as a heat pump and works much like a fridge, transferring energy using a refrigerant cycle," says Hamid.

"Unlike fans, an air conditioning unit cools the entire space by using refrigerant to absorb heat through evaporation and release it through condensation. Some fixed air conditioning systems such as air to air heat pumps can also provide much more than cooling," he expands.

"In heating mode, air conditioning units absorb energy from the outdoor air and release it as heat through the indoor unit. In cooling mode, the process is reversed: heat is extracted from inside your home and released outside.

Of course, there are ways to make a fan feel like it's moving cooler air around the room, such as placing an bowl of ice in front of it and making sure you've taken on board all the ways to make a room cooler, including keeping windows and curtains closed, so that the air your fan circulates is cooler than the air outdoors.

But, fans will never produce cold air, unless you opt for something in-between such as an air cooler which draws in hot air, blows it over cold water soaked pads and then returns this cooled air into the room.

3. Air conditioning unit vs fans: cost

While there is a vast difference between fixed air conditioning costs, both in terms of how much air conditioning installation costs and the running costs of a portable air conditioning unit vs a fixed system, comparing air conditioning vs fan costs is a little more complex.

Having paid both budget and premium prices for fans, it does seem to be you get what you pay for. I recently reviewed the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Fan which costs around £180. Was it worth the price? Absolutely. It ticked plenty of boxes in terms of appearance and performance and I've no doubt it will last – unlike the cheap and cheerful budget pedestal fans I've panic bought in the past that were either unbearably noisy or only lasted one season.

Purchasing costs for air conditioning vs fans can therefore seem to vary wildly, with some budget fans coming in under £30, while portable air conditioning units can cost upwards from around £250. However, if you consider a more premium fan and compare this with the cost of a good quality air conditioner, the gap starts to shrink.

Running costs of each type again vary, but understandably so given a portable unit is cooling and distributing that air, whereas a fan is only moving the air that exists around the room.

An air con unit designed to heat a medium sized room, such as this Delonghi Pinguino PAC EL110 from the Air Con Centre, will cost around 28p per hour to run compared to the MeacoFan Sefte which my smart meter said was only costing 1p per hour.

Of course, if the air is being more effectively cooled, you may run the air con unit for less time than a fan, but it's never going to be as cheap as a fan in the long run.

Where to buy air con units and fans

The recent spate of heatwaves means some suppliers are already showing out of stock listings on many items. However, there are still products available at Amazon, B&Q, The Air Con Centre and AO.com, to name a few.

Katie Lilywhite's final tips for choosing between portable air conditioning vs fans? It's as you'd expect with one additional suggestion if you have the space and budget.

“Fans and air conditioners both have their place and ultimately it comes down to how hot and bothered you're feeling," she says.

"Some of the pros of fans are they’re cheap, cheap to run and much quieter than an air conditioner. However, for sheer power and performance look no further than an air conditioner," she advises.

"But," shares Katie, "a little-known fact is that when you run the two together, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds. Fans are great for quick relief in well-ventilated spaces, and when combined with an air conditioner, this will result in a lovely cool breeze being blown around the whole room.”

Off to shop? Make sure you've worked out what size air conditioning unit you need before you press buy, and understand what are places never to put air conditioning which includes tips for the best location for your portable air conditioning unit.

Let’s face it, we Brits aren’t exactly made for 30°C + temperatures. So, when the country is gripped by a heatwave, we instinctively reach for a fan to try and keep our homes cool. But it turns out we may have been using them all wrong and TikTok has something to say about it.

Rather than pointing the fan directly at yourself and hoping for the best, users on the platform are flipping the script – quite literally – by positioning their fans to face out of their bedroom windows instead.

The idea is to push hot air outside of the room, rather than just swirling it around inside. And while it might sound counterintuitive, the results are surprisingly effective. Below, we asked experts why and how this social media 'hack' actually works.

The clever fan 'hack' shared on Tik Tok

This clever fan trick started gaining traction when home content creators –– such as @alexthecleaner (featured above) –– began sharing reels showing how they use a standard desk fan in a way most of us had never considered. Instead of pointing it into the room, they positioned the fan so it blows out of their bedroom window.

Naturally, the comments came flooding in, with many viewers admitting they’d never thought to use a fan this way. One follower wrote, “This feels wrong, but it works so well,” while another chimed in with, “Can you really call physics a ‘hack’?”

So, how does this reverse-fan method actually work? We asked the experts…

How and why does it work?

To understand what’s really going on, we asked Nicholas Auckland at Trade Radiators and Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at AO.com, to explain the science.

“Positioning a fan to face out of an open window works like an exhaust fan,” explains Nicholas. “It creates negative pressure inside the room, which actively pushes the warm, stale air out. As this air is removed, cooler, fresher air from outside is drawn in to replace it. You're essentially creating a ventilation system.”

Katie agrees, describing the process as “reverse ventilation.” “When you point your fan facing outwards through a window, you’re basically creating an exhaust system. Your fan pulls the warmer air from inside your room and pushes it outside, which can be surprisingly effective at lowering your room’s temperature – especially when it feels stuffy and stagnant during a muggy night.”

So how does this compare to using a fan the more traditional way?

“Pointing a fan at yourself doesn't actually lower the room's temperature at all,” Nicholas explains. “It creates a wind chill effect, which helps you feel cooler by evaporating sweat from your skin. But if you’re not in the direct path of the breeze, you won’t feel much benefit, as the fan isn’t cooling the air, it’s just moving it around.”

Katie adds: “You’ll enjoy a breeze, of course, but it doesn’t reach the root of the problem – the heat stuck in your room. Facing your fan outside can actually remove this heat and help create a genuinely cooler environment, especially in the early mornings or late evenings.”

When to try it

If you're tempted to try this hack at home, timing is everything. “This technique works best in the late evening or early morning when the outside air is noticeably cooler than the air inside,” explains Nicholas. “If the air outside is warmer or the same temperature, you're just drawing in more heat, which makes the whole thing pointless.”

Katie expands on this: “You’ll want to run your fan at these times before the sun ramps the heat up. However, you’ll struggle to pull off this trick during hot afternoons. If the temperature is hotter outdoors than it is in your home, then all you’ll do is pull hotter air in, making things worse.”

To get the most out of the method, both experts recommend creating a cross-breeze – a simple form of natural ventilation. “Open another window or door on the opposite side of the house,” suggests Nicholas. “This helps pull cooler air through the space and speeds up the cooling process. Of course, not all homes will allow for this depending on layout, but it can make a noticeable difference.”

During the peak heat of the day, the advice is simple: block the heat out. “Keep windows and curtains closed if the air outside is hotter,” Nicholas advises. “Blackout blinds are ideal. Use a fan to circulate air inside. Just make sure it’s facing you to create that cooling breeze effect.”

Shop the best fans for keeping cool

With energy costs on the rise and full-blown home air conditioning still a rarity in UK households, it’s easy to see why this clever fan trick is catching on. Most of us already have a portable fan on standby for summer, but it might be time to rethink how you’re using it. Still on the hunt for a reliable model? We’ve rounded up some of the best fans for cooling your home this summer:

Still too hot to sleep? Try this easy DIY air conditioning trick for an affordable way to cool down a room fast.

Understanding what size air con unit you need can make all the difference when it comes to keeping cool, or ending up feeling hot and bothered that your system isn't working as well as you thought it would.

But how do you figure out what size you need? Is it down to room size or do other elements such as how your home is constructed and how many rooms there are in total play a part too?

We asked experts what they recommend when it comes to choosing the right size of unit for your home, whether it's a permanently installed air conditioning solution, or a portable one, to help you avoid making any costly mistakes.

Choosing the right size fixed air con unit to install

Once you've decided on the right type of air conditioning unit to install in your home, choosing the size is normally something your chosen company and engineer will advise you on during the consultation process. But as a guide, here's what Adam Knight, lead engineer at BOXT explains regarding how they make that recommendation.

“It’s really important to make sure air conditioning units are correctly sized for your space," confirms Adam. "A smaller output will typically be cheaper to install and could be more cost-effective to run, but if the unit is too small, it won’t be able to cool or heat your space properly.

"Therefore, finding the right size ensures your system runs efficiently without wasting energy.

"At BOXT, we base the size of the air con unit on the specific room you’re cooling or heating," explains Adam. "It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach though," he warns. "We look at the exact dimensions of the space, but also other key factors like the number of windows, ceiling height, insulation, how much direct sunlight the room gets, and even the construction type of your home.

"A large, open-plan kitchen diner with a lot of architectural glazing, for example, will need a higher output than a smaller, shaded bedroom," he explains.

So while you may assume it's simply a case of measuring your room and that's enough, while this can give you an initial indication, it's a little more complex than that.

"When you get a quote through BOXT’s website for example," says Adam, "we ask a few questions to get this information, and then one of our expert review teams double-checks everything to make sure the recommended unit is the right size for optimal performance. Not too big, not too small. That way, you get consistent comfort without wasting energy.”

Choosing the right size portable air conditioning unit

While portable units may be cheaper to buy in terms of air conditioning costs, the running costs for a portable system can mount up, which is why understanding what size air conditioning unit you need is just as important for these short term solutions too.

And, in the same way as the size of a fixed air con unit is determined by more than just the size of the room it is cooling, other factors also come into play.

“Getting the right sized air conditioner is essentially about its cooling capacity," explains air treatment expert at AO.com, Katie Lilywhite. "Each air conditioner is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) and essentially if its too small it’ll struggle, too large and it’ll cycle off inefficiently.

“To calculate what size air conditioning unit you need for your home, you do need to think of the size of the space you want to run it in," confirms Katie, "but room specifics matter too," she says.

"Think of your ceiling height, insulation, windows and even the number of people in your given room. For instance, a sunny loft conversion will need far more power than a shaded ground-floor living room.

"As a rule of thumb, it’s always better to size slightly up rather than down," advises Katie. So consider buying a model that can more than adequately cover your room size, rather than just about being suitable.

“You’ll soon know if your air conditioner is too small for purpose too, as it’ll run constantly, attempting and failing to reach the target temperature," says Katie. "This is a waste of energy and can lead to higher energy bills.

“It’s also worth bearing in mind that portable air conditioners can’t cool multiple spaces at any given time," she adds, "so you will need one unit per key room. You can’t cool multiple floors with one unit as cool air doesn’t travel well up or down stairs, it settles in one space."

Shop these portable air conditioning units for your home

Convinced you have the right size unit but it's still not performing well? Check you're not making one of these air conditioning mistakes, and also ensure you haven't unknowingly located your fixed or portable unit in one of the seven places never to put air conditioning.

When the temperature starts creeping up, air conditioning feels like the ultimate home upgrade; but if you’re not using your AC unit properly, it could be working harder than it needs to (and running up your energy bills in the process).

From forgetting to clean the filter to plonking your portable AC in the worst possible spot, these air conditioning mistakes are surprisingly easy to make. And whether you’ve got a built-in system or a plug-in model, the small stuff really does matter when it comes to how well your AC actually performs.

We asked the experts to share the most common missteps they see, plus their no-nonsense tips on how to fix them so your space stays cool all summer long.

Air conditioning mistakes

Not all air conditioning is created equal, and neither are the mistakes people make when using it.

“Mistakes are different depending on whether you have a fixed air conditioning unit, or a portable air conditioner unit,” explains Nicholas Auckland, home energy expert at Trade Radiators. "The setup and day-to-day care can vary quite a bit depending on the type of system you have. For instance, built-in systems are more powerful and permanent, but they require professional servicing and space to circulate the air properly. Portable units, on the other hand, are easier to move but rely on proper venting and careful placement to work efficiently."

Understanding what your system needs is the best way to avoid wasting energy, hiking up bills, and unnecessary wear and tear on your device.

Built-in air conditioning mistakes

These common slip-ups with fixed systems can lead to higher energy bills and poorer performance. Thankfully, they’re easy to avoid with a little knowhow.

Skipping professional AC servicing

“Without getting your air conditioning unit professionally serviced, there’s a higher chance of filters getting clogged up, refrigerant levels dropping, and drainage lines blocking,” explains Nicholas Auckland. “This will lead to a major drop in efficiency and costly, bigger fixes.”

To avoid any potential issues like this, it’s a good idea to get your system serviced at least once a year, ideally ahead of the summer season when you’ll be relying on it most. A professional will check refrigerant levels, clean or replace filters, and make sure there are no hidden issues that could cause a breakdown later on. Between visits, you can help keep things ticking over by keeping vents clear of dust and checking for any unusual noises or drips.

Blocking AC vents (inside or out)

Good airflow is essential if you want your AC unit to keep functioning at its best. If you’ve accidentally placed furniture in front of the indoor vents, or your outdoor unit is crowded by leaves or fencing, your system is likely having to work much harder to maintain the ideal summer AC temperature.

“The indoor part of the unit needs to circulate air freely,” explains Nicholas Auckland. “If it gets covered in leaves or you build a shed right next to it, it can’t dissipate heat effectively, and will cost more money and energy to run properly.”

Setting the temperature too low

It might feel like a good idea to turn your AC down as low as possible on a hot day, but cooler isn’t always better and it won’t speed things up either. Instead, it makes the unit work harder, uses more energy, and often leaves you feeling too cold, only to turn it off and start the cycle all over again.

“The purpose of air con is not to make us feel cold but to keep the temperature cool enough so that we don’t suffer with the heat,” says Noel Fok, CEO and co-founder of EcoAir. “To achieve the best balance between comfort and energy efficiency, set your air con between 22 and 24°C.”

Not only is this range more than enough to keep things comfortable, it also helps reduce power consumption. “Power consumption reduces by 3–5% with every degree increase,” Fok explains. “Essentially, the lower the temperature, the harder the unit has to work to cool the space, which means more energy is used, pushing running costs up.”

Leaving windows and doors open

It might seem harmless to crack open a window for some fresh air while the air con is running, especially in a stuffy room, but it's one of the easiest ways to undo all the cooling your system is working so hard to achieve.

"Leaving windows open while the unit is running is a frequent issue, as it lets warm air in and wastes energy," says Chris Michael, managing director of Meaco. Without a sealed environment, your air conditioner ends up fighting a losing battle. If you're using your AC, make sure windows and doors are closed so that cool air stays in and hot air stays out. You'll feel the benefit much faster, and your energy bills will thank you for it, too.

Portable air conditioning mistakes

A portable air conditioner is a great option if you need a flexible way to cool down a room, but it will still need a bit of know-how to do it job well. Simple things like where you place the unit or how you vent it can have a big impact on its performance.

Not sealing the venting hose properly

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make with portable air conditioners is not properly sealing the window gap where the venting hose sits. “A lot of people simply hang the hose out of an open window,” says Nicholas Auckland, “this is a complete waste of energy, as the hot air from outside comes straight back in, fighting the cooling effect it’s creating.”

To avoid this mistake, make sure you're using the correct window kit for your model, and ensure that any gaps are fully sealed. Many kits are adjustable and easy to install, and this small step can make a big difference to how well your unit keeps a house cool.

Letting the hose sag or bend

Even if you’ve sealed the hose correctly, its position can still affect performance. If the hose is too long, sagging, or kinked around furniture or corners, the unit will have to work much harder to push hot air out.

“The hose should be as short and as straight as possible,” explains Nicholas Auckland. “A long, sagging, or sharply bent hose will force the unit’s fan to work much harder to expel the hot air. This reduces efficiency and puts a massive strain on the motor.”

Try to keep the hose upright and direct, and avoid running it across the room. The closer the unit is to a venting window, the better.

Blocking the airflow

For your portable air conditioner to work at its best, it needs room to breathe. “Placement is key with your air conditioner,” explains Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at AO.com. “Don’t fall into the trap of placing this in a corner or behind your furniture. The appliance needs to breathe and circulate air, all you’ll do is make it work inefficiently.”

Ideally, place the unit near a window for easy venting, and give it a bit of breathing space on all sides so air can move freely.

Ignoring the AC drip tray

As well as cooling the air, portable air conditioners also remove moisture from it, and on humid days, that means they can collect quite a bit of water (which needs somewhere to go). Most models have a drip tray or internal water tank, which can fill up quickly on hot days.

“During a humid UK heatwave, you might need to empty it daily or more often,” cautions Nicholas Auckland. “Most units will likely have a safety switch that turns the cooling off when the tank is full, leading people to think their unit is broken.”

Make it a habit to check and empty the tray regularly during hot spells or look for a model with a continuous drainage option if you want to keep maintenance to a minimum.

Forgetting to clean the filter

“The air filter will get clogged with dust and other debris as it works,” explains Nicholas Auckland. “A blocked filter basically starves the unit of air, making it work much harder, reducing its cooling power and causing it to use more energy.”

Cleaning the filter is usually a simple job ­– most can be popped out and rinsed under the tap – but when in doubt check the manual for how often to clean yours. As a rule of thumb, once every couple of weeks during heavy use is a good idea.

Placing the unit on an uneven surface

It’s easy to roll a portable unit into the nearest available spot, but uneven flooring can cause all kinds of issues. If the unit isn’t level, the water in the collection tray may spill out , leading to leaks or puddles on the floor. For the best results, place your unit on a flat, hard surface – not on a rug or sloped floor – and make sure it’s steady.

Shop the best portable AC units

If you're not in the market for installing air conditioning in your home, try this clever DIY air conditioning hack to beat the heat this summer.

If you are finding the summer heat is increasingly getting in the way of enjoying day-to-day life, you may well have been considering ways to cool your house down – but do you know where not to install air conditioning if you want it to be a safe and efficient way to prevent your home from overheating?

"You’d be surprised how often we see air conditioning units installed in the wrong place," reveals the founder of Elite Renewables, Martyn Fowler.

If you have been looking at making space within your home for air conditioning, be that a fixed system or a portable unit, here's the seven places never to locate it, according to the experts.

1. In direct sunlight

If there is one place that air conditioning units should never be installed it is in direct sunlight. This can make it really hard to know what temperature your air conditioning should be set on.

"Avoid installing indoor units on south-facing walls or in conservatories where they’ll be exposed to constant direct sunlight," picks up Stephen Day, operations manager at iHeat. "This not only heats up the unit itself but also the surrounding wall, causing the AC system to work much harder than necessary to maintain a cool temperature. This can then often lead to the thermostat misreading the room’s actual temperature, triggering overcooling or short-cycling, which, over time, increases both energy consumption and wear on the unit.

"Technically, it’ll still work, but at a huge efficiency cost," continues Stephen. "For optimal performance, AC units should always be placed on shaded internal walls or away from windows where radiant heat could disrupt their performance."

2. In the kitchen

While you might be desperate to find a way to keep your kitchen cool while you work over a hot cooker, air conditioning installation might not be the answer.

"While it may seem logical to cool one of the warmest rooms in the house, installing an AC unit in the kitchen is usually counterproductive," explains Stephen Day. "Kitchens naturally generate a lot of heat from appliances like ovens, hobs, and dishwashers, not to mention the added complication of steam and grease. This puts your air conditioning unit in direct conflict with a constantly warm, moisture-heavy environment, which not only makes the unit less effective but accelerates wear and tear, particularly on filters and internal components.

"If cooling the kitchen is important, especially in an open-plan layout, this should be done as part of a multi-split or zoned system," continues Stephen. "That way, the load can be distributed across several rooms, preventing one hot zone from dragging down the entire system’s efficiency."

"You also want to avoid installing AC near ovens, radiators or even the back of a fridge," adds Martyn Fowler. "These heat sources throw off the unit’s readings and force it into overdrive trying to cool a space that’s artificially hot."

3. In the bathroom

Bathrooms can get really warm in the summer months and can feel particularly stifling after someone has just enjoyed a long shower. But be wary of fitting air con in this room.

"Bathrooms are another spot to avoid," says Martyn Fowler. "They tend to be damp and poorly ventilated, which isn't ideal for the electrical components in an AC system."

Instead of using an air conditioning unit, focus on other types of bathroom ventilation to keep the space fresh and cool – a great bathroom extractor fan, for example.

4. Behind furniture or curtains

Air conditioning units are not usually particularly beautiful so it is understandable that you might want to hide yours away – but this could seriously affect its performance as well as causing your air conditioning costs to rise in terms of running it.

"Air conditioning units need unrestricted airflow to operate effectively, yet one of the most common mistakes homeowners make is hiding units behind heavy curtains, large furniture like wardrobes, or recessing them into tight alcoves," says Stephen Day. "While this might look tidier or feel more discreet, it severely limits the system’s ability to circulate air.

"The result is patchy cooling, poor efficiency, and uneven room temperatures for both wall-mounted and portable units," continues Stephen. "Always give your AC plenty of open space to distribute air freely, ideally with at least a metre of clearance in front."

"We recommend at least 15cm clearance from the ceiling and surrounding walls," advises Martyn Fowler. "That gives it the room to 'breathe' and cool your space effectively."

5. Directly over or opposite beds and sofas

The idea of lying in bed or reclining on the sofa being wafted by the cool air emanating from your air conditioning system might seem appealing, but you might want to think twice before positioning a fixed system directly above or opposite your favourite relaxing spot. This is where one of the best portable air conditioners might work better.

"It might feel like a good idea to install your AC unit directly above your bed or across from the sofa for instant cooling relief; however, this can lead to long-term discomfort," explains Stephen May. "A constant blast of cold air, especially at night, can cause dryness, sore throats and disrupted sleep, while in living rooms, it can result in an unpleasant chill when seated for long periods.

"While many modern systems come with 'wind avoid me' or louvre control features to redirect airflow, these shouldn’t be used as a workaround for poor placement," adds Stephen. "The better option is to mount units higher on a side wall and angle them so air flows gently across the room, creating a balanced, comfortable climate."

Shop portable air conditioners

6. Avoid outdoor units in tight spaces

If you are going for a split-system, you will have an outdoor unit and the location of this needs to be taken into consideration too.

"Outdoor units need space, airflow, and ventilation to work properly, and installing them in enclosed areas, like tight alleyways, under decks, or behind bins, can cause hot air to recirculate, leading to overheating and system inefficiency," warns Stephen Day. "A lack of airflow also makes the compressor work harder, increasing energy use and wear. These installations are also harder to access for servicing or repairs, meaning higher long-term costs and potential downtime should any issues occur.

"I recommend allowing at least 30cm of clearance on all sides of the outdoor unit and choosing a location that’s shaded but well-ventilated," further explains Stephen. "This ensures it can expel heat efficiently, perform reliably, and remain easy to maintain over time."

7. Portable units in large open plan spaces

Even the best air conditioners need to be located with care to avoid running into issues later down the line.

"Portable air conditioners are incredibly handy in the right context, but many people overestimate their power," points out Stephen Day. "An 8,000 BTU unit might be perfect for a bedroom, but it will struggle to cool a large open-plan kitchen or living area. These spaces often have high ceilings, multiple heat sources, and fewer containment barriers, making them harder to cool evenly.

"Compounding the problem are long or kinked vent hoses, which can reduce exhaust efficiency and can leak warm air back into the room, making them far less beneficial than they should be. If a portable unit is used, it should be placed in a smaller, enclosed space with a low-opening window for venting and a short, straight hose. They’re brilliant for bedrooms, home offices, or guest rooms, but for open spaces, a split or multi-split wall-mounted system is a far better fit."

FAQs

Where is the best place to fit air conditioning?

Now you know where not to put an air conditioning unit, where should you locate it if you want to reap all the benefits?

"The best place to install an AC unit is high up on a central wall so the cool air can circulate naturally," advises Martyn Fowler. "Shaded, north- or east-facing rooms are ideal, especially if you're aiming for maximum efficiency during the warmer months."

"Cool air naturally sinks, so mounting the unit near the ceiling allows for better air distribution and more effective cooling," picks up Stephen Day. "It also reduces obstructions from furniture and avoids direct drafts on occupants. Living rooms and main bedrooms are ideal, just ensure the external condenser is placed in a shaded, accessible area with good airflow, ideally on a side wall or secure base outside."

Another often-overlooked spot is above patio doors, according to Stephen.

"Windows and patio doors are notorious heat spots in a home, making them a clever area to target with cooling, so installing a unit above one of these openings not only maximises performance in high-heat zones but also makes use of otherwise unused vertical space," he explains. "It’s especially effective in smaller rooms or areas with awkward layouts, where wall space might be limited. Many of today’s wall units are designed to be slimline and discreet, so placing them above a window can blend aesthetically as well, just ensure there’s still enough clearance for maintenance and airflow."

Where do portable air conditioners work best?

If you have decided, on weighing up wall-mounted vs portable air conditioners, that a portable unit makes more sense for you, where will it be most effective?

"Portable air conditioners need two things to work efficiently: a short, direct vent hose and a clear space for air intake and circulation," explains Stephen Day. "The best set-up is near a window that opens low enough to easily route the hose outside. Avoid long, winding vent ducts, which can cause backflow and heat leakage.

"Place the unit away from beds, thick rugs, or any furniture that might block its intake vents," continues Stephen. "Ideally, it should be on a hard floor rather than carpet to reduce vibration and noise. These units are best suited to bedrooms, small offices, or spare rooms, spaces where they can be neatly vented and aren’t overwhelmed by room size."

If you have a conservatory or orangery you might well be struggling to keep it at a comfortable temperature right now. Our guide on how to keep a conservatory cool should help you start enjoying spending time in it again.

It comes as little surprise that more and more homeowners are researching types of air conditioning of late. Whether rising temperatures are making day-to day tasks such as cooking dinner a little more tiring, or you are struggling to sleep in a due to a bedroom that refuses to cool down at night, home air conditioning could be the answer to your woes.

While UK homes have, historically, rarely been fitted with built-in air conditioning units, our climate is changing and the availability of domestic systems is increasing meaning it makes sense to consider some kind of cooling system.

Here, we explain the main types of air conditioning worth considering, whether building from scratch or upgrading your existing home.

What types of air conditioning are worth considering?

In general, there are three main types of air conditioning that experts recommend looking into for domestic set-ups in order to prevent overheating.

"We typically work with three main types of air conditioning systems – split systems, multi-split systems, and portable units," explains Martyn Fowler, founder of Elite Renewables. "Each has its place, depending on the size of the home, budget, and how often the system will be used."

If you are longing for a more comfortable climate in your home all year long, read on to find out the best type of air conditioning for your needs and budget.

Split air conditioning systems

If you want a permanent unit that won't cost the earth but will still deliver powerful cooling where it's needed, a split system could be for you. While the air conditioning installation is a little more involved than with a portable unit, it remains fairly straightforward, although you will need a registered F-Gas engineer to fit it.

"Split systems are the most common for domestic use," picks up Martyn Fowler. "You’ve got one indoor unit connected to one outdoor unit. They’re efficient, relatively quiet, and perfect for cooling a single room.

"Wall-mounted air conditioners, typically part of a split system, are fixed installations designed to cool (and heat) single rooms quickly and silently and are a favourite among homeowners who require year-round temperature control without compromising on aesthetics," explains Stephen Day, a home cooling expert from iHeat. "They're usually mounted high on a wall and are connected to an external compressor, so they don't take up any floor space, and the noise, which for the most part is generated outside, is generally negligible. The majority of newer models run as quietly as 20-24 dB – quieter than a whisper, and because they use inverter technology, they'll keep your room at the same temperature without the constant on-off cycling that's both annoying and inefficient."

Wondering what this kind of unit will set you back?

"Installation costs usually start from around £1,200 to £2,500, depending on the unit size and setup complexity," reveals Martyn Fowler.

Multi-split systems

If you want more than one unit in your home and require greater flexibility in terms of how you can control the temperatures in individual spaces, a multi-split system is well worth considering.

"A multi‑split setup connects several indoor units to one outdoor compressor," explains Martyn Fowler. "This gives you room‑by‑room control and better energy efficiency."

A single outdoor unit can often have as many as 10 indoor units connected to it, each of which can be controlled separately.

"Installation usually starts at around £3 000, but you get more flexibility and comfort throughout your home," points out Martin Fowler.

Portable air conditioning units

If you just want the option of occasionally cooling a room and don't love the idea of spending a fortune on something you feel you might not use all that often, by choosing one of the best portable air conditioners, your needs could well be met.

"Portable units plug in and vent through a window," explains Martyn Fowler. "They are perfect for temporary or rented spaces where installation is not possible."

"They're essentially plug-and-play appliances on wheels, usually with an exhaust hose that needs to be vented outside of a window," picks up Stephen Day. They do come with some compromises compared to a wall-mounted model. The cooling potential is generally limited to small rooms, and even high-BTU models will struggle to cool big rooms or older homes with poor insulation.

"Because everything, including the compressor and fan, is contained in the single unit, the noise levels are louder, often 50 dB or more, which can be bothersome in bedrooms or offices," adds Stephen.

"Prices generally range from £200 to £600, but they do run louder and cost more to run compared with fixed systems," says Martyn Fowler.

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Ducted air conditioning systems

If you are building a house from scratch or carrying out extensive remodeling or renovation work, it might be worth looking into having a ducted system installed.

"Some homes opt for ducted systems, but they’re rare in UK homes due to the lack of space for ductwork," explains Martyn Fowler. "They're more suited to new builds or larger renovations where you can plan the infrastructure in."

Ducted systems often use heat pump technology and feature an outdoor unit and single indoor unit fitted within the loft space or sometimes in a basement. This unit is connected to multiple rooms, with the concealed ductwork leading to discreet vents.

Which type of air conditioning is best for me?

Still undecided which option is best for you in terms of wall-mounted vs portable air conditioning?

"I tend to steer people towards wall-mounted systems if they are homeowners (as opposed to renters), constantly need to cool (or heat) their home, value their home’s aesthetics and prefer a system that is efficient and quiet," advises Stephen Day. "These are a long-term investment, and in today’s climate, both environmentally and weather-wise, they make a lot of sense. You also get the benefit of smart controls, zone comfort, and much less intrusion into your interior design."

"Think about how much you will use your system," suggests Martyn Fowler. "In the UK air con is still mainly a summer luxury, but with hotter summers on the horizon, investing in a well‑rated system with low running costs really pays off. Check energy efficiency ratings, noise levels and the cost of installation before deciding."

FAQs

What type of air conditioning is the cheapest?

When it comes to air conditioning costs, it is true that portable air conditioners are cheaper to buy than wall-mounted units, but there is a little more to it than this, including running costs.

"You can get a good portable unit for £300 to £500, and sometimes less," says Stephen Day. "They also require no installation, which is a big appeal to renters or those in listed buildings where it can be impossible to get a wall-mounted set-up.

"However, while portable air conditioners appear cheaper upfront, that’s not the whole story," continues Stephen. "Operating expenses add up fast, and these units typically consume between 800 and 1,500 watts an hour, and at current UK electricity prices, which can be anything between 10p and 30p an hour. Also, because they typically lack inverter technology or precise thermostats, they might end up running longer and harder than is necessary, making them more expensive over time."

If you have decided a fixed air conditioning unit isn't right for you, be sure to look into how much a portable air conditioner costs to run before making your final choice.

The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to urgently convene a COBRA meeting amid the intensifying heatwave gripping the UK.

With temperatures soaring for the second time this month, there are growing concerns about public health, infrastructure strain, the NHS’s, and how to keep UK houses cool.

Homeowners are advised to take immediate precautions as experts warn extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent.

Coordinated national response critical

Sarah Olney MP, the Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson, stressed the need for urgent government action to avoid being “caught flat-footed” by rising temperatures.

The call for a COBRA meeting underscores the severity of the situation, as government coordination is vital to protecting lives, maintaining essential services, and preventing the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.

Olney highlighted that this is not just a weather event, but a national emergency demanding proactive planning and resource allocation.

Risks and impacts for homeowners

The heatwave presents multiple challenges for homeowners across the UK. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with health conditions face significant risks from extreme heat.

Moreover, the intense temperatures can put a strain on home cooling systems, like air conditioning, increase the risk of heat-related damage to property and elevate fire hazards.

Rising energy consumption to cool down rooms also poses a financial burden and potential stress on national power grids.

Practical precautions to protect your home

Homeowners are urged to take practical steps, following advice from the Met Office and the NHS, to safeguard themselves and their properties during this period of extreme heat:

• Stay hydrated and limit exposure to direct sunlight during peak hours.
• Use blinds or curtains to reduce indoor temperatures.
• Ensure air conditioning units and fans are functioning properly, but avoid excessive energy use.
• Regularly check on vulnerable neighbours, especially the elderly or those with disabilities.
• Inspect your property for signs of heat damage and be alert to fire risks.

Staying informed through official sources like the Met Office and NHS websites is essential as the government responds to this escalating heatwave threat.

I've hired dehumidifiers during an unfortunate flooding incident, but hadn't really considered air conditioning hire until someone mentioned it to me the other day.

Sitting at home in a hot living room, working through yet another heatwave, I decided to explore what was available to see if it's a trick I've missed. I don't have a huge amount of space to store items when not in use, so hiring an air conditioning unit on a short term basis sounded like an easy solution.

And, even thought it might not get to me in time for this current blast of sunshine, I wanted to look to see if it really is possible or if a more realistic option is to buy instead.

How easy is it to hire an air conditioning unit for residential use?

Air conditioning hire for residential homes is an easy option as I quickly discovered. HSS.com hire for example currently have an offer in place for a Compact 3.5kW Air Conditioner for just £42 for 7 days. Delivery today to my location would cost an extra £24 or I could collect for free. The specification states it can cool 25m2, so it's perfect for use in one room. It comes on castors so is relatively easy to move around too.

Travis Perkins, perhaps more well known for its building materials, also has air conditioning units available for hire, but not for immediate delivery or collection. One air conditioning unit shows as being collectable from my local branch, with the price for one week's hire estimated to be £119.29.

Out of interest, I also searched for the same fan, the Rhino AC12000 Portable Air Conditioning Unit 230V on Amazon, and you can buy it new for £484.11. If I'm honest, I'm already beginning to question the maths.

Located in London or the South East? There are even more companies available to you – perhaps no surprise given the amount of terraced properties that were never built with heatwaves in mind.

Air conditioning hiring vs buying

I'm not one to splash out on anything unless it's considered an essential, and whilst I've always considered air con to be a luxury, hotter summers and climate change are certainly beginning to alter my views on the matter. Particularly given I live in a listed apartment which wasn't built with an increase in, or a lack of heat in mind.

Add to that two sons who feel the heat, a small dog who is currently not impressed with the rise in temperature and a constant fight for who gets the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator to use, and I'm beginning to wonder if I need more than a fan to keep the rooms cool.

But, with the speed of getting hold of a unit a priority, what are the best portable air con units I can I get on a quick delivery?

Without an Amazon Prime account, and even with one, a few portable air conditioning units from Amazon are showing as available in on next day, or within 2 - 3 days. Not bad given the heatwave seems to peak and trough fairly regularly.

Appliances Direct have a good range of portable air conditioners with next day delivery shown as an option, while John Lewis also have a few air conditioners available – although the rest are out of stock.

B&Q are showing a good range of portable air conditioning units in stock, with a few on next day delivery, while Argos also have a good selection of AC units, but you'll need to enter your postcode to see if they have any available for delivery or click and collect in your area.

Do the sums add up?

Of course, buying one or not will also comes down to crunching the numbers. One thing you will need to take into account is that as well as cooling you down, many air conditioning units also offer a number of different functions.

The Meaco 9K MC9000CHBTU 3 in 1 Air Conditioner from Argos for example, also acts as an air con unit, a heating fan and a dehumidifier. So while it may be a more costly initial outlay given it retails at around £400, when you break down what it would cost to purchase these items individually it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out which is better value.

Plus, you won't have three appliances that you need to find space for in your loft storage.

And, even if you get a deal on hiring an air con unit, hiring one for four weeks out of the summer each year is likely to set you back around £200 minimum. Two years and you've paid the equivalent of a new portable air conditioning unit that will likely come with a warrantee and have had no previous users.

Of course, if you're really committed to the idea of air conditioning, don't forget to add into the equation how much does it cost to run a portable air conditioning unit.

Portable air conditioning units I'm considering

Want to understand more about the tech before you commit to a purchase? Find out exactly how does a portable air conditioning unit work, and make sure you buy the right item by learning about the difference between an air conditioner vs air cooler.

If you’ve taken the plunge and invested in air conditioning, you’re not alone. As UK summers continue to heat up, so too does the conversation around the best ways to keep cool at home. And whether you’ve opted for a built-in system or a portable version, one question remains top of mind: what temperature should my air conditioner be on?

Set the temperature too low and you're wasting energy (and money). Too high, and what’s the point? Striking the right balance can help you stay comfortable during a heatwave while keeping running costs down.

To help you make the most of your AC this summer, we asked the HVAC experts to weigh in. From daytime settings to overnight tweaks, here’s how to find the perfect sweet spot between comfort and cost.

What temperature should my air conditioner be on?

Rather than blasting your air conditioning at full power the moment the temperature climbs into the twenties, experts recommend finding a setting that keeps you cool without driving up your energy bills.

"For most people, that’s somewhere between 20°C and 22°C,” explains Nicholas Auckland, home energy expert at Trade Radiators. “This is because for every degree you increase the temperature on your air conditioner, you can save between 3-5% on your cooling costs. So, while 20°C might feel nice and cool, setting it to 22°C instead could significantly reduce your electricity bill without it feeling uncomfortable."

Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at AO.com, offers similar advice: “Aim to set it around 22–24°C – much lower and your home will probably be a bit too chilly, any hotter and you’ll likely feel sticky, particularly during those muggy nights,” she says.

So, while there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, both experts agree: start cool, not cold, and aim for consistency over extremes.

The verdict: Between 21°C and 23°C is a good target for daytime comfort. This is cool enough to feel the benefit, without wasting energy.

What temperature should your air conditioner be on when you're not at home?

Leaving the air con running while you’re not at home might sound wasteful but depending on how long you’re out, it could be a smart move.

“If you're just popping out for a few hours, set the temperature to around 25°C rather than turning it off completely,” advises Nicholas Auckland. “This stops the room from heating up too much while you're away, so your unit won’t have to work as hard to cool your home again when you return.”

That said, if you’re out all day or longer, switching your unit off entirely is the more energy-efficient choice. Your air conditioner doesn’t need to maintain a temperature for an empty house, and you can cool the space again once you're back home. If you're using one of the best portable air conditioners, it’s also worth understanding how much it costs to run a portable air conditioner, as the running costs can vary more than you might think.

The verdict: Set your AC to around 25°C if you're out for a short time, but switch it off completely if you’ll be away all day.

What temperature should your air conditioner be on at night?

Keeping cool overnight can make all the difference to how well you sleep, but that doesn’t mean you need to leave your air conditioner working overtime.

“While 18°C is often recommended for sleep, our bodies naturally cool down at night,” explains Nicholas Auckland. “Because of this, you’ll likely find that the temperature you had on during the day feels much too cold at 3am. For this reason, I would think about using the sleep mode if your unit has one, which often gradually increases the temperature throughout the night.

"Alternatively, you could also just set the thermostat to a degree or two higher than your daytime setting so that you’re prevented from waking up cold, saving energy overnight too."

The verdict: While 18°C can be a good benchmark, you might find 20–22°C more comfortable if you tend to feel the chill.

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FAQs

When should I use 'dry mode' on my air conditioning unit?

Dry mode is ideal for muggy days when the air feels heavy but the temperature isn’t high enough to justify full-on cooling.

“If your air conditioner has a 'Dry' or 'Dehumidify' setting, it’s worth using on days that are humid but not especially hot,” explains Nicholas Auckland. “It removes excess moisture from the air, which can make the space feel more comfortable even if the thermostat is set higher, but uses less energy than a full cooling cycle.”

Should I leave my air conditioning on all day?

Only if it really needs to be. Air conditioning works best when it’s used to maintain a comfortable temperature, rather than cooling from scratch every time.

If you’re home all day, keep it running steadily at your ideal setting rather than constantly adjusting it. If you’re popping out briefly, raising the temperature instead of turning it off can help your home stay cool, without wasting energy. But if you’re out for hours or all day, it’s best to switch it off entirely and restart it when you return.

Want to take the edge off the heat without relying solely on your AC? Try these natural ways to cool your home, or give this clever DIY air conditioning hack a go.

Sometimes fortune is on our side, and having the opportunity to review the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator when the temperature dial is reaching an all time peak is without doubt, perfect timing.

While I tell myself every year I'll invest in one of the best air cooling fans, I've not kept to my word. The consequence of not taking action? I've left buying one until the last minute every time it gets hot and then end up panic buying a cheap, plastic version that barely lasts the summer.

Needless to say my opinions on pedestal fans have been less than favourable. But, having experienced the soft, cooling quiet joy of this fan, I'm more than happy to fully accept you get what you pay for – and in the case of the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator the premium price is returned to you ten fold.

First impressions and set up

Although tower fans such as the Dyson Tower Cool Fan have changed the design dynamic in terms of how air cooling fans look, it feels like pedestal fans have lagged behind in the style stakes. Thankfully that's now changing, with the likes of Meaco and Shark developing more aesthetically friendly products. And while some older styles can still feel cumbersome with their large diameter and pronged feet, new designs are far more contemporary and streamlined in feel.

I knew the MeacoFan Sefte range was different to the older-style fans, but wasn't expecting quite how much I'd like its appearance when it arrived. Yes it's still a product with a functional aim, but the moulded white design, with LED display and remote control bring it well and truly up to date.

The packaging for the fan was neat and simple, and includes a visual explanation of how the name Sefte comes from an Old English word meaning 'quiet, gentle and undisturbed.' A nice touch, that rings true once you start using the fan.

Neatly contained inside more packaging inside the main box, the fan was easy to remove, although I'll confess to spending a few minutes being convinced it was missing the columns that are required to change the height of the fan. If you do buy one, don't panic like I did, they are in there, just on the rear of the packaging that contains the fan head and base.

Fixing the base, columns and head unit together is simple. You align the gold metal guide pin with the gold hole and insert to bring the items together. Tighten the security collars to secure the parts in place, plug in and you're ready to be cooled. It's that simple. Remove the security tab from the remote control and you can then use the fan by either pressing the interface on the fan, or the remote.

An instruction booklet is included that's comprehensive but clear and not too wordy, meaning it's easy to get the fan up and running. Once I'd found the columns it was set up in a matter of minutes.

Another plus point? It comes with a black storage bag meaning once summer's over, you can neatly pack it away and find a place for it in your loft storage.

MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator Specifications

The specifications of the fan are pretty impressive and the product also comes with a free three-year warranty.

Its main features are:

• Whisper quiet airflow from 25dB
• 3 angles of vertical and horizontal oscillation
• Adjustable pedestal – can be used at three different heights
• Remote control
• Night function
• Timer
• Eco option (auto adjusts fan speed to room temp)
• Maximum air flow 18.33m3/minute
• Net weight 5.4kg

How and where I've used the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator

First up for the fan treatment was my open-plan kitchen, dining and living room. It's not a large space, and shutters on the sash windows mean I've already got some tools in place to keep a room cool without air con. But, it still gets hot when the temperatures higher and we're all sat in once space.

Finding somewhere to put it wasn't an issue because of its size or appearance, more because of the location of plug sockets and the amount of furniture I have in one room. Floorspace is limited, so for the purposes of testing, I've simply located it where the air flow can move around the room, and I can benefit from it during the day as I work from home.

As is the case when you start using any new piece of tech, it's compulsory to run through all the available functions, so I put the fan to the test.

From minimum to maximum speed, no oscillation to full vertical and horizontal oscillation (which I found pretty impressive), eco setting which auto adjusts the fan to suit the room temperature, timer mode and display lights on or off I've tried them all.

Any issues? No. As the headline said, I'm 'fan-girling' this fan for good reason. It's quiet, has kept me cool, has enough tech to make me feel it's a great gadget, is easy to use and offers plenty of flexibility. It's not disturbed my work, I've had phone and video calls with no problems and it's certainly not disrupted my son's TV watching in the evening.

And yes, in case you're wondering, we have all pretended we're in a Beyonce video with a wind machine when it's on full blast!

But can it deal with hot and sweaty nights?

And so we come to bedtime, and the second, and perhaps most 'testing' location for the fan. My bedroom is on the third floor of a listed building located on the main high street of the town in which I live. It has single-glazed sash windows, and while it's not a busy town, opening the windows at night means I risk being disturbed by some traffic, or late night revellers leaving some nearby pubs.

Add to this the fact I'm a fairly light sleeper, and it means I'm asking for as little noise as possible from any piece of kit I bring into my bedroom. To date, I've achieved success with Meaco products, having tested the MeacoDry ABC 12L Dehumidifier during winter to help deal with window condensation, so I was hopeful that I wouldn't be adding the noise of the fan to the reasons why I couldn't sleep.

The fan is light to carry, even when fully assembled, so I was able to move it upstairs easily. I used the night mode as it removes the LED light display, the beep sound from pressing buttons, and then reduces the fan speed every half hour until it reaches the lowest speed.

The result? I slept soundly and woke fresh as a daisy. No disturbances, just the odd recollection of stirring in the night and feeling a lovely breeze wash over the bed.

To be perfectly honest, even if it got hotter at night, it's that quiet even when on eco mode that I'd be comfortable using it on this setting too. Lights don't disturb me, but if you do prefer a pitch black room, you should be aware the remote control glows in the dark, so you may choose to leave that in a drawer if you are using the fan in a bedroom.

My final verdict will come as no surprise

It will clearly be no surprise to you that my final verdict and suggestion for the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator is to buy one. I'll certainly be keeping an eye out in case it pops up in the Amazon Prime Day Sale as my sons are hankering after one for their bedrooms too.

Yes, the price-tag of around £175 with the storage bag is more than you'll pay for some pedestal fans, but if you don't want to, or can't invest in installing air conditioning, climate changes means we're likely to need a way of cooling our homes one way or another. So, if you're going to buy a fan, it's worth investing in one that looks good and performs well.

If I had two minor complaints, it would be firstly that the face of the fan is black, whereas the rest of the unit is white. My personal preference would be an all-white finish, but it's a minor detail that's based on opinion rather than performance based.

Second, having to take it apart to adjust the height isn't as easy as having an adjustable mechanism. So, while it's a simple procedure, it's just not quite as quick as it could be.

Worried about the daily running costs? Don't be. So far, according to my smart meter, it's costing just 1p per hour to run. Even if it's on for 24 hours a day, that's only 24 pence a day for a few weeks, or at the most, a couple of months a year when I'll be adding that amount to my electricity bill. Worth it? For a cooler living environment and improved home ventilation, absolutely.

Dean Franklin, the winner of The Apprentice and Lord Sugar’s latest business partner, has set his sights on transforming the UK’s domestic air conditioning market – an area he says is misunderstood.

In an exclusive interview with Homebuilding & Renovating, Franklin argued that most UK homeowners still see air conditioning as expensive, energy-guzzling and only useful for cooling – a perception he’s determined to shift.

He also urges the government to extend grants to air conditioning systems like those for heat pumps, saying, “If they’re giving out the grant for heat pumps, why not air conditioners?”

This support, he argues, could make air conditioning more affordable and widespread across the country.

Dean calls for government grants to support AC uptake

With fewer than 5% of UK homes currently fitted with air conditioning, Franklin sees huge potential to fill this gap and he believes the lack of awareness and government support is holding the air conditioning sector back in the UK.

Franklin criticised government policies for only subsidising heat pumps, only some of which include air conditioners, through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The government did recently expand the scheme to include air-to-air systems, which include air conditioners, but he believes this should cover all air conditioners to help with installation costs.

“If they’re giving grants for one type of heat pump and heating and cooling system, why not the other?” he said.

He aims to build his company, ADL Air Conditioning, into a household brand in the space, with the backing of Lord Sugar. “He sees the potential – it’s like when he moved into electrical appliances. This is no different,” said Franklin.

Dean's key tips for those looking to install AC

For those considering installing air conditioning, Franklin had a word of caution: “If you pay cheap, you pay twice.”

He warned against budget systems and encouraged homeowners to research both brands and installers. “There are cheap systems, and there are expensive ones for a reason.”

However, unlike with other heating systems that are not suited to some homes Dean says “it's very rare that we come up against a job which we can't do" and are suited to most homes.

Franklin’s drive follows a tough journey on The Apprentice, which he called “the hardest process ever”. Despite the televised drama, it’s clear his focus now lies firmly on real-world homes –and helping them breathe a little easier.

Dean and Lord Sugar's goals for the UK AC market

Dean Franklin believes there’s a clear gap in the UK domestic market for air conditioning – and he’s confident that now is the time to close it.

“At the moment, I think there's a massive gap in the market for air conditioning in domestic houses. I don't think there's a household name that someone recognises,” he said.

Lord Sugar agrees, according to Franklin. “I think he invested in the market because he knows the potential of it,” he said, adding: “It's still at very early stages in the UK domestic market... He’s done electrical appliances before. It’s no different to what he knows.”

Franklin hinted at long-term ambitions, saying: “We've got a few sort of plans in the pipeline. And yeah, we’ve got bigger goals to hit.”

When the summer heat ramps up and your trusty oscillating fan starts to feel more like a hairdryer, it’s natural to wonder: is it time to invest in something stronger?

Two of the most common options for keeping your home cool are air conditioners and air coolers. They may sound similar, but they work in very different ways.

One uses refrigeration technology to chill the air and reduce humidity, while the other relies on evaporative cooling to deliver a light, refreshing breeze.

The right choice depends on a few key factors – including the size of your space and the climate you live in. In this guide, we compare the two main types of home cooling appliances, explore their pros and cons, and help you decide which is best suited to your space.

Air conditioner vs air cooler: Which one should you buy?

Both air conditioners and air coolers are designed to bring down the temperature indoors, but they do so in very different ways.

"An air conditioner uses a refrigerant cycle to cool the air, working similarly to how a fridge works," explains Nicholas Auckland, energy expert at Trade Radiators. "They draw warm air from the room, pass it over a cold evaporator coil that contains refrigerant, and this is what absorbs the heat. The cooled air is then circulated back into the room making the room cold. The heat that's extracted from the air is expelled outside through a vent hose (in portable units) or an outdoor condenser unit (in split systems)."

"An air cooler, by contrast, cools the air through the evaporation of water, rather than refrigerant. They draw in the warm, dry air, pass it over some water soaked pads, and as the water evaporates, it absorbs heat from the air therefore lowering its temperature. The cooled, humidified air is then blown back into the room."

When to choose an air conditioner

“Air conditioners are ideal for large rooms or humid environments,” says Justin Nielsen, home improvement expert at Wolf River Electric. “They provide precise temperature control and can significantly reduce humidity, which makes them much more effective than air coolers in UK conditions.”

Modern air conditioning systems have evolved considerably in recent years and are often multifunctional, providing both heating and cooling from a single unit. Dean Franklin, co-founder of ADL Air Conditioning, explains: “Air conditioners don’t just cool anymore. They transfer energy from the outside air, so they can heat your home in winter and cool it in summer – all in an energy-efficient way. You also get the added benefit of cleaner air, as many models filter out allergens, dust and pollen.”

While fixed AC installation does require a professional, that upfront investment pays off in long-term comfort and energy savings. Just make sure your home is well insulated so the system can perform at its best – especially in older properties.

The pros of air conditioners

• Powerful cooling performance, even in humid conditions.
• Year-round use with integrated heating functions.
• Helps reduce indoor humidity and can improve indoor air quality.
• Zoned temperature control available with multi-split systems.
• Ideal for large or frequently used rooms.

The cons of air conditioning

• Higher upfront costs compared to air coolers.
• Requires professional installation for fixed units.
• May not work well in poorly-insulated homes.

The verdict: If you’re looking for reliable, consistent cooling or want a long-term solution that can both heat and cool your home, an air conditioner is a worthwhile investment.

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When to choose an air cooler

Air coolers – also known as evaporative coolers – offer a simple, low-energy way to stay cool. However, it’s important to understand where they work best – and where they fall short.

“An air cooler reduces the room temperature by adding moisture to the air and increasing the relative humidity of the space,” explains Chris Michael, Chair of Meaco. “As Britain is a wet island with high relative humidity levels in the summer, an air cooler has proven to be of limited use in the UK and is better suited to much drier climates in the world.”

In other words, while air coolers are popular in arid regions where added humidity is welcome, they’re far less effective in humid environments like the UK. In fact, adding more moisture to already damp air can make a space feel even less comfortable.

There are some exceptions. Chris Michael notes that air coolers may have a role in large, open-plan areas where doors and windows are left open, such as department stores, marquees or warehouse-style spaces – but they’re rarely suited to domestic spaces.

The pros of air coolers

• More affordable to buy and run than air conditioners.
• No installation required – simply plug in and go.
• Adds moisture to dry indoor air if needed.

The cons of air coolers

• Not as effective in the UK climate.
• Can increase humidity in already damp rooms.
• Requires regular refilling and cleaning.

The verdict: Air coolers are a budget-friendly, low-energy option that work best in hot, dry environments or open, airy spaces. But because they add moisture to the air, they’re less effective in humid conditions – which are common in the UK.

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FAQs

Do air coolers work in closed rooms?

Not really. Air coolers work by adding moisture to the air, so they’re most effective in open or well-ventilated spaces where fresh air can circulate. Use one in a sealed room and you’ll likely end up with rising humidity and a space that feels stuffy rather than cool.

Can air conditioning help with allergies?

According to Dean Franklin, "Some air conditioners can give you relief from your allergies because they can capture the allergens in the heat pump filter and improve the quality of air that you are breathing. Not only do air conditioners keep you at the ideal temperature, but they also remove pollutants, pollen and particles from your breathing space."

Is air conditioning suitable for older homes?

Yes, you can install air conditioning in an older property, though it’s worth checking a few basics first. For any air-to-air heat pump system to work efficiently, your home needs to hold on to the conditioned air, which means good insulation is essential. If you’re unsure about your property's suitability, a qualified HVAC installer can assess your home and recommend any upgrades that might be needed.

"Portable air conditioning is an excellent way of trying out home cooling before thinking about investing in a fixed system, and far cheaper," says Chris Michael, Chair of Meaco. "It's always best to chat through your application with the application advisors first; they will be able to guide you. But the best piece of advice for either type, is always to buy as large a machine as you can; you will never regret the extra capacity!"

With the cost of installing traditional air conditioning units climbing above £3,000 – and energy bills rising – millions of Brits are seeking affordable and eco-friendly ways to stay cool. Now, experts say the answer may already be sitting on your windowsill.

Craig Morley, gardening expert at Budget Seeds, says some of the most effective natural cooling systems don’t need electricity at all. “Houseplants can do more than brighten up a room – they can help regulate indoor temperatures too,” he explains.

Working with Barratt London, Morley is backing a growing campaign to promote “transpirational cooling”: the natural process by which plants release moisture and cool the air around them.

Does using plants to cool homes actually work?

The concept is actually backed by NASA research suggesting that it is actually real science and does work. As water moves from the roots of a plant up to its leaves, it evaporates into the air in a process known as transpiration.

This doesn’t just keep the plant cool – it also cools down your room, especially when multiple plants are grouped together.

“In a small room, several high-transpiration plants can have a noticeable effect,” Morley says, whilst offering this energy-saving tip. “It’s like building your own miniature rainforest – and it’s free once the plants are in place.”

How to maximise your plant’s cooling power

To get the most cooling benefit from your houseplants this summer, proper care is key. “A healthy plant is nature’s air conditioner,” says Craig Morley, gardening expert at Budget Seeds.

Transpiration – the process where plants release water through their leaves – can naturally cool the air, but it only works if the plant is well-watered and thriving. “If a plant is dry or stressed, it will conserve water and transpire less,” Morley explains.

Boosting humidity can also enhance this cooling effect. Grouping plants together or placing them near trays of water helps create a more humid microclimate that supports transpiration.

“Even something as simple as upsizing the pot gives the roots more room, reducing stress and encouraging better water flow,” he adds. And while pruning is helpful at times, Morley recommends avoiding it in summer to maintain maximum leaf surface and transpiration potential.

Best 'natural air conditioning' plants for the home

Not all plants cool equally. The most effective species have large leaves and high transpiration rates, with a few also pulling double duty as air purifiers.

Here are seven of Morley’s top picks for plant-powered cooling:

• Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) – Tough and ideal for beginners.
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) – Stylish, with big leaves for strong transpiration.
• Aloe Vera – Great in sunny spots, with bonus healing properties.
• Bamboo Palm – A tropical option that thrives in shade.
• Boston Fern – Excellent in humid bathrooms or kitchens.
• Golden Pothos – Hardy, low-maintenance, and great for air quality.
• Spider Plant – Easy to grow and thrives in moisture-rich areas.

A natural fix for urban overheating?

As climate change brings hotter summers, especially in urban areas where concrete traps heat, houseplants could offer a sustainable way to reduce indoor temperatures without increasing electricity use.

“Using plants as natural cooling systems isn’t just a quirky gardening trend - it’s an accessible, climate-smart response to rising bills and rising heat,” says Morley.

And with millions already turning to energy-saving hacks, “green air con” might just become the next big summer survival trend.

You can discover more about making sustainable switches in every season through Craig Morley and Barratt London.

While I'm an advocate of using appliances such as dehumidifiers to help make the air inside my home fresher, I've not yet committed to investing in a state of the art air purifier. So, when the opportunity to review the Molekule Air Pro arose, I was keen to put it to the test.

Living in a first floor apartment on a busy high street in the middle of a town, had led me to assume the air inside my home is far from fresh. Dust, smoke and car fumes make their way inside – less so in the winter when windows are closed – but in the summer when the windows are open to help with ventilation, it's impossible for the air quality to not decline.

But, could a single air purifier make a difference to my home, are there actually any issues with the air in my home, and just how big is the problem? Would the Molekule Air Pro noticeably impact our health or is it just a background gadget or, dare I say it, even a gimmick?

I've been testing the Molekule Air Pro for around six weeks and here's what I've discovered.

Buy the Molekule Air Pro online today

How does the Molekule Air Pro work to improve air quality?

According to the manufacturer, "Molekule Air Pro purifiers use PECO technology and true HEPA 99.97% particle-capture efficiency rate to capture and destroy pollutants in large living and workplaces."

Essentially, through the presence of a physical filter cartridge – the HEPA filter – and the power of ultraviolet light – PECO – toxins are removed from the air leaving the air inside your home cleaner as a result. The HEPA filter is replaceable, and can be purchased from Amazon and other retailers, while the patented PECO technology is part of the machine.

The benefit of using an air purifier such as the Molekule Air Pro, or the Dyson air purifier, is it does all the work behind the scenes, with the only requirement from you being to change the filter when it tells you to. Sounds easy? But is it, and does it noticeably purify air?

Molekule Air Pro specification

The Molekule Air Pro specification can be split into two sections. The practical features and then the more technical ones that do the work behind the scenes.

Design and product features

• Size: 58.6 cm high, 27.8 cm wide
• Weight: 10.83kg
• Cord length: 180cm
• Power consumption: Lowest speed – 26 W/h, highest speed – 123 W/h
• Sound levels: Lowest speed – 33 dBa, highest speed – 64 dBa
• Fan speeds: 6 manual levels
• Control: Touch control and app
• Automated modes: Auto protect: standard and quiet
• Warranty: 2 years limited

Technical specification

• Room size coverage: Up to 1000 sq ft (92.9 m²) with avg. 8-ft. ceilings
• Detection: Particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) down to 0.3 µm, VOCs, CO2, relative humidity
• Filters: PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter
• FDA clearance (US relevance only): 510(k) Class II: Cleared for medical use to destroy bacteria, viruses & mould, and collect particles

First impressions

The Molekule Air Pro, which can be purchased on Amazon, is certainly the right product for you if you have a keen eye for home appliances with a modern design. It arrived well packaged with emotive text printed on the exterior of the box. Easy to follow instructions are revealed as you open it on a large piece of inner cardboard, or a smaller instruction booklet is also included if you prefer to read and digest information before setting it up.

A stylish cloth bag covers the air purifier which made it feel more like you were opening a luxury product rather than a small household appliance. Perhaps to be expected given the £799 price-tag, but a nice touch nonetheless.

There's no denying its sleek looks and minimalistic design once removed from the bag. Featuring a matt silver shell with a white base and vegan leather carrying handle, there's a fin like design to the flat top but other than that, it's pleasingly simple. It's quite large in size but as it looks good, it doesn't feel too obtrusive. As it's a relatively expensive high tech piece of kit, you'd expect it to look a certain way and it doesn't disappoint.

Setting up the air purifier

As mentioned, easy to follow instructions are printed on cardboard giving you clear advice on what you'll need to do to get your Molekule Air Pro working. It's not quite plug and play as you do need to install the filter before you turn it on, but don't be put off by this as it's a simple task.

Unwrap the filter, follow the instructions to push and turn the top of the filter so it releases, pop in the filter unit, close again and you're done.

Downloading the app that you use to control the air purifier is also easy. It's available on the App Store and Google Play and once you've installed it, clear onscreen instructions will guide you through the different steps of connecting your product to the app.

Once it's paired, it says it will take around six hours for the purifier to fully calibrate. Then, there are two main settings you can use, auto-protect and manual. Auto-protect has been my default as it removes the need to do anything other than turn it off if you don't want to leave it running while you're away from the home, or at night.

Using the Molekule Air Pro

In order to get a fuller picture of what it's like to use the Molekule Air Pro, I've tested it in three different locations around my home, although the same basic steps have all been followed when using it.

With the filter in place and the app set up, all you need to do is simply switch it on – either via the touch panel on the top of the unit or using the app. Having chosen the auto-protect setting the first time, it's automatically defaulted to this mode each time, although you can change it if you choose. Given the product's level of intelligence it seems unnecessary to have a manual mode, as after all, it's reading the air quality far more accurately than I can.

There's also a standard or quiet mode and I've of course chosen the quiet mode as it's being used in a space where I both live and work.

In the living room, I've used it for 24 hour stretches at a time, but also switched it off at bedtime and back on again in the morning.

My son has also used it in his bedroom for a period of time, adopting a similar method of use. As the weather hasn't been warm, which has meant I can't have the windows open in the living room for long as it's too cold (other than performing daily house burping), I've popped it in a bedroom which overlooks the main street and left a window open to see how the outdoor air affects the readings and performance.

Checking the air quality

There are a number of ways in which you can use the Molekule Air Pro to check the air quality. Audible sound is the first notification you will get that your air quality has declined. In auto-protect mode, the fan speed will increase when the air purifier needs to work harder to clean the air – another reason why leaving it in auto-protect mode makes sense, as in theory it can help you identify what toxins are causing the problem.

If you are close to the unit, you can also use the touch panel on the top of the purifier to check what the air quality is, and as well as showing you it as a percentage, the display also changes colour with different colours signifying different levels. Green is good, orange moderate, red bad and purple very bad.

Scroll across to the next screen on the panel and it will show you the main offenders and causes of pollutants in the air – even when the air quality is good. These may be VOCs, carbon dioxide or particles of varying size.

If however you want a more detailed breakdown of what's going on, the app is your main port of call. As well as showing you the air quality score and a breakdown of each different potential pollutant, you can look at daily or weekly graphs which show how many hours were spent at different quality levels, what the pollutants were during this time and also check the relative humidity in the room which can be handy during winter if you struggle with mould and condensation.

You can also dive deeper into each pollutant by tapping that section on the app screen and it will display what could be the cause. For example, where VOCs could be found in your home, or if you have an abundance of fine particles, what could be causing this. It doesn't tell you specifically what is causing yours, but at least gives you an indication of where the problem may be.

Other than wiping it down when cleaning, there are no other steps involved in using the Molekule Air Pro until you need to change the filter – and the app and product will tell you when this needs to happen. It's estimated this will be around every 6 months.

Results

For me personally, measuring the success of the Molekule Air Pro is perhaps less about the scientific results and more about how it's made me think and how we have all felt.

One of the most positive results for me has been how it's made us have a far greater awareness of the toxins produced as a result of what I'd consider a fairly standard lifestyle. I can tell you for sure that cleaning products will make the air purifier leap into action, as will frying meat of any kind.

Cook a steak, air purifier kicks in, cook bacon, the same. Burn toast, it's working hard. Light a scented candle and you may change your mind about how long you leave it on for when you hear the air purifier fans start to work that little bit harder. All small daily habits, most of which will have to carry on, but it's certainly been interesting to think about how poor the air quality would be without the Molekule Air Pro on.

Surprisingly, when placed next to an open window and street fumes, the air quality in the room hasn't deteriorated anywhere near as much as I expected. In fact made very little impact to the air quality as a whole. Some concerns have been the high readings in my son's room at night which show VOCs to be the biggest culprit, and we're still not entirely sure why, so will need to investigate this further.

A good sign of its ability to detect toxins is also shown in the way how when it's in my bedroom, but I clean the kitchen which is located in the room below, the air purifier has quickly identified the toxins and increased how hard it works to remove them.

I live in a listed building, and only have a recirculation extractor fan in the kitchen so smells often permeate into the bedroom – but I hadn't realised quite how much.

And, although I can't prove this, my younger son who last year coughed consistently for four months and has had numerous bouts of upper respiratory issues since, is so far clear of any problems since we started using it. It may be coincidence but it certainly makes we wonder if it has contributed towards this.

If you are prepared to sit down and analyse graphs, you can of course get more scientific data to demonstrate results, but unless you make lifestyle changes, it's likely your air quality will still fluctuate on a daily basis. But, having an air purifier will definitely help deal with those fluctuations.

Final verdict

Prior to using the Molekule Air Pro I've always been very aware of air pollutants and what causes them. Having lived in city and rural locations I'm well aware of how cleaner air does make a difference outdoors, but I'll admit to not having paid as much attention to it indoors.

Yes I'll choose low VOC paints over normal ones, but I've always used fairly strong smelling cleaning products and admit to buying more than my fair share of scented candles. After my son's respiratory issues last year, I did stop buying plug in air-fresheners, but with a house comprising two sons and now a small dog, you can't help but be conscious of the resulting odours and trying to mask them is my natural default mode.

However, since testing the air purifier I'm realising it's more about removing them efficiently instead, as there's no doubt smells have dissipated faster since using it. Plus, having seen the levels rise through daily activities that I can't stop (cleaning and cooking being the main ones), it's made me understand how many toxins we breathe in without even realising it.

On the downside, should you be considering it for a bedroom, I'd only recommend it if you don't require a pitch black bedroom. My son does and he's found it hard to sleep with it on. The blue UV light is an essential part of the air purifier and so it glows at night when left on. You could turn the unit off, but as the reading from my son's room has shown, there could be toxins lurking in the air even when you don't realise it. Has it impacted my daily electricity costs leaving it on for long stretches? Not at all according to my smart meter.

Another minor negative is that I'm also not sure the app is as user friendly as it could be. While I've found out what I need to know, it's mainly been through trial and error rather than obvious signposting on the app. If you were a little apprehensive about using apps, I can imagine you'd not get the information you needed and could find it a little frustrating.

There's no doubt the product is cleaning the air in my home and it has made me far more self-aware of how I can improve the air we breathe. I've also no complaints about how the product looks, so would I recommend the Molekule Air Pro?

Yes would be my answer. It's performed as it said it would and I think it's done a great job in educating me about air quality. If you live in a built up area you have little protection against outdoor pollutants and given how many indoor ones we clearly generate as well, it would be a wise investment for anyone wanting to protect themselves and their family.

It's not a cheap investment, but can you ever put a price on improving your health? Removing any toxins will undoubtedly have a positive impact and while there are cheaper models out there, the Molekule Air Pro, which can be purchased on Amazon feels solid, capable and clever and will work hard for you and expect little in return, just a clean filter every six months.

Wall-mounted dehumidifiers might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about managing humidity, but they offer a unique approach to keeping your home comfortable.

Designed to free up floor space while tackling dampness and moisture, they’re an intriguing option for spaces like utility rooms, studios, and even holiday homes.

This article will break down everything you need to know about wall-mounted dehumidifiers, their advantages, disadvantages, costs and how they compare to the best dehumidifiers on the market.

How do wall-mounted dehumidifiers work?

A wall-mounted dehumidifier operates in much the same way as a standard dehumidifier. It draws in moist air, cools it to condense the water vapour into liquid, and then releases dry air back into the room.

What sets wall-mounted models apart is their ability to be securely affixed to a wall. This is often paired with a gravity-fed drainage system, which allows the collected water to flow out through a hose, eliminating the need to manually empty the water tank and requiring less maintenance.

According to Chris Michael, managing director of Meaco: "A wall-mounted domestic dehumidifier is basically a normal dehumidifier with the ability to be wall-mounted. It’s particularly useful in spaces like rented accommodations, garages, workshops, and laundry rooms where floor space is limited or continuous drainage is needed."

Pros and cons of wall-mounted dehumidifiers

Wall-mounted dehumidifiers are ideal for saving floor space and enabling continuous drainage, making them perfect for small homes, holiday properties, or utility rooms.

However, these models have limitations. They are less common, more expensive, and require careful installation.

James Longley, Managing Director at Utility Bidder, explains: "The number of units with wall mounting brackets is limited, and uneven mounting can lead to water leaks or increased vibration." While fixed in one spot, they excel in areas where portability isn’t a priority.

How much should a wall-mounted dehumidifier cost?

Wall-mounted dehumidifiers generally cost more than their freestanding counterparts due to their specialised design.

Prices can range from £150 to £400 or more, depending on the brand, capacity, and additional features.

Some models, like those from Meaco, include vibration dampers in their mounting brackets to prevent noise and reverb through walls, which can add to the cost but significantly improve the user experience.

Shop for freestanding dehumidifiers

How do they compare to regular dehumidifiers?

Freestanding dehumidifiers offer portability, allowing you to move them from room to room. Wall-mounted units, on the other hand, are fixed, making them more suited for specific-use cases.

Wall-mounted dehumidifiers are a clear winner in tight spaces. As Chris Michael explains: "For the majority of households, a freestanding dehumidifier makes more sense. But in areas like utility rooms, garages, or rented accommodations, wall-mounted units excel."

With a continuous drainage setup, wall-mounted models require less regular attention compared to freestanding models with tanks that need frequent emptying.

While the upfront cost of wall-mounted models can be higher, the convenience of continuous drainage may save time and effort in the long run.

Should you buy a wall-mounted dehumidifier?

The decision to invest in a wall-mounted dehumidifier depends on your specific needs:

• Space constraints: If you’re dealing with limited floor space in areas like laundry rooms, small homes, or caravans, a wall-mounted model could be a perfect solution.
• Continuous use: If you need a dehumidifier to run continuously without manual intervention, such as in rented properties or holiday homes, wall-mounted units with a drainage system are highly practical.
• Budget: If cost is a concern, weigh the benefits of the wall-mounted design against more affordable, freestanding options.

As Chris Michael emphasises: "Mounting your dehumidifier to the wall is ideal for those who don’t want to – or can’t – regularly empty a water tank."

Wall-mounted dehumidifiers are a niche, but highly effective solution for specific scenarios. While they might not replace the flexibility of traditional freestanding models for most households, they are an excellent choice for spaces where saving floor space and hassle-free operation are priorities.

However, if you're wondering if a wall mounted dehumidifier could be a solution for your bathroom, then think again. Follow this advice regarding using dehumidifiers in bathrooms and instead make sure you've covered all of your other bathroom ventilation options instead.

Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems are designed to both improve the air quality within your home, and provide fresh warm, heated air.

But, unlike more simple ventilation products such as extractor fans or air bricks, MVHR systems are made up of a number of different components. The fan unit is the main heart of the system as it has the heat exchanger and two fans, one to draw air from the home and one to supply air to the home.

Add to this the ducting systems, condensate waste outlets and room terminals and MVHR installation is more complex than it might first appear.

How do I know? I install energy efficient home solutions for a living and added my own MVHR a few years ago. So, if you're considering it for your own home, here's what's involved in MVHR installation.

Who designs the MVHR installation?

In most projects, especially a new build home, if you're including an MVHR system, you should receive drawings of the proposed ductwork design from your MVHR suppliers.

Many MVHR fan unit manufacturers and merchants will supply these as part of the supply service. And, if you're undertaking a self-build project, the drawing will need to be modelled into the architectural and building regulation drawings at an early stage in order to take into account any structural details such as joists, steels and fire compartment walls.

In order to comply with Building Regulations Part F, it's essential to get the design right, as flow rates will also need to be calculated and the correct duct sizes specified to make sure that the system meets the requirements.

In an existing home it can be very difficult to get detailed drawings of where all the joists and services are, so these finer details may need to be finalised during the actual installation. The drawings simply give an indication of where the ducts need to go so that quantities can be estimated and air flow rates calculated.

MVHR components

Understanding the different parts needed for an MVHR installation

In order to move air around the whole home, one of the major parts of any MVHR installation requires a network of ducts being built into the structure of your home.

These ducts can either be a rigid branch design, or semi-rigid ducts, both of which will need to go back to the fan unit. The rigid branch design systems can be better suited to new build installations as the ducts are larger and do not flex.

One main ‘trunk’ will leave the fan unit to distribute air to the home, with smaller ‘branches’ teeing off the trunk to go to individual rooms. The extract system will be a similar setup, with air being drawn from wet rooms such as the kitchen and bathrooms and delivered back to the fan unit.

The main trunk could be around 150mm diameter and reduce in size to around 125mm diameter as the ducts move further into the home and need to move less air, with the smallest ducts being no less that 100mm diameter.

Because the main ducts can service more than one room it is also necessary to install silencers in the duct system to stop sounds such as television or music travelling from one room to another through the ducts.

The silencers can be near the terminals in habitable rooms such as bedrooms, but additional silencers may also be installed near the fan unit to prevent any noises from the fan unit traveling through the ducts to the rooms.

Rigid ducts vs semi rigid ducts

The rigid ducts are usually provided in lengths of 2m with around a 150mm diameter, although this can reduce down to 125mm or even 100mm at the room terminals. These rigid ducts need to be built into a complete network using joiners, elbows and T-pieces.

It's also worth noting that not all the rigid ducting is round. There are also rectangular shaped ducts that have a similar cross sectional area to the round ducts. The equivalent rectangular ducts compared to a 150mm round duct will have a 220mm x 90mm outer measurement, while the 125mm equivalent is sized at 204mm x 60mm.

Semi-rigid ducts are a bit more flexible, albeit not completely flexible, and can be better suited to more complex installations.

The semirigid ducts are usually around 76mm outer diameter and come in 50m coils that can be fed through the home, from the manifold to the room terminals.

The room terminals are then fitted to a short piece of rigid duct that is coupled to the semi-rigid ducts with a plenum elbow. They also provide a better noise attenuation as any sounds from a room would need to travel all the way back to the manifold and then all the way back down another duct to get to another room.

The manifold can also have acoustic damping built in which eliminates any potential for this type of sound transfer.

Why two ducting systems are required

To balance the home heating and ventilation, there are two ducting systems. One that extracts air from wetter rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens, and the other which delivers fresh air to the habitable rooms such as the bedrooms and lounge.

There are also two insulated rigid ducts that are connected from the fan unit to the atmosphere via holes in the roof or walls. These ducted outside terminals, which are essentially just louvred covers as you would expect on an extractor fan, should be at least 1m apart, are usually around 150mm diameter and will need a terminal fitting that fits into the duct diameter that is used on the outside of the property.

Be sure to make the contractor aware of any bespoke rendering or building materials that have been used on exterior finishes to avoid any issues with warranties.

Understanding what size fan you need

In smaller homes the fan unit could indeed be fitted in a kitchen cupboard but there would be a lot of ducting coming from the cupboard so it would be best if the cupboard extended right up to the ceiling.

For a larger home, the fan unit could be the size of a washing machine. This would ideally be installed in a purpose built plant room or possibly a large utility room.

The fan unit is also very often installed in the loft, but be aware you need to be able to access it to change any filters and also would need to insulate all ductwork and materials that were in a cold (unheated) space.

Additional services required for MVHR installation

In order to power the unit, an electrician will need to supply a switched, fused spur to the area where the fan unit will be installed, usually just below the fan unit and is the same size as a single wall plug, and the plumber will need to supply a condensate waste to the same area.

If the condensate waste is connected to a drain or soil pipe, then a dry trap must also be fitted. The dry trap is simply a short piece of pipe that prevents smells entering the home from the drain. Unlike a basin the MVHR unit will not produce condensation during summer so a standard basin U-bend trap is not acceptable as it would dry out, and smells could then be drawn into the home.

Any low lying ducts, especially if they are below the fan unit will also require additional condensate drains with a dry trap.

MVHR installation in a new build

The first part of the system to be installed is the ductwork from the fan unit to the rooms, and from the fan unit to the atmosphere. This is usually scheduled into the build programme when the roof is on, but none of the other services have been installed.

As a general rule of thumb the bigger services go in first. So, very generically, the drains are first as they need to be straight and have a constant drop, then the MVHR ductwork, then the plumbing pipes and finally the electrics.

Underfloor heating and MVHR can work well together, but can be installed at different times depending on which system is used. But, if the pipes are pinned to the underside of the floor deck, then that needs to go in before the drains.

The ducts are placed in the floor void, stud walls and roof space and are firmly held in place with metal straps to avoid any movement. The ducts are connected to elbow fittings that then protrude through the ceiling.

The ducts need to be left hanging a little bit lower than the finished ceiling height and this is often referred to as the first fix.

The physical installation of the ductwork is usually done by a small team of installers. A two or three person team should be able to first fix a three bedroom home in around three days.

The first fix of the ductwork is something a good DIY homeowner could do, but they would need to do a lot more research to know which tools to use and also what all the fittings do and how they go together. Any leaks or air gaps in the ductwork will severely affect the performance of the system.

Once the services, such as electrics, plumbing and waste systems are all done, the ceilings are installed with holes carefully cut out to allow for the ducts to fit neatly through them.

Once the ceilings and walls are constructed and mist coated, then the ducts can be trimmed back to be flush with the ceiling, the valves can be fitted, the fan unit hung on the wall and all the ductwork connected back to the fan unit.

Once the system has been fully mechanically installed it will then need to be properly balanced with calibrated anemometer equipment. The air flow rates in each room will need to recorded on a commissioning sheet which can be submitted to your Building Control officer in compliance with Building Regulations Part F.

MVHR installation in a renovation or remodel

Retrofitting a MVHR system is very difficult and time consuming, due to the amount of ductwork that needs to be hidden away in the fabric of the building.

You cannot drill big enough holes in the solid joists for the ductwork as the biggest holes allowed in joists is no more than 25% of the depth of the joist. It is also only permissible to add holes in the first 40% of a span (load bearing end to load bearing end) but not in the first 25% of the span.

To explain this further, let's assume you have a span across a room of 4m. The first 25% is 1m and the first 40% is 1.6m. Therefore, in the 4m span you cannot drill in the first meter, and you only have the area from 1m to 1.6m to drill in. The holes can also only be a maximum of 25% of the depth, so in a 200mm joist you can only drill a 50mm hole. Any additional hole must also be separated from the other hole by two diameters.

Therefore the 50mm holes must be separated from each other by at least 100mm of solid joist. In addition to this issue, finding discrete areas for the ducts to drop between floors can also be very challenging.

The main instances when it could be feasible are in a bungalow renovation where the retrofit MVHR would be very easy. Likewise, in a fully stripped back home that's undergoing a full house renovation, it may be less of a problem to find suitable routes.

The electrical work and commissioning srill need to be carried out by a qualified engineer, but if you are trying to save costs the ductwork can be installed by anyone who is confident enough to follow the drawings and make a good job of the joints.

As a member of the design team will have commissioned the system, the integrity of the work will be verified and the design liability will be signed off, however, MVHR installation is not a job to be undertaken without careful consideration. It is crucial that the ducts are properly sealed and that the routes are balanced in order for the system to perform well. Good design is essential and you will also need the system to be finally commissioned by a qualified ventilation installer with a calibrated anemometer.

You may be better opting for a full installation package from the supplier in renovation or remodel. It may cost more but you can at least be sure that they are experienced and the right fittings are being used.

FAQs

Is my build suitable for MVHR installation?

In any project where a MVHR is to be installed you need to be sure that the ducts can be installed in the home discretely and that they do not clash with any structural elements.

Proper preplanning and design is required, which means the ideal scenario for MVHR installation is in a brand new build with open web joists, steel support beams predrilled where it has been identified that ducts need to pass through them, and a purpose built, centrally located, plant room.

Interested in understanding how the benefits of MVHR translate into real life? Find out how installing MVHR completely stopped condensation in my home and start working on budgeting for your own system with our expert guide to how much an MVHR system costs. Make sure you also know what's involved in MVHR maintenance to keep your system in good working order for years to come.

Dehumidifiers are great for pulling moisture out of the air. They get rid of condensation, dust and pollen, but if you're not cleaning a dehumidifier regularly it will soon stop working efficiently. This can lead to unwanted wear and tear and higher running costs.

Even the best dehumidifiers need regular attention. For most dehumidifiers this will be making sure that the dust filter is kept free of dust and making sure water doesn’t sit in the tank. Here you’ll get expert direction on how to keep your dehumidifier clean and running smoothly.

Why cleaning a dehumidifier keeps costs down

You need to clean a dehumidifier regularly, explains Chris Michael, managing director at Meaco. “Regularly cleaning a dehumidifier is crucial for maintaining its efficiency and keeping energy costs down.”

He adds, “The air filter, also known as the dust filter, requires regular attention, as dust and dirt can accumulate, limiting airflow and forcing the unit to work harder.”

And this will lead to problems as Michael confirms, “This not only increases energy usage but can also lead to overheating or, over time, cause parts to wear out or fail.”

Try these dehumidifiers for your home

Prices correct at publication

How to clean a dehumidifier

Cleaning is very much part of dehumidifier maintenance. Here Chris Michael shares the steps to follow to keep a dehumidifier clean and working at its best. He recommends cleaning the filter every two weeks.

1. Unplug the unit

It's a simple start, but for your safety Michael says, “Ensure the dehumidifier is off and unplugged before cleaning.”

2. Clean the dust filter

Before you start you will need to remove the dust filter from the dehumidifier. Check the manufacturers manual for instructions. Once the filter is removed Michael says, “Carefully vacuum it.” He adds, “If the suction of the vacuum cleaner is too strong, you can also use a damp cloth and warm soapy water, to gently wipe the dirt away.” Note that, “The water should be no hotter than 40°C.”

3. Dry and replace

The purpose of cleaning the filter is to remove the accumulated dust. Once this has been done Michael says, “Simply dry the dehumidifier filter with a tea towel before placing it back in the dehumidifier.” If you follow these instructions Michael points out, “The air filter (if you have one) should not need replacing, except for reasons of wear and tear.”

4. Check and clean water tank

Alondside keeping the dust filter clean the tank should get a wash, but not as often as Michael shares, "The tank should be emptied regularly and cleaned once or twice a year with warm, soapy water to prevent mould and bacterial growth. Rinse it thoroughly and let it dry before reinserting into the dehumidifier."

5. Clean the exterior

To finish Michael says, "Wipe down the exterior to keep dust and dirt from entering the unit. Use a soft, damp cloth and avoid using harsh chemicals." A microfibre cloth is a good choice for this job.

Try these to help keep a dehumidifier clean

Replacing an air filter

An air filter is very much a part of a dehumidifier and will need replacing regularly as Michael explains, “In order to maintain fresher, cleaner air in the home we recommend the HEPA filter (if your dehumidifier has one; not all do) is replaced roughly every three months.”

If your dehumidifier does have a HEPA filter Michael explains the benefits, “The HEPA filter provides enhanced air cleaning capabilities, turning your dehumidifier into a combined dehumidifier and air purifier.” He adds, “The HEPA is used in addition to the air filter that comes as standard in dehumidifiers so that you can get two stages of filtration. The old HEPA filter should be disposed of.”

Avoid cleaning dehumidifier coils

Dehumidifiers have a set of coils that help turn humid air into liquid form - water. These can be delicate and difficult to reach. Michael advises against cleaning them, “We advise users not to disassemble the unit for coil cleaning, as the coils are delicate and attempting to clean them could cause damage, potentially invalidating the manufacturer's warranty.”

He suggests, “Instead, just keeping the air filter clean is the best way to ensure the coils remain in good condition, as this prevents dust buildup that could otherwise reach and affect the coils.”

FAQs

How do you clean out mould from a dehumidifier?

If you leave the bucket of a dehumidifier mould can start to grow. If it does you will need a little more patience and elbow grease than normal as Adele Brennan Home electrical buyer at Domu Brands Ltd explains, “If you’re dealing with mould and it seems harder to remove, use warm water and mild dish soap but leave it sitting for a little bit before trying to clean off the mould and residue with a sponge or cloth.”

But this method might not work for stubborn mould. If this is the case Brennan says, “You can use a mould spray to remove the stubborn residue. It is advised to leave it sitting for a while, and then you can wipe away the mould. She adds, “It is important to make sure the water tank/bucket is rinsed out properly and dried before being put back into the main part of the dehumidifier.”

It is important to note that you should not use boiling water to clean the water tank.

How often should a dehumidifier be emptied?

How often you need to empty a dehumidifier depends on a number of factors as Brennan explains, “In terms of emptying a dehumidifier, it mainly depends on the size of your model and how often you use it. If you’re leaving it to run day and night, you may have to empty it once in the morning and once in the evening.”

Obviously, if you use less then you won’t need to empty as often as Brennan shares, “If you’re using it less often, we’d recommend emptying every couple of days to make sure mould doesn’t build up.” She adds, “If you’re not planning on using it again straight away after cleaning, it is advised to dry the appliance thoroughly to further prevent mould.”

Dehumidifiers are great for removing moisture out of the air. To make sure you are using it correctly and getting the best from it check out these dehumidifier mistakes, our piece on whether dehumidifiers dry clothes effectively and dehumidifier running costs.

As someone who struggles with allergies and shares a home with two furry friends, I was on the hunt for a solution to improve the air quality in my space.

Enter the Dyson air purifier – a sleek device promising to filter out allergens, odours, and airborne pollutants.

After years of use, I can confidently say it’s been a game-changer for my breathing and my home’s environment. But is it worth the price tag? Here's my take.

How does the Dyson air purifier work?

The Dyson air purifier, which is currently nearly £100 off for Amazon's Black Friday sale, works by inhaling your room's air through the small circular holes and processing it through its filtration system.

Its filtration system supposedly captures 99.95% of microscopic particles, including common allergens like pollen, dust, and mould spores, which is important for me as I have allergies to dust and pets. This I have found to be hugely beneficial and I've definitely had fewer allergic reactions with the Dyson air purifier running, even though my dogs continue to roam the house.

I also have family members with cystic fibrosis so ensuring as little dangerous air impurities as possible is a must, and with an additional activated carbon layer of protection this further reduces airborne irritants that could exacerbate respiratory issues. I can't say whether this has helped them though.

The purifier includes 10 speed settings, allowing me to adjust the airflow intensity with '10' being almost like a hairdryer and '1' being nearly an unnoticeable breeze.

It's probably also worth pointing out that similar models with similar tech, like the upgraded Dyson Hot & Cold Fan Heater also are on offer for Black Friday with £50 off at John Lewis.

How I choose to use it?

I choose to leave the purifier on overnight next to my bed as my allergies tend to hit me most in the morning and since I have got the Dyson air purifier I have noticed less allergy symptoms, such as a blocked nose or watery eyes.

They haven't completely stopped but it is a notable difference. Leaving it on overnight also doesn't disrupt my sleep either with its quiet operation whilst in its 'nighttime' mode.

The purifier will instantly blow fresh clean air in any direction you wish but it can also swivel in 45° or a 90° motion. This will normally cool down my bedroom (10ftx12ft) in 10-15 minutes.

As it's in my bedroom I only leave it running at night so it doesn't increase my electricity bill too much but it could be left on all day for those that find they need it.

Changing the filter is incredibly easy

I didn't want a product that requires constant maintenance, which is why Dyson's easy-to-replace air filter made this purifier ideal for me.

The HEPA air purifier filter cost £17.99 on Amazon and Dyson recommends you replace this annually, although I found the purifier worked fine 18 months after getting it and never once replacing the filter.

But when I did replace it it couldn't have been more straightforward. Simply pressing the two buttons on either side lifts the fan, take the filter cage out and swap the new filter in for the old, and voilà, done.

Remote control for switching settings

The Dyson air purifier also comes with a remote control for handling the purifier from around the room.

With this you can alter the speed, turn on night-time mode for when you're about to sleep, set a timer for how long you want the purifier on for, control whether you want the purifier to swivel or set it to 'auto' for a low speed, comfort setting.

One slight drawback is these settings can only be done using the controller, which I have to say has got lost on a few occasions, so I could only manually turn it on and had to go without the other features. Although this feature has been fixed with newer models, such as the Dyson Formaldehyde Air Purifier's remote, which can magnetically be stuck onto the purifier so it isn't lost.

Other Dyson air purifiers on the market include other features such as the Dyson Purifier Hot and Cool Purifier Fan that can blow hot air as well as cold and can be controlled by an app but for the additional cost (£540.55) and the same air purifying performance, I didn't feel this was worth it for me personally.

This Dyson air purifier is currently on sale on Amazon down from a RRP of £499.99 to £355.32, which is significantly lower than the Dyson Formaldehyde Tower Fan, which costs £499, and only has slightly more power in its fan.

Overall, I have found the Dyson to be extremely helpful with my allergies and it remains a permanent feature of my bedroom which I doubt I'll be replacing anytime soon.

If you're wondering how does a portable air conditioning unit work to see if it could be enough to fulfil your air conditioning needs, in basic terms it extracts heat in a similar way to fixed home air conditioning solutions.

However, with that heat needing to go somewhere once extracted, there are some differences in how the cooling process works and how that impacts on the portability of the unit.

Here we take a look at the technical details to see if it could be a potential option for you.

How does a portable air conditioning unit work to make a room cooler?

Portable air conditioning units are about the size of large vacuum cleaner and have wheels on them allowing them to be wheeled to a new position as required. They are not portable while running, but can be moved to a new location in the home when not being operated .

In terms of how they work, portable air conditioning units draw air from the room, extract the heat from that air and then blow back the now cool air into the room. It is the extraction of heat that makes air conditioning effective.

However, as the extracted heat is exhausted into a second flow of air, this air subsequently needs to be ducted out of the building and you will also need a water container for the condensation produced during the process. Depending on the humidity, a portable air conditioning unit can fill a bucket with condensation in just a few hours.

Do all portable air conditioning units have to be vented out of a window?

All portable air conditioners need to vent waste heat. And if the air conditioning unit simply vented the heat out of the back of the unit, the room would not cool down, in fact the room would more than likely heat up.

A window is often the most convenient place from which to vent the heat, but a door, cat flap or purpose made duct hole in the fabric of the building is also a suitable option. You can find more advice on the different models available in our guide to the best portable air conditioners.

How is the process different to the way fixed air conditioning works?

Fixed air conditioning installation involves putting a fan unit outside the building and another fan unit inside the building. The two fans are connected via refrigerant pipes, fixed in place and cannot be moved without a qualified engineer.

The refrigerant transfers the heat from the inside unit to the outside unit where it discharges the heat. Therefore, no visible ducting pipes are required for this purpose as the connections take place inside the structure of your home.

Fixed air conditioning units can also be installed in more than one room, whereas portable air conditioning units only work in one location. A fixed multi-split option can have up to around 10 indoor units connected to one outdoor fan unit and they can be either all on, all off or only specified units run.

They can also usually do cooling or heating as they can run in reverse. The air flows can be better and the cooling effect also more effective but that comes at a cost that starts at around £1000 for an installed single room fixed unit or from around £1100 per room for a multi split unit.

Try these portable air-conditioning units

Are portable air conditioning units environmentally friendly?

Modern portable air conditioning units now use more environmentally friendly refrigerants. The refrigerant is hermetically sealed (factory sealed) so the refrigerant should not leak and does not usually need topping up. The quantity of refrigerant in the system is also not enough to be harmful if it did happen to leak out.

Do portable air conditioning units use a lot of electricity?

If you're questioning how much does a portable air conditioner cost to run, units typically use between 600W and 1300W per hour. They will produce nearly 3 times that in cooling effect. Electricity is currently (July 2024) around 22p/kWh. That means that it will cost 22p to run 1000W for 1 hour. The air conditioning unit will therefore cost between 13p and 29p per hour to run.

If you use solar photovoltaic panels to provide you with electricity, then this is the perfect combination. The exact time that you mostly need cooling is when the sun is at its peak. The generated electricity can then be used to directly run the air conditioning unit. Clearly there is no sun at night but this is where a battery system could be deployed to cover that time.

Prefer to cool your house in other ways? Find out 11 tips that offer suggestions for how to keep a house cool and if you're at the design stage for your self-build, be sure to incorporate these 5 natural house cooling ideas.

While once a feature reserved to homes in hotter climates, air conditioning installation has gained interest in recent years with rising temperatures forcing us to look at ways of keeping our homes cool.

However, given its relatively infancy in UK homes, adding air conditioning to your home may seem like a complicated job requiring a lot of disruption. And while portable air conditioning units require no explanation, fully installed systems do indeed feature a number of different parts that will need to be fixed on the interior and exterior of your home.

Here, we explain what to expect from air conditioning installation and explain what you can expect when retrofitting it to an existing property.

Installing fitted air conditioning

Installing air conditioning in a house can is a tricky job if you're not a registered professional or an air conditioning engineer, so you should always seek the help of an expert.

While it will normally form part of the service when you purchase an air con system, it pays to have a good understanding of how the different types of air conditioning are fitted so that you know what to expect.

"Installed air conditioning units come in two parts," explains David Hilton, Homebuilding & Renovating's energy efficiency expert. "The split system, the most common option for homeowners needs to be installed by a registered F-Gas engineer."

Single split systems tend to be the cheapest option for those worried about air conditioning cost, and they are made up of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Installation usually involves the engineer fitting an evaporative machine inside, while outside, a condensing unit will be put in place.

In addition, there are pipes containing refrigerant and cables that run between the two units. These are commonly concealed within trunking. Split systems are usually ductless which makes their installation less intrusive and disruptive – all you need to do is set up the internal and external units and connect them with cabling.

Multi split systems also still have one outdoor unit, but there can be many indoor units to serve different rooms. These are more expensive and more time consuming to install.

"Split systems can sometimes still have ducts on the evaporators (the inside part of the AC unit)," says David Hilton. "That then allows one evaporator to service more than one room."

Ducted systems can be more complicated

However, if you decide on a central – or ducted – air conditioning unit, things will be a little different in terms of installation, although these systems are still pretty uncommon in the UK.

These systems have a single indoor unit which will usually be located in the loft or a basement. This unit is ducted out to different rooms of the house where it emits cool air through discreet grilles in the ceiling or walls.

Ducting can be run in the walls or ceiling (or both) meaning that installation is far more labour intensive, disruptive and expensive. That said, many homeowners feel that it is worth it due to the sleek and subtle end result of these systems.

And although taking a look at how to prevent overheating in homes is the first point of call for any new home, fitting air conditioning will of course be an easier addition to your HVAC (home ventilation and air conditioning) scheme when planning a self build as it will all take place at the same time as other services are installed.

What to expect from air conditioning installation inside your home

One of the first things you will need to decide on is where in your home your indoor unit – or units, the case of multi-split systems – will be located. Your installer will usually talk this through with you in order to make sure you don't think it can go in one of the places never to put air conditioning.

It is worth noting that most units will need to be attached to a wall and at least 7 feet from the floor. They should also have between 6 and 12 inches of unobstructed space around them in all directions to allow for good airflow.

"Indoor units can also be more compact than expected," says Adam Knight, a lead engineer at BOXT. "For example, the Bosch 3200i measures just 802mm wide, 295mm tall, and 200mm deep."

Once the location of the indoor units has been decided, your installer will begin by attached a mounting plate to the wall. This is a metal sheet that sits between the unit and the wall to protect either from damage.

With the metal sheet is in place, using a circular drill, your installer will make a hole of around 3" in diameter for the new cables to pass through. It is normal for whoever is installing the unit to check the internal electrics of the unit before the pipes are run through the new hole and out to the external unit. Finally, the indoor unit can be fixed to the mounting plate.

Installing an outdoor air conditioning unit

As mentioned previously, split system air conditioning units have both indoor and outdoor elements to them.

“The size of the external unit depends on the power of the system and how many indoor units it’s supporting," explains Adam Knight, "but for a typical single-room setup, the outdoor unit is roughly the size of a small suitcase – usually around 70–80cm wide, 50–60cm tall, and 25–35cm deep. For multi-room systems, the unit will be slightly larger to support the additional load.

"These external units are designed to be unobtrusive and can be wall-mounted, floor-standing or even positioned on a balcony, depending on the layout of your home. We always try to place them somewhere discreet that doesn’t impact your living space or the aesthetic of your home," confirms Adam.

According to the experts at D-Air, the outdoor condenser must be positioned at least 12 inches away from a wall. It also must also be installed near the hole that was drilled earlier. Care should also be taken to ensure the unit will not be within 10 feet of a television or an antenna.

One final note on positioning your outdoor unit – these are basically large fans and as they are essentially air to air heat pumps, there will be a small element of air conditioning noise, so take time to think about where this noise will be best contained.

If floor standing, they should also be placed on a solid surface, so a concrete pad will usually be used as a base and ideally, this should be raised off the ground. The outdoor heat exchanger is fixed to the concrete with rubber pads or cushions that should reduce any vibration.

The last step is to check the unit's internal wiring, before the cables that should now be protruding through the wall, are connected with the external machine.

FAQs

How long does it take to install air conditioning?

Providing you have chosen a qualified installer, this is not a process that should take too long at all. In general, it should take no more than a couple of days – although for more complex jobs timescales could be a little longer.

"Once you’ve chosen your system, installation can happen as soon as the next day (subject to the nature of the job and when the order is placed," says Adam Knight. "A certified engineer comes to your home to fit the unit safely and efficiently. Some jobs do require scaffolding, which may mean an additional cost to your fixed price, but we’ll flag this to you during the online process, and always look for the best solutions to keep costs down."

After care is also important once your air conditioning installation has taken place says Adam.

"Our in-house audit team will remotely review and sign off every job. You can keep track of your installation progress in our handy app, where you can also find all warranty and product information once the installation is complete, as well as speak directly to our experts if you have any questions," he confirms.

Can you install air con in a listed building or an apartment?

“While air conditioning can technically be installed in most property types, including apartments and listed buildings, it’s important to be realistic," says Adam Knight, "as these installations can be more complex and often require additional approvals or significant alterations.

"In listed buildings or conservation areas, planning permission and or listed building consent may be required for installing the external unit, especially if it alters the appearance of the property. The same goes for some flats or leasehold apartments; you may need permission from the freeholder or building management," he warns.

"Our team can advise on what’s needed and help you find a system that meets regulations while keeping the installation as discreet as possible. Compact, wall-mounted systems are ideal for these situations because they take up minimal space inside and out," suggests Adam.

Does portable air conditioning ever require installation?

The best portable air conditioning units are a great option for homeowners who want to avoid the disruption of having a unit installed as they require no fitting – as we explain in how does a portable air conditioning unit work, they can simply be moved from room to room as required and are just plugged into an electrical socket.

"Portable units are compact and can be easily ported from room-to-room. They don't require professional installation and after the summer season has ended can be stored away," explains Chris Michael MD and founder of Meaco. "Some models also have dual heating functionality so that it can be used in the winter to keep warm."

The only challenging thing about portable air conditioning says David Hilton, is that, "a portable system still needs the duct to be run to outside as warm air is discharged. The duct is around 150mm diameter so you will need to ensure you can place the unit near an open window."

While the installation of home air conditioning seems to be on the rise, this is not your only option. Take a look at our round up of the best natural house cooling ideas, which looks at everything from your landscaping scheme to methods of passive cooling and make sure you know the best ways to keep a room cool, regardless of whether you've gone ahead with air conditioning installation or not.

While talk of air conditioning costs in the summer is not unheard of, it's become a more popular topic in recent years with regular mini heatwaves. And, with many air con units also offering a dual heating function too, the expenditure might suddenly be seeming less extravagant.

But, with air conditioning still a relatively new concept in the UK, you could be unsure what to expect from air conditioning costs. From purchasing and installing air con, through to running and maintenance costs, is it a luxury purchase or one that could be within reach?

Energy expert, David Hilton, along with other air conditioning experts shoot the breeze on what to expect to pay for air conditioning costs.

Factors influencing cost

Understanding the factors influencing air conditioning costs, isn't just a case of assuming the bigger the size of air con you need, the higher the costs. There are a number of other points to take into consideration too.

"The cost of an air conditioning unit varies depending on the size, type and heating and cooling requirement of the property," explains Hamid Samili, residential product manager at Daikin UK.

"We suggest working with a qualified installer to discuss the best option for your budget. However, there are also many online tools available to calculate this, including our Daikin Calculator."

"You'll also need to take into account the location of the unit," adds Adam Knight, a lead engineer at BOXT. And perhaps change your mind set as well.

“Air conditioning is often seen as a luxury, but it’s becoming much more accessible, and for many people, it’s a smart long-term investment in comfort and wellbeing," he explains.

"With new research from BOXT revealing that over a quarter of Brits (28%) spend over £300 each summer on gimmicks battling the heat (neck fans, cooling wipes, misting sprays and slushie machines etc), all of which are just temporary cooling hacks, the maths suddenly becomes more about appreciating the long term investment value vs the quick fix that financially adds up over time," he says.

How much does air conditioning cost for one room?

Fully installed air conditioning systems have an outdoor fan unit that is connected to indoor fan unit via refrigerant pipes and they have a number of different configurations. The simplest fully installed air conditioning systems are known as room air conditioners (RAC) comprising of one outdoor fan unit and one indoor unit.

These systems are usually for single room use and your air conditioning cost for this will be based on materials and air con installation.

"At BOXT, the cost of installing a fitted unit in one room starts from £2,199, which includes professional installation," says Adam Knight. "For those who prefer to spread the cost, we offer flexible finance options starting at just £30.67 a month with no deposit. That’s the equivalent of a few iced drinks a month – but instead of a quick fix to cool down, you’re getting consistent, controllable comfort in your home, plus better air quality and improved sleep."

An advancement on the RAC unit is where there is one outdoor fan unit and two indoor units. Both indoor units serve a single room and they are both either on or off. You cannot usually operate the indoor units individually and they can only be in cooling or heating mode.

The exact specification of the indoor units will often differ between manufacturers and it is definitely worth getting a number of quotes for different brands.

How much does whole-house air conditioning cost?

For those looking at how to keep a house cool, the next step up is the multi split air conditioner – these systems have one outdoor fan unit and can have up to around 10 indoor units depending on manufacturer.

The indoor units can be located in the same room or in separate rooms, can be operated individually or together in any number up to the full installed amount.

The costs of multi split systems vary according to which indoor units you have, and there are a number of different indoor units ranging from fan convectors that look a bit like a central heating radiator, wall-mounted bulk heads, to slim duct systems that can be boxed in and ducts installed to distribute the air.

These units are popular because the air conditioning noise is then further away from the point of delivery but there does need to be more design detail put in to define where the ducts go. This can all add cost.

The simplest installation will usually be the wall-mounted bulk head type of indoor unit.

"Our two-room packages start from £4,995 which includes a smart speaker for voice control," confirms Adam Knight, "The good news is, there are smart solutions that make it more efficient and economical. We install multi-split systems that use one outdoor unit to power multiple indoor units. Not only does this follow industry guidelines, but it helps reduce the visual clutter and space needed outside.

"It also gives you zoned control," he adds, "so you can cool or heat individual rooms as needed, which helps save on energy bills in the long run."

Air conditioning running costs

Air conditioning units use electricity so this does need to be taken into account when looking at your overall air conditioning costs. The air con unit uses a refrigerant cycle to deliver cooling and the waste heat is rejected to the outside. The process allows for around 300% efficiency, meaning that if you use 1kWh of electricity you will get an equivalent 3kW of cooling.

Taking the average air conditioning indoor unit at around 2kW means you will use around 600W of electricity. With average electricity costs currently at around 24.50p per kWh, expect the air conditioning to cost around 15.4p per hour per indoor unit.

Or, for a higher cooling efficiency unit of 6kWh, it'll be around 2kWh, costing 51.46p per hour per indoor unit.

“The cost of running an air conditioning system varies depending on factors like the size of your space, how often you use it, and your electricity tariff," agrees Adam Knight, "but it’s often less than people think. For example, a high-efficiency Bosch unit can cost as little as 27p - 30p per hour to run. That means if you use it overnight for eight hours in the summer, you’re looking at just over £2 a night for cool, clean air.

At Daikin, Hamid Salimi explains how, "the running cost of a multi-split unit for both heating and cooling a house with five habitable areas is around £900 a year.

"This cost is based on the system running for six hours per day, seven days a week," says Hamid. "If the running hours are reduced to 4 hours, in a well-insulated house, the running cost will drop to around £600 a year."

Air conditioning maintenance and service costs

A fully installed air conditioning system must be inspected regularly to assess its energy efficiency, so you'll also need to factor this air conditioning cost into your plans when considering introducing a system into to your home.

Again costs may vary depending on the supplier, so be sure to ask for this to be included when you get your initial range of costs.

"We would recommend an annual service of your air conditioning unit," says Hamid Salimi. "This involves a full system check, including cleaning all the filters, outdoor coil and looking for any issues in the pipework. A typical annual maintenance cost is £150 - £200, depending on the size, location and type of the unit."

"An annual service is usually required to keep the manufacturer warranty, and costs will vary depending on where you live and the size and location of the unit," adds Adam Knight. "However, a one-off service can cost roughly £70 - £120 per unit. Regular maintenance is key to ensure everything is running efficiently and helps catch any small issues before they become expensive problems.

"For example, it will tell you if a replacement filter is required," he says. "However, these are relatively cheap, and can come in at under £10."

Ways to save on your air conditioning costs

However, as with most heating or cooling systems in your home, there are ways you can help reduce costs, both in terms of creating a home where a smaller size unit may be sufficient, and your running costs can be reduced.

"First, make sure your home insulation is the best it can be," says Adam Knight. "If cool air is escaping through poorly sealed windows or doors, your system will have to work harder and use more energy.

"Second, regular maintenance is key," he warns. As well as the yearly check-up, you should also keep vents and filters clean, as clogged filters can reduce airflow and increase power usage, especially if you have pets.

"Another great tip is to pair your air conditioning with solar power," suggests Adam. "While most people think of AC as something that just cools a room, many don’t realise that modern systems can also provide efficient heating, making them a smart, year-round solution. When powered by solar pv, your AC becomes even more cost-effective, using clean, renewable energy to reduce running costs in both summer and winter.

"Finally, when using your AC, think carefully about what temperature your air con should be set at. Keep in mind that temperatures don’t need to be set as low as you might think. Between 21 and 23 degrees will usually suffice to create a comfortable room," advises Adam.

What is the cheapest type of air conditioning?

The lowest air conditioning cost you can expect to pay is for a portable model rather than a fixed system. These units, as the name suggests, are portable and can be moved from room to room as required. The best portable air conditioners start at around £250 and have no installation costs.

If you're wondering how does a portable air conditioning unit work, "a portable air conditioner is a convenient and flexible cooling solution without the commitment and expense of a fixed air conditioning system," explains Chris Michael, managing director at Meaco. "They are compact and can be easily ported from room-to-room. They don't require professional installation and after the summer season has ended can be stored away. Some models have dual heating functionality so that they can be used in the winter to keep warm too."

A portable air conditioning unit is around the size of a laundry basket and will usually plug into a standard electric wall socket.

You will need to run a duct (approximately 125mm diameter) out of a window to expel the warmth. The warm air must be expelled to the outside of the property so if there is no window or route outside then you will not be able to use these units. You will also need a bucket to run the condensate drain into.

How much does a portable air conditioner cost to run? You may well be pleasantly surprised when you look into how much they cost to buy and run. However, you will still need to weigh up the pros and cons of a fixed vs portable system in order to ensure you're spending your money in the best possible way.

Try these portable air conditioning products to keep your house cool

Arguably, the cheapest solution is to avoid air con altogether by preventing our homes from overheating in the first instance.

Building Regulations Part O (Overheating) was introduced in June 2022 to help mitigate against this. Albeit this looks at potential overheating in new properties, not existing properties, nor does it necessarily mean that cooling solutions are not required on the hottest day; as such air conditioning is still a viable choice.

Just make sure you combine any cooling system with simple tips for keeping a room cool to help keep running costs down and energy efficiency high.

Most of us have heard of communal heating, where heat is generated at a central source, with either hot water or steam circulated to homes and other nearby buildings using insulated pipes. The largest cover entire cities such as Stockholm in Sweden or Flensburg in Germany, using a network of large pipes.

District heating is usually more energy efficient due to the simultaneous production of heat and electricity in combined heat and power generation plants.

But the concept has a lesser-known application – district cooling – where towns and cities are serviced by large and energy-efficient central air conditioning systems.

What is district cooling?

District cooling provides chilled water for indoor cooling purposes to industrial, commercial, and residential buildings through a closed loop pipe network.

Paris, Munich, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Toronto are constructing massive and efficient central cooling systems that consume less electricity.

They are used by hospitals, hotels, residential buildings, data processing centres, and other large buildings.

How does district cooling work?

The cold water used in a district cooling system can come from free sources such as sea water, or it can be produced from sources like waste heat with the use of steam turbine-driven or absorption chillers or electric chillers. 

Stefan Dworschak of Stadtwerke München, a city-owned communal company that supplies electricity to more than 95% of Munich's homes, told DW: "We try to use as much groundwater or city streams as possible as the main cooling supplier.”

Heat can also be used to power absorption chillers using a thermodynamic process that allows water to be chilled and distributed for HVAC needs. For example excess heat from a waste incineration plant is used to power an absorption chiller in the Austrian capital of Vienna.

Why district cooling may be cheaper than air con

District cooling can reach an efficiency rate five or even 10 times higher than a traditional cooling system because of economies of scale and the way it uses waste and renewable energy - a key reason why people in Europe, Asia and Canada are keen to switch.

Implementing air conditioning at a smaller scale is more expensive and less efficient because it requires a large consumption of electricity to force heat into hot air. District cooling can therefore help with air conditioning costs.

Engineering company Danfoss states: “District cooling can reduce cooling energy consumption by 50%. It can drastically reduce electricity use during peak demand periods, too.

“A network with electric chillers for cold storage helps reduce peak electricity demand for cooling in a city by shifting production to periods of the day or night when there is less run on the electrical network.”

Could district cooling be coming to the UK?

The global district cooling market size is projected to grow from £23 billion in 2023 to £36.27 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.72% during the forecast period, according to Fortune Business Insights.

British homes are generally not designed to cope with heat – we’re normally trying to keep the heat in – but as temperatures creep upwards, many of us will be looking at investing in air conditioning.

District cooling could make sense in the UK as part of its push to reduce energy bills. Most towns in the UK are based around rivers and many lie on the coast, which can be used to purge heat from a district cooling network.

Perhaps you invested in one to stop condensation, but can a dehumidifier cool a room?

These handy appliances can actually perform all kinds of functions to help homeowners enjoy a more comfortable environment in their houses, but exactly how do dehumidifiers work and could they come in useful as temperatures rise and things start to get uncomfortably hot? In short, can they help with lowering the heat in a room or house?

In this article, we look at whether using a dehumidifier to cool down a room is a viable option or whether running your appliance in order to get some respite from the heat is nothing more than a waste of money and energy. We also investigate the other best uses of a dehumidifier and the alternative ways of cooling down a room fast. 

Can a dehumidifier cool a room?

If you were hoping to use your dehumidifier to cool down a room then you are going to be sorely disappointed. 

"The answer is definitely no," states Meaco’s managing director Chris Michael. "Consumers often wonder this and they should be set straight. No room for confusion here."

So there you have it, in no uncertain terms. 

Does a dehumidifier heat a room? Yes, it can certainly help, but if you have invested in a dehumidifier what can you, realistically, expect from it?

What does a dehumidifier do?

It is important to understand the limitations of any appliances in your home — including dehumidifiers. We are all trying to keep an eye on our energy bills right now and using appliances for the wrong purpose will most certainly not help with this. 

"A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air — excess moisture that you do not want to condense and hang around your home," explains Chris Michael. "It helps to ease damp problems, gives you healthier air to breath and can even make your energy use more efficient." 

What's more, they can even help when it comes to making the dreaded task of mould removal a thing of the past.

"There are two main types of dehumidifier — the desiccant dehumidifier and the compressor dehumidifier," continues Chris.

Desiccant dehumidifiers are great for colder areas of the house, such as a garage or where there is no heating. "The air is drawn in over a filter and passed over an absorbent material called Zeolite," says Chris Michael. "When the material is saturated, a heater in the dehumidifier blows warm dry air across the Zeolite and the moisture condenses into water which is then dropped into a collection tank. The warm air is then passed back out of the dehumidifier at a higher temperature than the air that was taken in, so this dehumidifier can also act as a gentle heater."

If you want your dehumidifier to prevent damp and perhaps help clothes dry quicker in a laundry room, a compressor dehumidifier is your best bet. 

"This type of dehumidifier draws in the air but instead of using the absorbent Zeolite, compressors have a cold-coils system, like a fridge," says Chris Michael. "These types of dehumidifiers are often also referred to as ‘refrigeration dehumidifiers’. They have two sets of coils, the first cools to create the condensation, which is collected into the water tank, the second warms the dry air back to just above room temperature."

What problems can a dehumidifier solve?

We now know that a dehumidifier cannot cool a room — so what can they help with?

• Reduce or prevent condensation
• Prevent damp issues
• Dry clothes faster
• Provide gentle, background heat
• Reduce relative humidity in your house

Do air conditioners dehumidify?

Now you know that a dehumidifier won't help in your quest to keep cool this summer, you may well be considering buying an air conditioning unit instead.

"The simplest air conditioning unit is the portable unit," explains David Hilton, an authority in sustainable building and energy efficiency. "They are an all-in-one unit that is simply plugged into a wall socket and can operate anywhere in the home — you’ll be able to move it from room to room as required. There is the requirement to place a duct out of a window to expel the resultant warm air to the outside and you will also require a container to capture the condensation produced."

Your other option is to take the plunge and invest in a fully installed air conditioning unit. 

"These will have two parts and need to be installed by a registered gas engineer," says David. "There is a fan unit that is located outdoors and is connected via copper pipework and electrical connections to an indoor unit that delivers the cool air. The indoor unit can be a simple bolt-on box that goes on the wall at a high or low level, a hidden unit that can be in the ceiling or boxed in above wardrobes or above the door with the air distributed through a grille, or it can also be a fan unit that is located in a plant room or loft space with the cool air distributed to the rooms via a number of ducts. These systems are known as split air conditioning systems."

But do either of these also act as dehumidifiers too? 

"Air conditioning units do act as types of dehumidifiers," advises David. "When air is cooled, the water vapour in the air condenses and is no longer in the air, thus lowering the humidity."

If you like the idea of combining a dehumidifier and air conditioning unit, take a look at a product such as the KGOGO Portable Air Conditioner 9000 BTU 4-in-1 Air Conditioner from Amazon. 

What is the best way to cool down a room?

If the dehumidifier is not an option, finding out how to cool down a room in other ways should be something you get to understand before those sticky nights ruin your beauty sleep.

Take note of some of these tips to keep cool as a cucumber in soaring temperatures:

• Keep the sun out by closing blinds, curtains and shutters
• Take a look at the best portable air conditioners around and consider investing in one
• Open windows on one side of the room in question, then open those on the other side to create a cross breeze 
• Purchase an electric fan or two
• Keep doors between rooms open
• Switch off lights and appliances
• Fit external awnings over windows that receive the most light
• Install a ceiling fan 

How much does a portable air conditioner cost to run? It's a question many of us will be wondering while blasting your home with cool air this summer.

British homes are generally not designed to cope with heat – we’re normally trying to keep the heat in – but as the mercury soars, you might be using your portable air conditioning unit more often.

And with that comes the question of running costs as well as how much the unit itself will set you back, which you can read more about in our article on the best portable air conditioners.

Here we look at those hourly running costs as well as which portable air conditioners are the cheapest to run and whether having air conditioning properly installed in your home is a better option for your household.

How much does a portable air conditioner cost to run per hour?

To work out the cost of running air con, you need to know how much you pay for one unit of energy (1kw), which should be listed on your energy bill. For many of us, this will be close to the current energy price capped rate of 30p per kWh.

Next, you need to work out the kW output of your home air conditioning unit. You can do this by checking its wattage which can be found on the unit or the instruction leaflet. Once you know the wattage, convert this figure into kilowatt-hours by simply dividing the wattage by 1,000. This will reveal the amount of energy your air con uses per hour.

If using the price cap of 30p per kWh for electricity, a  850W unit works out as 26p per hour. When used for 12 hours a day, it would cost approximately £3.06, which would be £281.52 over the course of the summer.

Bear in mind the amount you spend depends on a variety of factors, such as the size and energy efficiency of the room you want to cool, the climate where you live, and when it is turned on.

Some air conditioners use a refrigerant and others simply cool air over ice or chilled water. Those using a refrigerant may use more electricity per hour but are usually more efficient at cooling, so you may not need to run them as long.

Which portable air conditioners are cheapest to run?

Most air con is evaporative or refrigerant-based. Evaporative cooling is a system that cools your home by taking the warm air from outside and passing it through moisture-laden pads. As the warm air passes through, it evaporates and the cooled air is then distributed throughout the house. This is ideal in hot, dry climates such as Australia but in the UK the humidity levels can be too high.

A refrigerated cooling system works by removing hot air inside a home, uses refrigerant gases to cool the air, and blows back the cooler air into the home.

John-Paul Drake, Energy Expert at Love Energy Savings says: “Evaporative cooling all the way. It is by far the cheaper option; it costs half as much to install, and is over seven times cheaper to run. This is because evaporative cooling systems rely on fans and water pumps, rather than gas and refrigerants.

“Refrigerated cooling offsets its higher running costs by delivering better results. Evaporative systems can also struggle to work well on humid days when there is already a lot of water vapour in the air.”

You can check out evaporative cooling air conditioning systems on Amazon from a range of different prices here.

Would installing air conditioning in my home be cheaper to run?

Installed systems usually comprise an outdoor unit that has a fan in it. The fan is then connected to an indoor unit via two insulated pipes that contain refrigerant.

Simple systems designed for a single-room application will have one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. These are known as single-room air conditioners

John-Paul adds: “Physically installing air con to your home can carry a hefty installation fee, while wall-mounted units also tend to be pricier than their freestanding counterparts, but it is worth it in the long run.”

Homebuilding and Renovating has put together a guide on air conditioning running costs if you are looking for more detailed information.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article included a quote from a purported expert whose credentials we have not been able to verify. The quote has been removed. We regret this lapse in our verification process and have updated our internal protocols to reduce the risk of recurrence.

While many families switch on their air conditioning units at night to help them sleep — apparently, doing so might be having the opposite effect.

Sleep experts are suggesting that running your AC at night could in fact be making you feel worse the next day. This is due to it potentially disturbing your sleep in a number of different ways. And that's before your next energy bill comes in...

But ditching the air conditioning unit all together isn't a good idea either, with reports suggesting that the ideal temperature for a bedroom is between 16 and 18°C to get a good night’s sleep as well as the functionality of air conditioning units being improved when a room's temperature isn't allowed to get too hot.

"Cooling is often a gradual process that happens in cycles and therefore the air conditioning may need to be switched on before the room heats up too much," Homebuilding & Renovating's energy efficiency expert David Hilton explains.

We look at why choosing run your best portable air conditioners during the daytime instead of at night is probably a sensible compromise, either that or investing in a more suitable unit for your needs.

Your AC unit can circulate dust and pollen 

While having your windows open will allow pollen and dust into your bedroom, having your home air conditioning unit running at night while you sleep, can circulate it around the room.

"Hay fever and allergens are typically airborne, so fans and ACs can spread them around your room and onto furniture and bedding, resulting in sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes," Ashley Hainsworth from Bed Kingdom explains. "Relaxed breathing is essential to a night of good sleep, so when our allergies are triggered by polluted air in our bedrooms, it can lead to poor-quality sleep that leaves you tired in the morning."

The solution is simple, run your air conditioning unit in your bedroom during the daytime when you aren't using it, and switch it off at night. And on low pollen-count nights, open up the windows to allow cooler air in. 

"Sleep masks can also help keep pollen out of your eyes when you sleep, as well as regularly changing sheets and washing pets to keep them free of irritants," Ashley Hainsworth at Bed Kingdom adds.

If you really suffer from allergies at night, you could also look at investing in an air purifier to help you sleep. The Honeywell HPA830 Designer Tower Air Purifier is Quiet Mark certified making it a decent choice for overnight.

Noise from your AC unit can disturb your sleep

The Sleep Charity suggests most people generally need a quiet bedroom to sleep well, with noise tending to be most disruptive in the lighter stages of sleep but most damaging when it wakes us up from our deepest sleep. 

That means a loud fan or air conditioning unit blasting away all night is not going to help give you a restful night, potentially leaving you feeling groggy and tired the next day — the opposite of what is likely to have been intended by keeping the unit running.

That said, if you desperately do want to keep your AC unit running at night, there are air conditioning units that have a night mode. These are far quieter when in this mode, to help avoid any sleep disturbances. 

The DeLonghi Pinguino portable air conditioning unit is on the pricier end of the scale but claims to have a noise level of between 47 and 51 decibels. Meanwhile the wall-mounted LG split air conditioning unit with heat pump claims to produce a rather impressive minimum of 19 decibels.

Getting too cold will ruin natural sleep rhythms

Waking up shivering because your AC unit is pumping out too much cold air is not only unpleasant, it can really interfere with your sleeping patterns. 

Alvin Pullins, a home improvement and maintenance specialist, tells Homes & Gardens: "Maintaining a cool and comfortable bedroom environment is crucial for a good night's sleep. However, shallow temperatures, especially during sleep, can interfere with sleep quality and overall restfulness."

Not only that but more warmth in the bedroom will help sooth and relax and tense muscles overnight.

Running your AC unit at night will be expensive 

The type of air conditioning you use is a factor in working out exactly how much your air conditioning will cost to run at night, but as a general guide David Hilton says it can be around 68p per hour for AC units that use 2kWH of electricity. This is based on an average electricity price of 34p/kWh.

Hilton explains: "Air conditioning costs depend on the output of the unit that you install. The air conditioning system uses electricity to run a refrigerant system that creates the cooling. The cooling power is more than the electric consumption so a 6kW air conditioning system may use only around 2kWh of electricity."

That means, if you having your AC unit running for nine hours each night — it'll be costing you £6.12 a day, £42.84 a week and £189.12 a month. Given how much cooler it is at night compared to the day, this might be a good place to save money on your energy bill. It's also worth pointing out that you can get portable air conditioning units that are more energy efficient, such as the ElectriQ range on Appliances Direct. Theirmore powerful model pumps out 12,000BTUs with a cooling power of 3.5kWh, which should only use around 1.2kWh of electricity — plus it has an inbuilt fan and dehumidifier.

More tips to keep cool at night

Keeping blinds closed during the day and opening windows at night is the best thing to do when considering how to cool down a room.

"Heat can transfer from the sun into a room. During the hottest parts of the day, consider keeping blinds and curtains closed to block any unwanted heat transferring," says Ashley Hainsworth from Bed Kingdom. "This is especially important if any windows are facing the sun. If your blinds are dark in colour, consider switching them for a light cream or white to stop them from absorbing the heat."

On the flip side, opening blinds in the early morning or late evening can help cool the room before you go to sleep as this is when it is cooler outside.

Meanwhile, Maddy from Mattress Online recommends opening up your loft hatch to allow the heat inside the attic to escape. At Homebuilding & Renovating we agree with the theory of letting heat escape out of the loft to keep bedrooms cooler but, really the way to be properly doing this is through appropriate ventilation in the loft space rather than having to open up the loft hatch.

Other tips on how to prevent overheating in homes include switching your bed sheets to natural materials such as 100% cotton, bamboo or linen, wearing loose cotton pyjamas, sleeping downstairs, keeping space between you and your partner, and making pets sleep in their own beds rather than snuggle their heat into yours.

A pioneering technology called AeroBarrier is transforming the construction industry with its approach to improving airtightness in buildings. 

After emerging in the United States, AeroBarrier has launched in the UK to block unwanted airflow, aiming to significantly enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort.

This technology claims to allow those building a house to choose their desired air tightness and create homes that meet ventilation building regulations, while also reducing energy bills for homeowners. 

We take a look at how AeroBarrier technology works, how it alters airflow and whether it might be a worthwhile option for your project.

What is AeroBarrier?

AeroBarrier is a new technology designed to improve airtightness. It has already been rolled out to great success in the USA, Canada and the UAE, and has just become available in the UK too.

The way AeroBarrier works is essentially by sealing air leaks in buildings using a special mist that contains tiny particles engineered to form an airtight barrier. This mist is released into the building interior and dispersed throughout the space. As it travels, it automatically seeks out and seals any gaps or leaks in the building envelope. The particles in the mist are propelled by air pressure, and as they accumulate, they form a continuous and complete seal, effectively blocking any unwanted airflow.

And it's creators are so confident of AeroBarrier's effectiveness that they'll guarantee it to a specific level of airtightness — either the UK building standard of 8 m3/hr.m2 or to Passivhaus levels of 0.6m3/hm3.

Why is this airflow control important in a home?

Airflow can be categorised into two main types: intentional and unintentional airflow.

1) Intentional airflow is deliberately designed and controlled through ventilation systems. This includes natural ventilation with the supply of fresh air from outside and the removal of stale or polluted air from indoors. Intentional airflow is often achieved through mechanisms such as windows, doors, vents, and mechanical ventilation systems like fans or air conditioners or MVHR systems.

2) Unintentional airflow, on the other hand, refers to the movement of air through unintended paths, such as gaps, cracks, or leaks in the building envelope. These unintended pathways can occur around windows, doors, electrical outlets, plumbing penetrations, or any other area where the building's structure is not completely airtight. Unintentional airflow can result in air leakage, leading to energy loss, decreased indoor air quality, and compromised thermal comfort.

Good ventilation helps to remove pollutants, odours, excess moisture, and airborne contaminants from indoor spaces. It also prevents the build-up of stale air as well as mould growth in the damper months.

Techniques to manage airflow in homes include air sealing, adding insulation, installing mechanical ventilation systems, air filters, and regular maintenance to identify and repair air leaks. 

What are the building regulations for airtightness?

In the past year, England and Wales have implemented new building regulations aimed at strengthening the requirements for airtightness in new constructions. 

These regulations (Part L is the section of the building regulations that covers the energy efficiency of buildings) have reduced the limit for air permeability in new buildings from 10 m3/hr.m2 to 8 m3/hr.m2. Alongside this change, other significant updates have been made to the regulation of airtightness.

While the building regulation changes targets are not overly demanding, they mark the beginning of a process that is expected to lead to even stricter standards in the future with the UK targeting lower carbon emissions and greater energy efficiency in homes.

By improving airtightness, the regulations aim to minimise heat loss and improve the overall energy performance of new and existing buildings, which is also the aim of AeroBarrier. Tim Crump, founder of Oakwrights, the company introducing AeroBarrier to the UK, claimed, “Britain has some of the lowest performing and oldest housing stock in Europe, and there is a real and growing interest in improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.”

Is AeroBarrier suitable for your project?

AeroBarrier is pretty versatile stuff. This means it can be applied to buildings of different types and sizes, making it suitable for both new build projects and retrofitting existing structures. It has already been used across the United States by architects, builders, and homeowners.

While AeroBarrier is highly effective at sealing air leaks, it is necessary to protect surfaces during the application process. The sealant may not adhere easily to vertical surfaces, but it does settle on horizontal surfaces.

As a precaution, windowsills and finished floors should be protected during the application to avoid any undesired contact with the sealant.

How much does AeroBarrier cost?

The cost of AeroBarrier can vary depending on various factors, such as the size and complexity of the building, the region, and specific project requirements. As a result, it is challenging to provide an exact cost without specific details.

Typically, AeroBarrier is priced per square foot of the building envelope that requires air sealing. Other factors that can influence the cost include the building's design, the number of air leaks present, and any additional services or features requested. For instance, if a building has a significant number of air leaks or complex architectural features, it may require more time and material to achieve the desired airtightness, leading to higher costs.

It is best to speak with a qualified AeroBarrier contractor or service provider to get a better idea of cost for your project as they can assess the requirements of your building.

DIY air conditioning hacks are a great way to stay cool and save money. When temperatures are hitting the high 30s and beyond you'll try anything to try and stay cool and avoid the sweltering heat.

If you are looking for quick and cheap alternatives to home air conditioning this summer, there are plenty of simple options to cooling your home, like keeping curtains or blinds closed or opening windows and rooflights at night when it's cooler to purge the house of hot air. Good choices, but for a more instant hit of cold cooling air you want your very own DIY air conditioning unit.

Here we take a look at a simple hack that’s quick to put into operation and cheap to complete. But was it really any good and did it work? We reveal how to put this hack into action and the benefits.

DIY Air Conditioning: What's the Hack?

If you are looking for tips on how to keep your house cool in summer, then this is one hack to try. For this hack you'll need a fan — an oscillating desk fan, the bigger the better, on a short stand is a good choice as it's easy to work with. But it can be used with any fan.
What you’ll need:

• Electric fan
• 3 x recyclable water bottles

1. Fill and freeze water bottles
Get yourself three empty water bottles, ideally recyclable plastic ones you were going to throw away. Fill with water and add a couple of tablespoons of salt. Why? Adding salt lowers the freezing point of water by a few degrees. This effectively means that the frozen water bottles will be slightly colder when in action. Put on the caps and put them in the freezer.

2. Set up in front of fan
Once the water bottles are fully frozen – leaving them overnight is a good option –take out the freezer and set them up in front of your fan. Spread the bottles evenly across the width of the fan and don’t put too close — this will disturb or block the airflow.

Raise up – safely place on a small box, books or similar – so the whole height of the bottle is in front of the fan. The air will hit the frozen water bottles and cool down the air as it passes by.

TOP TIP
Fill up an additional three bottles and keep them in the freezer as backup. When the bottles in use have melted you can do a swap, so you have constant cold air.  

How Did we Rate this Air Conditioning Hack? 

We are never quite sure what to expect from a hack. Some we have tried worked really well; some we have tried have failed completely and don’t work at all. So how did this DIY air condition hack fare? 

It fell somewhere in the middle. It worked about as well as we expected. It definitely won’t replace the real thing, but we say give it a go. Here we take a quick look at the pros and cons.

DIY Air Conditioning Pros?

• Cheap to put into operation
• Can set up in seconds
• Adds extra cooling to a fan

DIY Air Conditioning Cons?

• No temperature control
• Only last three or four hours at a time
• Only lowers the air temperature by a few degrees

DIY Air Conditioning Alternatives: What Are They?

When it comes to alternatives there are a few — some simple, some not so. Here's a couple to try out.

The simple DIY air conditioning alternative
The very simple alternative to the frozen water bottles is a bowl of ice. Get a large bowl of and fill with ice and put (a safe distance) in front of your fan. You will need a steady supply of ice to replace every time it melts.

The not so simple DIY air conditioning alternative
This involves a styrofoam cool box, a couple of dryer vents – or two plastic offset downpipes – and a small fan. On the lid mark the outline of the fan in the middle and the vents/pipe on either side. Not get a serrated knife or small saw and carefully cut out.

Fill the cool box with frozen bottles of water or ice packs, put the lid back on and place the fan and vents/pipes in the cut outs. The fan needs to point down to blow the cold air out the vents. Position the vents/pipes to where you want them to go and enjoy the cold air.

The not DIY at all alternative
If you are keen to keep yourself cool but are not convinced that a DIY option is for you, why not check out some of the best portable air conditioners on the market. These will definitely cost you more, but they will be ready and waiting for  you for the next time temperatures soar.    

If the thought of how to cool down a room in a heatwave makes your brain begin to melt, you're not alone. As soon as the temperature rises it's not uncommon for homeowners to start searching for the nearest air con installer, wishing they'd considered it the last time the sun made an appearance.

The good news is, knowing how to keep a house cool in summer doesn't always have to involve a new piece of kit or an expensive retrofit. There are still quick and easy ways to stop a room getting too hot in the first place, and methods for cooling it down fast.

Whether you're after ways to keep your bedroom cool that don't just involve sleeping naked (although there's no denying that works), or want to avoid your kitchen turning into a sauna, here's our round up of expert tips so you can sit back and chill.

1. Even if you worship the sun, stop it from coming into your rooms

It may sound simple, but there's no denying that this is the number one rule for keeping a room cool without air con. If the sun is shining, as much as you might enjoy seeing the sun's rays beating through your window, one of the best ways to prevent overheating in homes, is simply to close windows, blinds or shutters.

However, you don't always need to have them closed all day. You can manage it more effectively by understanding the orientation of your room, advises Helen O’Connor, Product Manager at 247 Blinds

“During heatwaves, make sure you keep the blinds closed from 10am until 3pm in south-facing rooms. East-facing rooms would benefit from having the blinds closed earlier on in this timeframe as they get the morning sun, while west-facing rooms may get warmer during the late afternoon.”

To get the most out of this method, you could also consider investing in thermal blinds and curtains, or blackout versions. John Lewis has a wide range of blackout blinds, available in wide selection of sizes and colours.

“Thermal curtains are a great all-year-round investment too, as they keep in the warmth in the winter, but block out light and heat in the summer," adds Helen. "During a hot spell, your first reaction might be to open your windows to get fresh air flowing, but this can often lead to heat seeping into your home. Thermal curtains and blinds do a great job of reducing the amount of heat that gets in as well as any cool air escaping, making it easier to maintain a comfortable inside temperature.”

The added bonus of closed blinds and curtains? If you don't want to retrofit fly screens, closed window coverings can also help to keep out flies and pests which can also invade your home during the summer months.

My personal favourite? Window shutters. I've got shutters in my apartment and they are great at keeping out the direct heat, while still letting in enough light and breeze so that I'm not wandering around in the dark all day, or stifling in stale air.

2. Find a fan – and use it correctly, or even fake it for the ultimate hack

Although fans don't actually cool the air in a room in the same way air conditioning does, they do offer a welcoming breeze and can help to keep your body temperature down.

You might think that all that is involved with using a fan is to plug it in then direct it at your face, but that's where you could be going wrong.

In order to get the most out of your new fan, be sure to point your fan so that it wafts air in an upwards direction. The reasoning behind this is that cooler air settles at floor level, while warm air rises – by directing the fan upwards you will bring that air up into the room.

Better still, choose an oscillating fan such as the MeacoFan Sefte Pedestal Fan that turns on both a vertical and horizontal axis, ensuring air flows in all directions.

And, of course, if you're looking for the ultimate fan hack, don't forget to make sure you 'fake it 'til you make it'.

“Sometimes, if feels like nothing will work other than a freezing cold air conditioning unit," says Georgia Metclafe, founder and creative director of The French Bedroom. "Of course, we can’t all have those in our homes, so a handy tip is to pop a bowl of ice cubes in front of your fan to achieve a cool breeze as it circulates the room, faking that air conditioning experience!"

Shop these fans to help cool down a room

3. Harness the power of cross ventilation — it's fast and free

This is a great, free tip that anyone can do, right this minute. Creating a cross breeze in the room you are trying to cool is an easy method of home ventilation that will help to expel the warm air. It can be particularly effective for cooling down a room later in the day as the outside air temperature drops.

So, just how do you create a cross breeze? Simply open the windows on one side of the room in question, then open those on the other side in order to create an air current that swishes across the room, taking muggy warm air with it and expelling it though the opposing window.

If you only have windows on one side of the room, simply open the door or doors on the opposite wall instead and open the window in the next room along.

A top tip for homeowners with sash windows? "Open both the top and lower sections in equal measures as they will draw cooler air in at the bottom and let warm air out via the top," says Beth Murton, editor of Homebuilding & Renovating.

4. Invest in a portable air con unit

Although you may have held off buying a portable air conditioning unit before now, with the effects of global warming suggesting heatwaves will be a regular occurrence in our lives, it might well be the perfect time to put aside some budget and buy one in the next Amazon Prime Day sale on 8-11 July.

Yes, they are more expensive than simple electric fans, but there is a good reason for this. Rather than just wafting warm air around, air conditioning units actively lower the temperature in a room by drawing warm air in, passing it through a compressor then expelling the cooled air.

Look at the BTU rating of units – the higher the BTU (British Thermal Units) the larger the space they can cool. You can then identify whether the unit you are interested in is the right size for your room before purchasing. With good-quality models starting from between £200-£500, buying the wrong one will be an expensive mistake, so make sure you check out the best portable air conditioners before you fork out your cash.

One final thing to remember, a bit like tumble dryers, portable air conditioners must be vented to outdoors through a window or wall, so make sure you have a suitable location for your new room cooling kit.

5. Turn off, switch off and turn down

Although it's easy to leave everything on standby during the day, the reality is, all kinds of electrical appliances, when switched on, give off a little heat.

From the more obvious (ovens and hobs!) to the sneaky culprits, such as televisions on standby and phone chargers, all generate warmth. So, if you want to cool a room down, turn them off. You will save a few pennies in the process too.

And, even though it may seem a little darker with blinds and curtains drawn, it's still important to try and keep your lights switched off where you can. A particular source of heat that we often forget about is table lamps. So, if you want a good night’s sleep, take advantage of the lighter evenings and use a natural source of light to read in order to avoid the heat given off by that bedside lamp.

Changing the type of lightbulb you are using can also cool a room down, so be sure to check you are using ones that don't give off unnecessary heat.

“Conventional incandescent light bulbs generate light quite inefficiently, giving up to 90 percent of their energy as waste heat in the process," explains Matthew Currington, Technical Director of The Lighting Superstore. “LED bulbs will give off less heat as well as saving you money, making them the best investment in your lighting design.”

6. Add external shading to your list of DIY jobs

While not as instant a solution as some of the other tips, investing in an awning or some other form of external window shading is a great idea in an increasingly hot climate.

Retractable awnings are one of our favourite patio cover ideas as they are a really effective way of shading the windows or patio doors to a room from the glare of the sun.

What’s more, unlike more permanent methods of solar control, such as brise soleil, awnings can be folded away when not needed. And, forget about the old-fashioned designs that you might be thinking of – there are some really stylish modern alternatives out there these days which will really add to your patio design scheme.

Other quick and easy option, and one that our editor, Beth Murton is currently considering, is a sail shade, such as this Mokani Sun Sail Shade from Amazon. It can be attached to the exterior of your home and to posts located in your garden. More readily available and quicker to fit, it could also be an easy weekend DIY project if you have the right skills and kit.

7. Cool from above with a continental-style ceiling fan

Although ceiling fans are more often associated with homes in warmer climates and we've all probably enjoyed the breeze from one on holiday, the reality is, it could be a solution in UK homes too. And let's face it, wouldn't it be nice to feel a little like you're on holiday more of the time?

There's a wide range of options to choose from, such as this modern Manhattan Ceiling fan from Argos. Make sure you use a registered electrician to install it and try to choose one that you can control in a number of different ways, as one top tip is to set your ceiling fan to run in reverse (counter clockwise) for maximum results. By doing this, you will find the flow of air is directed downwards as opposed to outwards, giving a more concentrated breeze.

Do remember to turn your fan off when there is no-one in the room however, as fans don’t cool the air, only the people in it.

And finally, while the following tips are more about keeping you cool than the room, desperate times call for double the measures, so try these final few ideas in your bedroom too, says Georgina Metcalfe.

"The head is one of the hottest areas of the body and a firm pillow will allow the heat to disperse easier. It sounds unconventional but popping your pillowcase into the freezer (in a sealable plastic bag so it doesn’t get wet) just before bedtime is a wonderful way to cool down – true bliss!

"Alternatively, fill a hot water bottle with freezing cold ice water to pop inside your pillowcase," suggests Georgina. "It’ll keep your temperature down so you sleep soundly through the night."

If on the other you're designing your home from scratch and want to make sure you don't ever have the need to read advice on how to keep a room cool, it could be worth considering if an air to air heat pump could be an option as they provide you with both heat and cool air. Or, if you've already had a quote for air conditioning, make sure it's in line with our expert guide to air conditioning costs.

Owning one of the best portable air conditioners is a necessity during the warm summer weather. Not only will they help you keep cool, but because they're portable you can easily move them from room to room, and they're generally cheaper than built-in or split systems. 

Whether you need to cool your home office, living room or bedroom, there are portable air conditioners which prevent overheating and provide the long-term cooling efficiency you require. 

Most models will also dehumidify the air and feature impressive energy efficiency, so you won't see a large increase in your energy bills. 

We've assessed the best portable air conditioners available now, which can improve the air quality in your home and keep your home cool. Before you look at the best models on the market, make sure you find out how does a portable air conditioning unit work to check it's right for you.

Best Portable Air Conditioners

A 3-in-1 unit comprising an air conditioner, fan and dehumidifier, the electriQ Ecosilent is essentially like buying three appliances for the price of one. 

It's our top pick for bedroom use because it doesn't take up too much room, cools room sizes up to 20sqm and is super quiet - achieved through a 5-speed DC fan.

It also comes with a Sleep Mode, which turns off operation lights and reduces the fan speed to its quietest setting. And the Smart Cooling Mode lets you adjust the fan speed based on the amount of cooling required for the set temperature. 

It's energy efficient too - it has an A energy rating which means it will cost you less than 12 pence per hour to run. Overall it's very good value for money.

The first thing you may notice about the Delonghi Pinguino PACEX100 Silent is its somewhat surprisingly stylish design (at least compared to the other air con units on this list), sporting a white front with black display inlay. But there's more to this machine than meets the eye. 

It's incredibly energy efficient, with an A++ energy rating (the highest on this list) that won't add significantly to your energy costs. This is because the PAC EX100 Silent uses a natural high efficiency gas, propane R290, which releases no greenhouse emissions.

It's easy to use too, enhanced by an intuitive frontal LED display which gives clear and consistent updates on room temperature. It's great for living spaces and other similar room sizes up to 23sqm.

It's on the premium end of the price scale, but this is a high-quality machine that might just be worth the investment. However, while it's certainly quieter than other machines, it's still notably noisier than the 'silent' product title suggests. 

If you only need a portable air conditioner for personal use, then the JML Chillmax Air is a must-have.

Available for under £50, this small desktop-size unit offers much more than a regular fan. It is equipped with an evaporator that uses water from a 610ml reservoir to create a chilled, moist breeze from several feet away. One fill lasts around 10 hours. 

The antimicrobial sponge filter is resistant to mould and mildew, and you can put it in the dishwasher to clean and sterilise. You could be using this for years with minimal fuss. 

It has a built-in soft-glow LED light for use as a night light. 

The AEG Chillflex Pro is one of the better premium machines around, providing air coverage of room sizes up to 30sqm, making it effective at cooling larger rooms. 

There are three settings to choose from to help you find the ideal conditions for your room, and it runs on sustainable gas for improved energy efficiency (it has an A rating). It also has a dehumidifier mode to remove damp and excess moisture. 

Handily, you can control it via remote control too, so there's no need to leave the comfort of your couch to adjust the settings. And the side handles and wheels make for easy movement and added convenience when you need store it away in the winter.

It's pricey, however, and while this is nitpicking, for the money you might expect slightly wider room cooling coverage. 

The EcoAir Apollo is great for cooling a home office or conservatory, and it comes with dehumidify and sleep modes, three fan speeds and a sleep function. But what sets it apart from the others on this list is that it can also be used as a heater in the winter, making it a very worthwhile investment.

It's advertised as being able to cool down rooms up to 22sqm, although the Amazon blurb suggests it can even be used in rooms up to 30sqm. While its 12,000 BTU (the joint-highest on this list), suggests that this may be possible, it might be better to opt for the AEG Chillflex Pro if you're actively searching for a system to heat larger rooms.

It can be controlled by remote control, and there's a top-mounted LED display which is easy to use. It also offers an air filtration system which improves air quality by reducing dust particles. 

How to Buy The Best Portable Air Conditioner

Consider these factors before you commit to a purchase, as this will help to ensure you buy the best portable air conditioner for your home. 

Room size

Look out for the BTU (this stands for British Thermal Units) of an air con system, as it will tell you how much cool air it will emit. It is a useful way of working out whether or not a particular air conditioner is the right size for your room. 

As a reference point, a machine with 10,000 BTU will cool a room of around 41sqm while a 5,000 BTU unit is suitable for a 14sqm room.

Noise

Portable AC units can be noisy, although not as noisy as built-in machines, but if you want your air con unit to cool your bedroom at night, for example, then you'll want your machine to be quiet. 

Units which generate more than 60dB will be hard to sleep next to. The quieter units generally tend to generate less than 55dB even on the highest speed setting. 

Energy use

The higher a unit's energy efficiency, the less you'll have to pay for using it. Keep a look out for energy ratings and whether a machine runs on sustainable, environmentally-friendly gases to help ensure you find a suitably efficient machine.

How to Set up a Portable Air Conditioner 

Most portable air conditioners tend to come with an installation kit for a fast set-up, and they're often ready to use straight out of the packaging. 

You'll need to set the unit up with the exhaust hose in the correct position, and ideally the exhaust hose should be vented, either through window (the easiest option) or through a hole in the wall or ceiling.

They're not the easiest pieces of kit to install though, especially if you're looking to vent through a wall, but most professional engineers will be able to assist with this.

How to Look After Your Portable Air Conditioner

To ensure your machine's longevity it's advised to empty the water collected inside a bucket in the machine every few weeks. This builds up because air conditioners typically produce water when cooling down a room. 

It's also important to regularly clean the filters, which pick up a lot of microfibres and dust and can get stuck in the unit. If the filters are too clogged, the unit won't cool as efficiently. 

How We're Testing the Best Portable Air Conditioners

There's a lot to consider when buying one of the best portable air conditioners, and the Homebuilding & Renovating team is getting hands-on experience with the products in this buying guide to help you feel confident in choosing the right product for you. 

In our ongoing independent reviews we are testing the cooling power and how a model fares in varying room sizes to gauge each product’s efficacy, and assessing key factors including minimum noise level and value for money. We’re also reviewing everything in-between from included features, such as remote controls, to which households will most benefit from buying a specific portable air conditioner. 

Our team is passionate about DIY and home improvement (which probably won’t be a surprise) so we already have detailed knowledge about the brands that make these products. Moreover, we have taken into account user reviews when compiling this buying guide, and gleaned key information from our sister sites such as Real Homes and Ideal Home to help you find the best portable air conditioner for your home.

If you’re debating heat pumps vs air conditioners for your house then it’s important to understand the differences, and similarities, between the systems. The systems are more similar than you might think: some heat pumps can cool homes and some air conditioners can provide heating.

Air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps are growing in popularity as a low-carbon heating alternative but heat pumps are not a new technology. Since the 1940s when American inventor Robert C Webber noted that heat was being rejected on cooling systems, heat pumps have been used to deliver heat to homes. The technology has improved since then and our understanding of how they work has dramatically increased. 

Meanwhile most of us are familiar with air conditioning in our workplaces, in our cars and also in hotels and many shops. And while we usually anticipate cooling from air conditioning, air conditioners are often now able to heat as well. 

Here’s what you need to know about how both systems work, and how to know which is the most effective option for your home’s requirements.

Can Air Conditioners Heat a Home?

Air conditioning units work by passing warm air over pipes or plates that have very cold refrigerant in them. The cold refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air and cools it, delivering the waste heat to the outside of the property.

They have a high turnover of air and the air can cycle through a unit many times, slowly decreasing in temperature each time it goes through. Humidity is also released from the air in the heat exchanger (the part of the air conditioner that extracts the heat from the air passing through it) and the air conditioning unit will have a built-in condensation pump to remove the water. 

But some air conditioners which use a reverse cycle take low grade heat from the air in the room and enhance it before returning it to the air in the room. The resultant cooling is then rejected via the outdoor fan unit, meaning only the heat travels through the air.

Both air conditioners and heat pumps are classed as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, and air conditioners are often referred to as air to air heat pumps. While they operate in the same way to air source heat pumps, they function the other way round when providing heating.

Can Heat Pumps Cool a Home?

Perhaps the first consideration to address before answering this question is to examine the different types of heat pumps. 

In a wet central heating system, such as radiators or underfloor heating, heat is given up to water. This is the case with air to water heat pumps, commonly known as air source heat pumps. But if the heat pump gets its heat from the ground then this would be a ground to water heat pump, also known as a ground source heat pump.

The real difference between air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps is the heat exchangers, which ultimately is the unit's ability to deliver heat (or cooling) to the home. 

At the heart of each heat pump is a vapour compression cycle, often referred to as the refrigerant cycle. Low grade heat is absorbed by very cold refrigerant liquid which then ‘boils’ and becomes a gas. This ‘boiling point’ of the refrigerant in many heat pumps and air conditioning units is very often around -50°C which means that even outside air temperatures of -10°C will still ‘boil’ it. 

Once it is a gas, the refrigerant passes into the compressor, and as pressure is applied to the gas it increases in temperature. The ‘hot gas’ now passes into another heat exchanger and heat is given up to the heating system as useful heat. 

This vapour compression cycle is exactly the same as the one found in our fridges at home, or our air conditioners at work or in the car. The only difference is that we use the cooling as the useful element and the heat is rejected. You might say that the system is in reverse, so if you wanted to add a heat pump to your home, it is simply a case of working out whether you want the useful element to be cooling or heating.

Which System is Cheaper?

Air source heat pumps can cost up to £14,000 to install, while ground source heat pumps cost up to £15,000 depending on size and brand. And while heat pump grants exist to reduce these costs, it is still a significant outlay despite the potential to enjoy lower long-term energy costs. 

Installing an air conditioning system costs around £1,200 per room, and installing the refrigerant pipes between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit can be a lot less disruptive than water-based central heating, as the pipes are only around 28mm diameter including the insulation. Air conditioning as a heating solution can indeed work, but you will need to think about how you intend to deliver your hot water.

Which Systems Provide Simultaneous Cooling and Heating?

An air source heat pump can offer cooling and an air to air heat pump (air conditioning unit) can offer heating, but there are a number of caveats. Significantly, the efficacy of each process does not deliver the same results in both technologies. 

So why can’t we have a system with both types of heat exchangers: air to air and air to water? Well, you can! It is known as Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF), Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) or Time Division Multi (TDM), depending on which manufacturer you choose. 

These units are effectively air conditioning units with an additional ‘hydrobox’ which allows for the heat to be transferred to water. You therefore have air to air and air to water in one unit. The simpler versions of these units can only do heating or cooling at one time but some manufactures have 3-pipe (or ‘heat recovery’) versions that allow heating and cooling at the same time. You can therefore have cooling in the bedroom while you heat your hot water. 

These types of 3-pipe heat recovery systems have been installed in many hotels nationwide and we are now seeing smaller systems entering the market that would be suitable for many domestic homes. 

As they are not true heat pumps as defined by the UK industry they are not currently eligible for any incentives under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. But given that you now can have heating and cooling (both as useful energy) in one single system, maybe grant incentives are less enticing considering the energy benefits. 

Which is the More Effective Heater?

The heating process in an air source heat pump and air conditioner is very similar, but the key difference is that an air source heat pump delivers heat to water. 

Water has the capacity to hold more than four times more energy in the same volume as that of air, which makes the distribution of heat a lot simpler. Moreover, you will not experience the noise of the air movement that is often associated with air conditioning units. 

An air source heat pump also has the ability to heat the water in the central heating system as well as the water required for bathing, showering and washing. 

Many homeowners do use air conditioners as their primary heating systems, but make sure you are happy with the associated air movement and the way the heat is distributed. Ducted air to air heat pump systems can be used to mitigate the noise impact from the fans but air movement on its own can also have associated sounds.

Which is the More Effective Cooling Option?

Due to the condensation risk on emitters and system pipework it is not often advised to add cooling to existing central heating systems, but with careful planning plus good insulation and installation details on a new system, the background cooling could be a welcome bonus on hot summer days. 

For really effective cooling there is no replacement for proper air conditioning. But if you want cooling from an air source heat pump you will need a model that can operate in reverse. You will need to find out from the manufacturer if a particular model can offer a reverse cooling function as not all models from all manufacturers have this functionality. 

You might also need to install fan convector radiators that are designed for cooling - these allow small fans to blow air over the heat exchanger, and will therefore require more power. Standard radiators and underfloor heating will rely on convection to cool the air which can be a very slow cooling process. 

If you drop the temperature of the water in your radiators or underfloor heating below 17°C then run the risk of condensation forming on the surface of the emitter. At best this will leave a puddle under the radiator, but at worst the puddle could damage the floor below; the condensation could cause excessive corrosion on the emitter or building fabric; or you could have wet patches on floors that might deteriorate the flooring materials or leave a slip hazard. 

The other issue is that the water in a heat pump will not usually be any cooler than 15°C, which may not offer much cooling without air movement. Similarly, air conditioning systems will not target temperatures cooler than 15°C but they deliver cooling with a high turnover of air. 

At best the cooling effect from an air source heat pump in standard emitters is only tempering the temperature in the air.

Content supplied by Mitsubishi Electric 

There’s no doubt that the weather is always a hot topic of conversation in the UK as is its impact on our homes.  

Periods of intense heat can quickly shift to a fresh, cooler climate making it difficult to keep converted lofts, basements and other living spaces comfortable. And as more of us than ever before are working from home, a comfortable environment all year round is becoming a priority.

Installing air conditioning units can provide real benefits to cool (and heat) your home. Here are five reasons to choose one.

1. Ideal for Cooling and Heating

Air conditioning units don’t just cool a room, they can heat it too. As dual-purpose units can do both they can keep rooms at a constant ambient temperature throughout the day and through the seasons. This makes them ideal for hot areas, such as large glass-sided rooms, conservatories and gyms — a cool gentle breeze or a boost of warmth when needed. 

2. Energy Efficient and Quiet

Creating the perfect working and sleeping atmosphere, many air conditioning units are surprisingly quiet and energy efficient, delivering up to A+++ energy efficiencies. They have consistent, low noise levels, providing constant comfort, day and night.

3. Cleaner Air Indoors

These air conditioning units can filter the air to provide cleaner, fresher air inside your home. Offering state-of-the-art filtration, the units can neutralise pollutants such as pollen, dust, pet fur, mould, viruses, bacteria and other microscopic irritants down to PM2.5, improving indoor air quality for the whole household. 

4. Floor or Wall Mounted Designs

Gone are the days of only being able to choose bulky white units. Ranges now include streamlined models that can be wall or floor mounted to fit in with your decor, with colours like red and black available, too. 

5. Low-cost Cooling

There is an air conditioning unit for almost any budget. Low power consumption equals lower running costs with models that are easy to operate, are Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

To find out more about its range of home air conditioning units, visit the Mitsubishi Electric website.

* Derived from and subject to test results, for and on behalf of Mitsubishi Electric, conducted at the Microbial Testing Laboratory, Japan Textile Quality and Technology Center, Kobe, Japan.

Although we are increasingly designing new build homes that take into account better heating and ventilation methods, rising temperatures during the summer months are bringing the need for air conditioning front of mind as well.

Incorporating an air conditioning system into your home can provide you with a more permanent way to deal with the increasing amount of heatwaves, but will also add to the electrical load and potentially increase bills.

And while fans were once sufficient to cool homes in the UK, hot air being blown around may not be enough of a fix, meaning there's also an increased need for portable air conditioning units too.

So what are your options and which system will be right for you? Energy expert, David Hilton explains what to consider if you're making the decision to add air conditioning to your home.

Choosing an air con system

Air conditioning is not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are a number of different types of air conditioning from portable units to fully integrated units that cover the whole home.

Deciding which one to choose will depend on if you are specifying a system for a new build, retro-fitting or simply looking for a solution you bring out during the hotter months and store away in winter.

However, air conditioning costs can also mount up, so two things are important when choosing an air conditioning system: Brand quality and installer experience. It is true that you get what you pay for and you really want to invest in a good product and get an installer who is familiar with the nuances of that particular product.

Speak with local installers and also check the approved installer lists of bigger brands and speak with them. Always try and get references and then speak with others who have already installed products similar to the ones that you want.

Other features you may want to consider include:

• Wifi / smart control: An air conditioning system that has connectivity to other systems is useful. You don’t want an air condition system to cool the room only for the heating system to turn on and heat it back up again. It may also be worth also having the ability to control the ventilation system as well so that there is also no conflict with the summer bypass modes. Many brands of air conditioning can be controlled from third party home automation systems so if you have one then make sure you choose a compatible brand. It is also helpful to have an app if you want to activate the air conditioning before you get home or if you happen to for get that you left it on and need to turn it off.
• Dehumidifier: Air conditioning units do act as types of dehumidifiers. When air is cooled the water vapour in the air condenses and is no longer in the air, thus lowering the humidity.
• Heating: Most split type air conditioning units can be used as a heater as well but not all portable units will be able to offer this function.

In this guide we'll take a look at the pros and cons of the main options available to you: portable air conditioning units, fixed systems and air to air heat pumps.

Portable air conditioning: pros and cons

As a short-term solution, and potentially the simplest choice, you could consider the best portable air conditioning units. Unlike fans which simply move air around, air conditioning units generate cool air.

Around the same size as a kitchen bin, if you understand how portable air conditioners work, you'll know they are plugged into a wall socket but do however usually need to be located near a window as they are externally vented via a flexible duct. You will also require a container to capture the condensation produced.

The most effective units are refrigerant-based air conditioning units such as the Olsen & Smith 7000 3-in1 Portable Air Conditioning Unit from Amazon, as they are more suited to the UK climate. Evaporative coolers use less energy than refrigerant-based coolers as they work on the principle of blowing air through a fine ‘curtain’ of water that then evaporates and introduces a cooling effect.

However, they need to have a supply of dry air and the resultant ‘moist’ air needs to be exhausted at the opposite end of the room. This is ideal in hot, dry climates such as Australia but in the UK the humidity levels can be too high, and cross ventilation too impractical for any actual cooling.

Pros and cons — portable air conditioning units

The main benefit of a portable air conditioning unit over a fixed whole home system is that it can be easily moved from room to room, used when and where necessary, and with far less expense than installing an air conditioning system.

Another positive is that many units also work as heaters and dehumidifiers too, giving them increased versatility and saving you the need to find somewhere for them in your loft storage. Instead, you can switch the mode to help reduce the risk of condensation and mould in your home once the colder months are in full flow.

However, portable systems tend to generate more air conditioning noise than installed units. You'll also need to keep the window open in order to vent the resultant heat, which can be a security risk and may result in disturbed sleep due to potential noise.

And, if you're keen to keep a lid on your energy bills, you'll need to work out how much it costs to run a portable air conditioner in order to make sure you are comfortable in accommodating the extra costs each summer. Although combining use of a portable system with the best ways to cool a room can help to keep your costs in check.

Shop portable air conditioning units

Fixed air conditioning: pros and cons

While you can pick up a portable air con unit at a store or online and set it up yourself, installing air conditioning on the other hand needs to be done by a registered gas engineer.

In split systems, there is a fan unit that is located outdoors and is connected via copper pipework and electrical connections to an indoor unit that delivers the cool air. However, it is possible to run more than one indoor unit using just one external unit. The indoor unit can take a number of different forms:

• A high wall bulk-head unit is a bulk-head that is mounted on the wall and is about the size of a couple of shoe boxes
• Low wall units that look similar to standard radiators
• Ceiling cassettes which can be mounted in the ceiling in a central area of the room
• Discreet slim-ducted units that can be positioned in the ceiling or housed in grilled boxes above cupboards or near doors (similar to ones you may have seen in hotels)

Ducted systems (more suitable for a self build as they can be installed during the build) can also direct the air to more than one outlet through a number of ducts, with separate dampers in each duct for individual room control. These ducts must be insulated to avoid condensation.

Pros and cons of fixed air conditioning

Split air conditioning systems cost more to install than portable units and also cannot be moved around. Plus the fact they are installed means if you are retrofitting, you need to take into account the potential disruption.

A multi split system however could provide cooling across more than one room, avoiding the need to purchase multiple portable air conditioning units or air coolers (a cheaper alternative).

There are also usually more powerful, do not need the window to be open with a big duct through them and can often do cooling and heating, sometimes even simultaneously.

In larger properties and commercial buildings you can also use Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems that can have more than 10 indoor units connected to them. Some also have the option of adding a hydrobox so that the system can operate as an air-to-water heat pump, heating the hot water for showers and washing, as well as providing central heating through underfloor heating or convection radiators. Some brands have also introduced ‘heat recovery’ systems to the VRF units so that you can then cool your room and heat your water with the resultant heat.

However, with any type of ducted system, installing them during a self build project or a major renovation is the best option instead of in a newly completed home.

Air to air systems: pros and cons

Systems designed and used mainly for heating are often referred to as air-to-air heat pumps and they should have an option to reverse the refrigeration cycle if cooling is required. The vapour compression cycle still offers over 300% efficiency and so it is a far more efficient form of heating than direct electric. It is also far less disruptive to install on a retrofit basis.

Air-to-air systems are very often installed as secondary heating systems. Air has the specific heat capacity of one, whereas denser products have higher specific heat capacity and store up to around four times more heat. Air can therefore heat up and cool down far quicker with the same amount of energy transfer, and heating systems that target the air can have a far quicker reaction time.

The primary heating system may be connected to underfloor heating, which is slow to react, so an air-to-air system can boost the air temperature by a few degrees on demand. As such, this may also be a valuable feature in homes where certain rooms are used only occasionally, or there is a home office for example, that needs heat during the day, while the rest of the rooms stay unused..

Pros and cons of air to air systems

Air to air systems offer a more efficient form of cooling and heating than direct electric. They are less disruptive to install on a retrofit basis and particularly useful for homes where rooms are only used occasionally.

However, you will also want to be considering changes to your heating at the same time to maximise on what this type of system offers.

FAQs

Can MVHR provide cooling?

MVHR (mechanical ventilation heat recovery) systems are not primarily air conditioning units – they are designed to be ventilation systems.

However, some MVHR units do have a micro compressor and reversible heat pump to add heating or cooling to the incoming air. These units only operate at around half an air change per hour, with the fresh air always starting at ambient outdoor temperature.

This means that heating or cooling is only usually enough to maintain the temperature in the home rather than actively create temperature change or to serve as the primary heating or cooling system.

Proper air conditioning, on the other hand, recirculates the internal air at a faster rate to facilitate the change in temperature.

Where will I need to put the outdoor unit?

Air conditioning systems have a maximum pipe length that can be used between the indoor and outdoor unit. If you have more than one indoor unit you will have two critical lengths to be aware of. There is a maximum length between the outdoor unit and any indoor unit and there is also a maximum overall pipe length.

For example, you might have a multi-split air conditioning system with 5 indoor units and there could be a maximum individual pipe length of 25 metres but the overall maximum pipe length is only 75 metres. Therefore, if 4 of the indoor units needed 20 metres of pipe you would not be able to use this product. These capabilities change from manufacturer to manufacturer so make sure you choose carefully.

Do air con systems need a lot of maintenance?

Air conditioning systems often require annual servicing to check the refrigerant levels, filters and make sure there have been no leaks. Filters need to be cleaned and any air paths and heat exchangers kept clean. A visual inspection of the pipework and insulations, and the structural integrity of the physical unit and any electrical connections, is also a good idea.

Small portable systems do not need servicing other than checking any filters and condensate drains for blockages and a visual check of the unit to make sure there is no structural damage or electrical faults.

Once you've decided on the best air conditioning for your home, make sure you're also aware of these air conditioning mistakes so you can truly get the best out of your cooling system. Or, if you're still at the design stage, make sure you also understand how to prevent overheating so that you employ as many techniques as possible to keeping the temperature down inside when the mercury rises outside.

Content provided by Mitsubishi Electric

There’s no doubt that the weather is always a hot topic of conversation in the UK as is its impact on our homes.  

Periods of intense heat can quickly shift to a fresh, cooler climate making it difficult to keep converted lofts, basements and other living spaces comfortable. And as more of us than ever before are working from home, a comfortable environment all year round is now essential.

Here's how an air conditioning unit can help...

1. Ideal for Cooling and Heating

Mitsubishi Electric’s M Series air conditioning units don’t just cool a room, they can also heat it. The units keep rooms at a constant ambient temperature throughout the day and through the seasons.

Ideal for hot areas, such as large glass-sided rooms, conservatories and gyms, air conditioners ensure every space stays at an optimum temperature all year round thanks to a cool gentle breeze or a boost of warmth. 

2. Energy Efficient and Quiet

Creating the perfect working and sleeping atmosphere, the M Series air conditioning units are surprisingly quiet and energy efficient, delivering up to A+++ energy efficiencies. They have consistent, low noise levels, providing constant comfort, day and night.

3. Fresher Air Indoors

These air conditioning units can filter the air to provide cleaner, fresher air inside your home. Offering state-of-the-art filtration, the units can neutralise pollutants such as pollen, dust, pet fur, mould, viruses, bacteria and other microscopic irritants down to PM2.5, improving indoor air quality for the whole household. 

4. Floor or Wall Mounted Designs

You can choose streamlined models that can be wall or floor mounted to fit in with your decor. The M Series Premium range is available in a variety of colours, like Ruby Red and Onyx Black, too. 

To help homeowners choose the perfect wall or floor mounted unit, Mitsubishi Electric has developed the MEView3d app which lets you see the units in situ.

5. Low-cost Cooling

There is an air conditioning unit for almost all budgets. Low power consumption equals lower running costs with models that are easy to operate, are Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

To find out more about its range of home air conditioning units, visit the Mitsubishi Electric website.