Air conditioning, once considered an extravagant luxury, is increasingly becoming a must-have for homeowners, particularly in the higher end of the market. But as we become more environmentally conscious, the question arises: can we reconcile the desire for a cool home with a commitment to sustainable living?
The Rise of Air Conditioning
A report by the International Energy Agency suggests that demand for air conditioning will surpass central heating by 2050, driven by global warming and expanding middle-class populations. This trend isn’t limited to traditionally hot climates. Even in the UK, attitudes are shifting. Laura Powell from Calibre Climate, a luxury air conditioning supplier, notes that more homebuyers are now considering air conditioning a necessity, and developers are installing it as a standard feature in new builds.
Traditionally, the British have adopted a stoic approach to heatwaves, perhaps deterred by the perceived expense and disruption of installing air conditioning. Concerns about noise, aesthetics, and environmental impact have also played a role. However, with heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense, the benefits of air conditioning – especially for a good night’s sleep in urban environments where heat is trapped – are becoming increasingly apparent.
Lucy-Anne Price, who recently installed air conditioning in her Victorian house in Balham after experiencing its benefits while living in Singapore, admits she was initially sceptical. She imagined noisy and unsightly units, but was pleasantly surprised by how discreet and effective the system is. “The house doesn’t only feel better when it’s very hot, but all summer long,” she says.
The Modern Air Conditioning System
Air conditioning technology has advanced significantly in recent years, particularly in the luxury residential sector. Companies like Calibre Climate offer sophisticated systems designed to be whisper-quiet and virtually invisible.
Shannon Church of Calibre Climate explains that poorly designed systems can detract from a home’s aesthetic with visible access hatches, grilles, or wall-mounted boxes. However, their systems are concealed within bespoke joinery, shadow gap details, floating or coffered ceilings, and custom cornice detailing. The aim is to seamlessly integrate the air conditioning into any interior style, from neo-Classical to industrial.
Modern systems also offer a high degree of customisation. Homeowners can specify room temperature and air quality, creating tailored climates in different areas of the house, such as wine cellars, gyms, swimming pools, or rooms housing valuable artwork. Features such as fragranced cool air with essential oils like eucalyptus in spa areas or lavender and chamomile in bedrooms for restful sleep are becoming increasingly popular. Companies like Viveur also offer air purification systems for children’s bedrooms and nurseries.
Environmental Impact and Sustainable Solutions
While air conditioning offers considerable comfort, its environmental impact is a serious concern. Air conditioning systems consume significant amounts of energy, increasing electricity bills and contributing to global warming. They also use refrigerants, which are greenhouse gases with a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide. Air conditioning currently accounts for approximately 13% of global electricity consumption.
However, steps are being taken to mitigate these negative effects. Powell argues that air conditioning can be environmentally friendly if powered by renewable energy sources. Many of Calibre Climate’s clients use renewables or install dedicated solar power or geothermal heat pump air conditioners.
Manufacturers are also transitioning away from refrigerants with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have a high global warming potential, to more environmentally friendly alternatives like R290 (propane). R290 is far less damaging if leaked into the atmosphere and is more energy efficient. Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), a sustainable refrigerant used in cars, is also being considered for residential systems. Hybrid systems, which combine traditional air conditioning with heat transfer technologies, are another option. This technology transfers excess heat from cooled rooms into hot water cylinders for showers, baths, and pool heating, improving overall efficiency.
The sustainability of an air conditioning system is also heavily influenced by the building’s insulation. Better insulation reduces the energy required to maintain a comfortable temperature. Calibre Climate finds that new-build properties are the easiest to equip, as air conditioning considerations can be integrated from the outset. Powell emphasizes the importance of planning for a quiet, discreet, and sustainable system from the beginning. Integrating air conditioning with a home automation system that controls temperature and ventilation further enhances sustainability and allows for centralised control, avoiding cluttered walls with multiple switches.
Retrofitting Air Conditioning in Older Buildings
Successfully integrating air conditioning into older buildings is also possible. Mélie Dunod, founder and CEO of August Collection, specialises in discreetly incorporating air conditioning into Provençal farmhouses and Tuscan villas, a key consideration for their clientele, particularly those from the US.
Retrofitting is a significant part of Calibre Climate’s business. They recently installed air conditioning in a period apartment in central London, concealing it above listed cabinetry to maintain the building’s historical character.
Most residential air conditioning installations require planning permission, especially in conservation areas or listed buildings. As boroughs have varying planning requirements, Calibre Climate offers a planning application advisory package to help clients navigate the process and select the most appropriate locations, specifications, and noise management strategies. Noise impact and external aesthetics are the primary planning concerns. Addressing these effectively greatly increases the likelihood of approval.
While many clients desire whole-house air conditioning, it can also be installed in specific rooms. Calibre Climate’s basic systems start at around £3,000 per room for a wall-mounted unit, while entry-level ducted systems with visible grilles start at £6,000. Hidden, ultra-quiet systems start at £10,000.
Alternative Cooling Methods
Of course, there are more affordable ways to cool a home. Portable air conditioning units are readily available, although they require an extraction tube venting out of a window. Dunod also incorporates ceiling fans in her properties to improve air circulation and reduce the need for air conditioning.
The Energy Saving Trust recommends using windows strategically to create cross-drafts during heatwaves. This includes keeping loft windows open to release trapped heat, opening both the top and bottom of sash windows to encourage air circulation, and opening windows on opposite sides of the house to release warm air and allow cooler air in during the coolest hours of the night and early morning.
Despite the availability of these alternative methods, the Prices, who invested approximately £35,000 in installing air conditioning in their home, are pleased with their decision. “We used to dread July and August as the house was so stuffy, but now we enjoy summer in the city,” she says. “Air conditioning is a big investment, particularly when we don’t even run it for most of the year, but it feels good to have future-proofed our home.”
