Buying advice
Alternatives to air conditioning
Air conditioning is the most effective way to cool a room — but it isn't the only option, and it isn't always the cheapest to run. Here's an honest look at the alternatives for a UK home, and when each one makes sense.
The quick comparison
| Option | Upfront cost | Running cost | Cooling power | Install? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric fan | £15–£150 | Very low | Low (moves air) | No |
| Evaporative cooler | £60–£250 | Low | Low–medium | No |
| Dehumidifier | £120–£350 | Medium | Comfort, not cooling | No |
| Portable AC | £250–£600 | Medium–high | Medium | No (vent hose) |
| Split-system AC | £900–£2,500+ | Low–medium | High | Yes (F-Gas engineer) |
| Air-to-air heat pump | £1,500–£3,500+ | Low | High (heats too) | Yes |
1. Fans — cheapest and often enough
A good tower or pedestal fan doesn't lower the temperature, but moving air over your skin makes a room feel several degrees cooler. For many UK homes, where genuinely hot spells are short, a fan plus good ventilation is all you need. Bladeless and "air circulator" fans are quieter and better for bedrooms.
2. Evaporative coolers — best in dry heat
Evaporative ("swamp") coolers pull air through a wet pad. They work brilliantly in dry climates but far less well in humid UK weather, when the air is already moisture-laden. Worth considering for a dry, well-ventilated space — less so for a muggy heatwave.
3. Dehumidifiers — comfort without cooling
Much of the discomfort in a UK summer is humidity, not raw heat. A dehumidifier won't drop the temperature, but drier air feels cooler and helps you sleep. It doubles as a year-round tool for damp and laundry drying, which makes it one of the better-value buys.
4. Split-system air conditioning — the serious option
If you want reliable, quiet, efficient cooling for a room you use a lot, a fixed split system beats a portable on every measure except installation. It needs an F-Gas registered engineer to fit, but running costs are lower and most units heat as well as cool.
5. Air-to-air heat pumps — cool in summer, heat in winter
An air-to-air heat pump is essentially a high-efficiency air conditioner that also heats your home in winter — often cheaper to run than gas. It's the only cooling-capable technology that may attract a UK government grant (see our grants guide), though that specific route isn't fully live yet.
6. Free wins: shade, ventilation and insulation
Before you buy anything, the cheapest cooling is stopping heat getting in: close blinds and curtains on sunny sides during the day, open windows for a cross-breeze after dark, add external shading or reflective film to south-facing glass, and don't underestimate loft insulation — it keeps heat out in summer as well as in during winter.
Our take
For a short heatwave, start with a fan and good ventilation. If you cool the same room every year, a portable AC or — better — a split system pays off. If you're also thinking about heating and running costs, an air-to-air heat pump is the long game.