What Aircon Alternatives are Available in the UK?

Once considered a luxury, cooling is becoming a necessity as the UK climate shifts. According to the Met Office’s latest State of the UK Climate report, 2025 was officially the hottest summer on record for the UK, with Faversham in Kent recording a peak temperature of 35.8°C.

This extreme heat has exposed the vulnerability of our housing stock. A landmark study from the University of East London (UEL) revealed that 80% of UK households now report suffering from overheating during the summer months — a staggering rise from just 18% in 2011.

With so many aircon options available, which is best? It’s important to consider a few different factors before taking the plunge and choosing a temperature control alternative for your home or office, as temperature can play a major role in productivity and comfort.

Advantages and disadvantages of aircon in the UK

Traditional aircon has plenty of advantages, the main one being that you can guarantee a cool, constant temperature all year round. However, they can be expensive.

Standard portable aircon units now typically range from £250 to £600, with high-performance, 'silent' models often exceeding £700.

For those seeking a permanent solution, a basic single-room split system air conditioning unit, professionally installed, costs approximately £1,500 and upwards. However, for more comprehensive cooling, larger multi-split systems or ducted air conditioning for entire properties represent a more significant investment, with prices in frequently running from £5,000 to £10,000+ depending on the number of rooms and the complexity of the pipework, our research found.

New build offices can have an air-conditioning system installed for somewhere around £2,000. This will give a much better temperature control system but attempting to retrofit an aircon system into an older building can cost significantly more.

In effect, aircon in the UK is expensive—especially when you consider that for much of the year it will be left turned off. Fortunately, there are several cost-effective aircon alternatives on the market.

Solar films can improve heat control in any domestic or commercial building

Solar window film is a protective layer attached to windows on residential homes, office buildings and commercial properties. There are different solar films available for different glazing types, meaning that they are versatile and can be used on most windows in most environments.

Solar films offer greater heat control, durability and long-lasting effect. It is a much more cost-effective way to ensure rooms do not get too hot, even when in direct sunlight. It costs around £20 to buy film for a dual-pane 900mm x 1200mm window.

It is also possible to install window film without professional help, but it is recommended that you seek a professional to ensure that the installation is successful and lasts as long as possible.

Standing fans will keep air moving, but won’t cool a room

There is a popular myth that littering fans around a room will ensure a cooler temperature on hot summer days. However, fans simply push the air around a room creating a windchill effect over the skin.

Powerful fans are great when directed at people or desks, but have a limited effect beyond their initial target. They also have a significant financial drawback if you opt for powerful fans. While it is possible to pick up personal fans for less than £50 in most supermarkets, powerful fans for commercial use can set you back upwards of £400.

If you opt for a fan, be sure that it suits the space you intend to keep cool. Large rooms will need several standing fans in key points to ensure that air is moved around the room in an effective manner. It is worth looking at commercial providers if buying in bulk, as many will offer financing options.

Aircon hire in the UK

Because the weather in UK may mean you don’t need an air-conditioning unit all year round, it may be worth looking at hiring a powerful aircon system for those particularly muggy summer months.

You can hire aircon units and avoid the sizeable costs of installing fixed units, potentially saving money depending on the amount of use you require. Aircon units can be hired in the UK for anywhere between £47 and £1,000 a week from companies such as The Air Conditioning Company.

Which aircon alternative is best in the UK?

Aircon units are expensive and UK offices and homes do not require them all of the time, and so it is worth looking at the alternatives on the market.

Mini Air Conditioners: For personal use at a desk or bedside, compact evaporative coolers are a budget-friendly choice, typically costing between £30 and £100. These work best in dry heat using ice or chilled water.

Universal Window Kits: Efficiency is key. Using a £20 universal window seal kit with your portable AC unit prevents warm air from leaking back inside, improving cooling efficiency by up to 30%.

Passive Cooling Hacks: Before turning on the power, utilize 'dark cooling' by keeping blackout blinds or thermal curtains closed during the day. Placing a large bowl of ice directly in front of a standard fan can also provide a temporary chilled breeze.

The Insulation Paradox: While often associated with winter, high-quality loft and wall insulation is one of the best non-AC investments. It acts as a thermal barrier, slowing the transfer of solar heat into your home during peak daylight hours.

Operational costs are a major consideration given current energy prices. Based on the latest electricity price caps, a typical portable air conditioning unit (drawing approx. 1kW to 2kW) costs between 21p and £1.03 per hour to run. To minimise costs, you may wish to look for units with a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating and use programmable timers to avoid cooling empty rooms.

Whether purchasing a temporary aircon unit or multiple fans, it is worth considering financing options and looking into hiring options as well. Retrofitting aircon is an expensive process but may save you thousands in the long-run as you avoid needing to hire units each summer.