A report from the government’s official climate advisers has confirmed what many of us in the HVAC industry have known for years: air conditioning in England is no longer a lifestyle choice. It’s fast becoming essential infrastructure.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned that 92% of UK homes are likely to overheat by 2050, and that air conditioning will be unavoidable in the years ahead, particularly for vulnerable people in hospitals, care homes, and residential properties. The report represents a major shift in the official stance, which previously cautioned against widespread AC adoption due to energy and environmental concerns.
“Air conditioning is going to be essential, particularly in places where we have vulnerable people like hospitals and care homes.” Baroness Brown, Chair, Climate Change Committee (via Sky News, May 2026)
What the Data Actually Says
The CCC’s report paints a stark picture of what’s coming for the UK climate. These aren’t speculative projections. They’re evidence-based forecasts from the body that advises Parliament on meeting the UK’s own net zero targets. By 2050, 92% of homes are expected to overheat, yet fewer than 5% currently have any form of air conditioning. The UK also recorded temperatures above 40°C for the first time in 2022, a threshold that would have been unthinkable a generation ago.
Our building stock wasn’t designed for heat. British homes are engineered to retain warmth, which is brilliant in January but deeply uncomfortable in a 35-degree July. Add the urban heat island effect that bakes cities like Liverpool, and it becomes clear why demand for cooling is rising sharply year on year.
What This Means for Liverpool and Merseyside
The north west isn’t immune. While the most extreme projections focus on southern England and the Midlands, Liverpool and Merseyside are already experiencing hotter, longer summers than even a decade ago. Commercial premises, schools, offices, and residential properties across the region are increasingly struggling through the summer months without adequate cooling.
We’re already seeing this in the enquiries we receive. Demand for air conditioning installation in Liverpool has grown significantly, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. Whether it’s a split system for a bedroom, a multi-zone setup for an office, or a full VRF installation for a commercial building, the conversation has shifted from “do I need it?” to “what’s the right solution for me?”
Doing It Right: Efficiency and Sustainability
The environmental concern raised in the report is a fair one. Poorly specified or ageing systems do use more energy and rely on refrigerants that carry a global warming potential. That’s precisely why it matters who installs your system and how it’s maintained.
At NOTECH, we’re F-Gas certified and hold MCS accreditation, meaning every installation we carry out meets current regulations on refrigerant handling and efficiency standards. Modern inverter-driven systems are dramatically more efficient than older units, and when properly sized for the space, they consume far less energy than most people expect. We’ll always advise on the most sustainable solution for your specific requirements.
Get Ahead of the Demand
If the CCC’s report tells us anything, it’s that the question of air conditioning for UK homes and businesses is no longer if, it’s when. Getting the right system specified, installed correctly, and maintained properly will matter more as temperatures rise and the market grows.
NOTECH HVAC are Liverpool’s trusted air conditioning specialists. Whether you’re looking to install for the first time or upgrade an existing system, our team is available 24/7 to advise and quote. We serve residential and commercial customers across Liverpool and the wider Merseyside region.
Source: This article references reporting by Sky News, “Air conditioning will become ‘unavoidable’ in parts of England as summer heat becomes unbearable” (May 2026), based on findings from the Climate Change Committee’s 2026 progress report to Parliament.