Historically, air conditioning (AC) was rare in UK homes because the temperate climate rarely required it; however, in 2026, this is rapidly changing. While over 85% of UK residential properties still lack fixed AC units, the market for air-source heat pumps (which provide both heating and cooling) has exploded due to 2026 government net-zero mandates. Most modern office buildings, supermarkets, hotels, and public transport (like newer London Underground lines) are fully air-conditioned. In the domestic sector, the UK’s aging "solid wall" housing stock makes retrofitting central AC expensive and difficult, leading many residents to rely on portable units during the increasingly frequent summer heatwaves. If you are visiting the UK in the summer, you will find that "AC is a thing" in commercial spaces, but you should not assume a standard Airbnb or older Bed & Breakfast will have it unless explicitly stated. The cultural shift is ongoing, moving from viewing AC as a luxury to seeing it as a climate-resiliency necessity.