Heatwave after heatwave have made for a brutal British summer so far.
In June, the record for the hottest June day ever recorded was beaten three days in a row, and 26 June marked the sixth-hottest day in the UK since records began.
Average temperatures in Britain are already around 1.2°C higher than pre-industrial levels, and heatwaves are set to become more frequent and longer because of climate change.
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As the UK has been a cooler country for much of its existence, we have very little infrastructure to deal with such high temperatures. But there are reasons why Britain needs air conditioning now.
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With higher temperatures seemingly here to stay, many will be considering whether they should invest in air conditioning (AC). It can be a life-saver in heatwaves, but can also be expensive to install.
However, a government grant may be able to bring down the costs for some.
Are there air conditioning grants in the UK?
Eligible households in the UK can get a grant to help with the cost of installing certain air conditioners that both heat and cool your home.
The grant is part of the government’s boiler upgrade scheme (BUS) which helps with the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with environmentally-friendly ones.
A maximum £2,500 discount is currently available to households to help them install an air-to-air heat pump – commonly called an air conditioner.
Air-to-air heat pumps operate using the same principle as air or ground source heat pumps whereby they extract heat from outside to heat your home. However, unlike air or ground source heat pumps, they are able to cool your home as well as heat it.
These types of heat pump were previously exempt from the BUS, but the government announced in late 2025 they will be included in it, meaning you can now get help from the government when installing air conditioning.
It is important to note that the BUS is only available for households who are upgrading their fossil fuel heating system to something more environmentally friendly. That means that you will not be able to get the grant if you intend to use the air-to-air heat pump exclusively for cooling while keeping your current heating system in place.
What is an air-to-air heat pump?
When used as an air conditioner in the summer, an air-to-air heat pump works by drawing in warm air in your home, cooling it down, and then disposing of the heat outside.
The air is drawn in through fans, then refrigerant is used to cool the air down before it is returned to your room and the heat is disposed of. The whole process is powered by electricity.
Meanwhile, in cooler months the air-to-air heat pump can effectively do the same process in reverse to deliver heat to your home.
The reason the government is encouraging people to install these is because they are better for the environment than traditional heating methods. The fact they also work to cool the air down in summer is a bonus.
How can you get an air-to-air heat pump grant?
To get the grant, you will have to purchase an air-to-air heat pump through an MCS certified installer. They will apply for the grant on your behalf.
It is important to note the grant is only available when you get the heat pump installed by an MCS registered firm. If you go with a firm that does not have the certification you will not be eligible for the grant.
However, though the grant is now available, there is still work being done to get it offered by more MCS suppliers. That means that it may still be a little longer before you can get the discount.
If you want to use the BUS to get an air-to-air heat pump installed, you should contact an MCS certified installer and ask them about when the grant will become available to you.
How much does an air-to-air heat pump cost?
The cost of installing an air-to-air heat pump will vary depending on where you live, the state of your home, the specific model you want to install, and much more.
Supply and installation costs around £3,000 on average, with a typical lifespan of 15 to 20 years, according to checkatrade.
Once the £2,500 government grant is subtracted from these costs, the price looks more manageable, though you should note that you may not necessarily get the maximum amount.
When your air-to-air heat pump is installed, it will cost you money to run and the amount you pay will vary. It depends on many factors including how long you keep it running, the temperature you are trying to achieve, the size of your room and the current level of the price cap.
That makes it difficult to calculate an average cost, but you can work out how much it would cost you if you multiply the power of your model in kilowatts (kW) by how much you pay for a kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy.
Using the July price cap as an example, it would cost you £0.86 to run a 3.5 kW air-to-air heat pump for an hour, though this figure will vary by model and change when the price cap rises or falls.
