The world is getting warmer, and the divide between those who can afford to stay cool and those who cannot is widening. This isn't just a problem for the wealthy; it's a matter of life and death for vulnerable groups who are at greater risk during heatwaves. The UK is no exception to this trend, and the situation is only going to get worse as summers become more extreme. The cooling divide is a real and present danger, and it's time we took action to ensure that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, has access to protection from dangerous heat.
The data is clear: air conditioning is not spreading evenly across society. Instead, it's creating a new form of inequality, one in which access to cooling depends on where you live, how much you earn, and the type of home you occupy. London and the east of England have the highest levels of residential air conditioning, while northern regions remain much less likely to use cooling. This is hardly surprising, given that London experiences warmer summers and a stronger urban heat island effect.
But the economic inequalities are just as stark. Households in the highest income group are more than twice as likely to own air conditioning than those on the lowest incomes. Installing and running air conditioning is expensive, making it far more accessible to wealthier households. And as with the higher temperatures, those wealthier households who are more easily able to absorb the cost of air conditioning are also highly concentrated in London and the south-east.
The most concerning finding is that several groups most vulnerable to heat currently have relatively low access to air conditioning. Older people, lone-parent households, and many lower-income families are among those least likely to use it, despite facing greater health risks during periods of extreme heat. Social and private renters also lag behind owner-occupiers, reflecting barriers such as upfront costs, landlord permissions, and practical constraints on installation.
However, there is some good news. Some vulnerable groups are adopting air conditioning at higher rates than the wider population. Households with babies, young children, disabled people, and those living with long-term health conditions are all more likely to use air conditioning. This is encouraging, as it suggests that many households are taking proactive steps to protect their health.
But this introduces another challenge. Since air conditioning uses lots of electricity, vulnerable families may find themselves facing a difficult choice between staying cool and keeping their energy bills affordable. In the UK, fuel poverty has traditionally focused on heating homes during winter, but our research suggests a new form of summer fuel poverty may already be emerging.
The rise in air conditioning in homes will also increase electricity demand in summer, placing additional pressure on energy networks. Unless that electricity comes from zero-carbon sources, it will also increase emissions, creating a feedback loop in which hotter summers drive greater demand for cooling. The solution today cannot simply be more air conditioning for everyone.
Instead, the UK needs a national cooling plan, one that focuses on keeping homes cool naturally through solutions like external shading and shutters, as well as encouraging more trees in cities to provide shade and other cooling effects. Where air conditioning is essential for vulnerable households, they should receive targeted support.
The cooling divide is a real and present danger, and it's time we took action to ensure that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, has access to protection from dangerous heat. The question is whether we act now or wait until a cool home becomes a privilege.
