Home buyers are placing greater emphasis on how properties perform during periods of extreme heat, according to one estate agency, as temperatures across parts of the UK approach 38C this week.
The latest heatwave has renewed discussion around whether features traditionally associated with warmer European countries, such as air conditioning, could become more common considerations for UK homeowners and buyers.
Agents report that prospective purchasers are increasingly asking questions about insulation, ventilation, shading and how well homes remain comfortable during hot weather, reflecting growing awareness of the impact of rising temperatures on day-to-day living.
Philip Boyden, managing director of Boydens, which has offices in Essex and Suffolk, said: “For years, buyers have focused on energy-efficient boilers, double glazing, insulation and south-facing gardens. However, as the UK experiences increasingly frequent heatwaves, could cooling systems soon become just as important?
“The UK recorded its hottest ever temperature in 2022 and could be trumped in 2026, and since then periods of extreme heat have become increasingly common. While traditionally British homes have been designed to retain heat during winter, many struggle to stay cool during prolonged hot weather.
“As a result, buyers are beginning to consider how comfortable a property will be during summer months as well as winter.”
Boyden said staff across his estate agency’s offices in Colchester, Kelvedon, Frinton-on-Sea and Sudbury had seen a marked increase in buyer enquiries about how homes cope during periods of hot weather.
Among the most common concerns raised were south-facing rooms becoming excessively warm in summer, the need for home offices to remain comfortable during high temperatures, bedrooms overheating during heatwaves, and modern energy-efficient homes retaining heat for longer periods.
He added: “Currently, air conditioning is unlikely to add a significant amount to a property’s valuation on its own. However, it can make a property stand out from competing homes, particularly in the upper end of the market.
“For buyers viewing multiple properties during a hot spell, stepping into a comfortably cooled home can leave a lasting impression.
In certain property types, such as luxury homes, modern apartments, new build properties and home offices and garden studios, air conditioning may increasingly be viewed as a desirable lifestyle feature rather than a luxury extra.
“Features such as air conditioning, air source heat pumps with cooling capability, solar shading, modern ventilation systems and smart climate control technology could all become more influential over the coming decade.
“Locally, across Essex and Suffolk, we are starting to see more homeowners installing air conditioning units, particularly in loft conversions, garden offices, new-build homes and principal bedrooms.
“While buyers are not currently paying substantial premiums specifically for air conditioning, many appreciate the comfort, convenience and futureproofing it provides.
