In the UK, the question of whether to install air conditioning or not is a significant one.

A heatwave has once again swept across Europe recently. This marks Europe's second major heat event this year, arriving just a month after the previous one.

The UK Met Office recently issued a rare red extreme heat warning, with peak temperatures expected to reach at least 39 degrees Celsius. As of the time of writing, the UK has already broken its June temperature record, with Wiggonholt in West Sussex recording 35.8 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 35.6 degrees Celsius set in 1976.

Many areas in France have seen temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Spain and Portugal have experienced temperatures over 42 degrees Celsius.

Meteorologists point to the same mechanism for the cause: hot air from the North African Sahara is being trapped over Europe by a high-pressure system, forming a heat dome that blocks the normal circulation of the atmosphere.

Unlike the heatwave in May this year, which was primarily dry, this current event is characterized by rising humidity alongside temperature, significantly reducing the body's ability to cool itself through sweating, making it feel even more oppressive. Dr. Akshay Deoras, a meteorologist at the University of Reading, noted that compared to the 2022 and May 2023 heatwaves, this one has notably higher humidity, "making it more muggy, uncomfortable, and also more dangerous."

Heat from 50 Years Ago is Now the Norm

"Everyone is talking about the 1976 heatwave," said Chris, a London resident, to a reporter. "But that summer (heat) now feels like it's become the norm."

He was wearing SPF 50 sunscreen and using an umbrella for shade, while mentioning he was searching everywhere for air conditioning units, "but they're sold out all over."

The summer of 1976 was one of the hottest on record in the UK, with 15 consecutive days above 32 degrees Celsius, leading to severe droughts in many areas. It remains a vivid collective memory for a generation of Britons.

Resident Alicia, holding a small electric fan, said, "We don't have any cooling equipment at home, just this [little fan]. I've brought water, prepared ice, and plan to spend time in the library."

She experienced the 1976 heatwave as a child and even recounted that you could fry an egg on the ground back then.

John, who lives in a south-facing apartment, said the temperature inside was already 33 degrees Celsius when he left this morning, forcing him to spend the day hiding in the hallway and bedroom.

"I've even started using an umbrella when I go out now." His home also lacks air conditioning, for one simple reason: "The problem in the UK is the energy costs (are too high). How many people can actually afford to run an air conditioner? I certainly can't, because you have to keep it on."

Considering Air Conditioning? Do the Math First

Data from the International Energy Agency shows that household air conditioning penetration in Europe is only about 20%, compared to 90% in the United States. Professor Stefán Smith of the University of Reading stated that currently, about 8% to 19% of UK households use some form of air conditioning, but roughly 80% of those installations occurred after 2022, primarily concentrated in Greater London.

Why don't Britons install air conditioning? Sandy, who has long worked in home renovation design in London, explained the issue more clearly in an interview.

First is the climate calculation. The UK has a temperate maritime climate, with genuinely hot days exceeding 30 degrees Celsius being few and far between, while the long winter heating season is a necessity. "Where would you tend to invest?" Sandy said. "Rather than spending several thousand pounds on air conditioning for those few days of heatwave each year, it's better to invest that money in insulation improvements. Good insulation can cut winter heating time in half."

Second is the economic calculation. Installing a fixed air conditioning system typically starts at four to five thousand pounds. Combined with the UK's historically high residential electricity prices within Europe, the overall cost is not easy for the average household. "It's not just the one-time installation cost; there's also the monthly electricity bill," Sandy noted. "Even if many people install it on impulse, they can't bear to use it, preferring to endure the heat."

There is also an often-overlooked regulatory hurdle. Installing air conditioning in apartment buildings involves mounting the outdoor unit on an external wall, which constitutes an alteration to the building facade. This requires approval from the building's management committee and must comply with local planning authority requirements. Sandy stated plainly, "It involves too many things." If the property is located in a conservation area, restrictions on external alterations are even more stringent, almost ruling out the possibility of installation.

Beyond the economic calculation, there is also an environmental consideration. Jane, a resident of London for twenty years, feels the effects of climate change very clearly. Although her apartment is "extremely hot," her coping strategy involves using plywood nailed over windows for shade, employing several fans, and relying on nighttime ventilation for cooling.

"My attitude towards air conditioning is a bit conflicted," she said. "I don't like it expelling hot air outside."

Parents Taking Matters into Their Own Hands

In this heatwave, schools have been caught most off guard. Reports indicate that some UK parents have taken it upon themselves to purchase portable air conditioners for their children's classrooms, with parents from multiple other schools planning similar actions. A manager at an air conditioning company mentioned receiving requests for help from parents and teachers, including one from a teaching assistant at a special education school teaching in an "extremely hot portable cabin."

A teacher at a London state primary school revealed to a reporter that the school's parent-teacher association had previously offered to donate air conditioners to the school, but the headteacher declined, citing the high running costs of electricity.

Meanwhile, the official stance of the UK Department for Education remains that "it is not usually recommended for schools to close." The reality, however, is that many schools in London and southern England have successively announced early dismissals or even full-day closures due to the heat. Some schools have set up inflatable pools in playgrounds to cool younger students, others have canceled sports days, and some have relaxed uniform requirements.

Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, told media that many school buildings are old and simply cannot cope with extreme temperatures, especially small primary schools in older buildings. If hotter summers are to become the norm, the government indeed needs to push for school building modernization with greater urgency.

A report last month from the UK's CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc. predicted that, without intervention, by 2050 the number of days when indoor temperatures in UK schools exceed 35 degrees Celsius will increase by 70% compared to current levels.