Record temperatures driving up home air conditioning inquiries

Record temperatures driving up home air conditioning inquiriesImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A fifth of homes in the UK currently have air conditioning installed ByAlice CullinaneWest MidlandsPublishedJust nowFinding an air conditioned space during the heatwave has been a topic of conversation for many people. A red warning of extreme heat has affected millions of people - schools have closed, transport has been disrupted and people have been searching for cooler spaces in which to work or rest.Churches, community centres, museums and libraries have been providing free 'cool spaces', helping people to take a break from the rising temperatures.But some people are going a step further and installing air conditioning in their homes. For companies like Aircon Services in Tamworth, business is booming with domestic inquiries rising by 300% in the last six years.People were not willing to tolerate the heat anymore co-founder Marc Newbold said adding air conditioning was starting to be viewed as a necessity not a luxury.Ninety percent of UK homes will overheat during the summer by 2050, the National Housing Federation said.Homes have historically been designed for the colder weather with the aim of keeping heat in. Overheating occurs when indoor temperatures rise to an uncomfortable level, typically exceeding 25C to 27C.Image source, Marc NewboldImage caption, Marc Newbold (left) and Alister Boulstridge (right) founded their business in 2008In England, 4% of homes currently have air conditioning, external according to the University of Reading. The hot weather has increased air conditioning inquiries from two a week to about 25 as people look for instant ways to cool down, Newbold said."We are stacking up bookings for weeks to come and the inquiries are difficult to keep up with, but creates a lot of business," he added.Air conditioning for a small bedroom could cost about £1,500 but people were seeing this as an investment in comfort, he said...