With most of Europe in the midst of a heatwave and the UK expected to follow suit, air conditioning would be a useful luxury. Are you tempted?
The 40°C heatwave in France looks set to break records this week, with temporary fountains installed and public pools staying open longer as people use different means to stay cool.
You’ll remember that this time last year temperatures were soaring in the UK – we discussed hosepipe bans and shared tips on keeping animals and pets cool in the extreme heat.
But staying cool would be a lot easier if our homes had air conditioning. As I write this, it’s 28°C in my flat – what I wouldn’t give for an integrated A/C unit!
Hoses, windows and decibels
With similar temperatures at night I decided to take that plunge and buy the closest thing possible – a portable air conditioner. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go as planned.
My A/C buying plans went out the window when it came to the hose. Unfortunately the windows in my flat just aren’t right for a portable unit.
I exhausted all my options, but eventually had to settle on taking it back for a refund, which actually went very smoothly (thank you, Screwfix).
I have to admit, the noise it made would also have been an issue, especially at night. It was also a bit cumbersome for a ‘portable’ unit, but we live and learn.
Play it cool
If you’re currently sitting in a hot, stuffy house thinking about buying a portable air conditioner, my advice would be to take the time to assess the windows first.
If you live in a flat (a property type which would probably be most in need of cooling down!), it’s unlikely you’ll have the windows needed to vent the hose. They certainly come up a bit bigger than you’d expect.
But if you live in a house and have access to an external wall, could it be worth paying a bit more to get a fully integrated unit instead?
Fortunately we’ve put together a guide on buying the best air conditioner, which explains the different types, sizes and features, as well as how to set one up effectively.
We’ve also taken a first look at three models on the market
Are you considering buying an air conditioner? Is it worth it for the three or so months of British summer? Or are the soaring temperatures every year making one essential, like they are in other countries?