Aircon: government should fund / subsidise it?

[catspyjamas1]

For context: I'm from Africa. Half my life has been spent in the UK and growing up in Africa, we didn't have AC unless we were in the shops. We had ceiling fans, onshore breeze from the sea, rarely a pool etc.

In the last 7-10 years, it's clear that the UK is not designed for the heat we have now in summer. This will not stop and is here to stay.

I've read several threads in the last couple of years of people in new build high rise flats who are struggling - one this week.
Ditto new build houses. I'm in a new build and upstairs where I sleep is horrific. I'm going to drag a mattress to the living room to sleep.
UK house builds are designed to retain heat - great for winter!! But not for summer.

Will add that I'm now in early menopause (formally!) so perhaps my experience of heat and sleeping is skewed

So:
AIBU: people need to suck it up and buy some fans.
YANBU: government should start a fund to subsidise and/or incentivise aircon in new and old houses (similar to what they did a few years ago for heating)

NB: please don't send me heat reduction tips, am on it and like I said, originate from Africa where 40+degrees C is normal.

So in other words, you have nothing to actually say🤣

I don't think tax payers should pay but I would welcome a law that says the freeholder/covenants cant ban them being installed for aesthetic reasons

My only claim was that actually emissions from fuel use (in this instance running AC but could be anything) are a negative influence in climate change, which heats us up further, and so it goes on. I assumed that was a basic that was understood since this didn't appear to be a climate change denial thread.

Interesting about the heating/cooling schemes. Leaving environment concerns aside, I think that times change and opinions and public mood will change, but for now it's hard to justify the cost when everything else is so pressed and AC is still viewed as very much a luxury.

It depends on how and from when you count GHG contributions (see below), but in any case every country needs to do its part, else the - 'tragedy of the commons' !

www.carbonbrief.org/revealed-colonial-rule-nearly-doubles-uks-historical-contribution-to-climate-change/

An interesting idea because the Government does universally subsidise heating for certain sections of society- namely pensioners and the winter fuel allowance.

Given that extreme heat is also a killer for elderly people there is a logical argument for subsidising cooling solutions for pensioners.

Except of course there isn't the money for either subsidised heating or cooling. Yet oddly whilst asking the Government (in reality taxpayers) to subsidise cooling is (rightly) seen as unrealistic, asking the Government (taxpayers) to subsidise heating is seen as perfectly acceptable.

Anyway I would much prefer that they didn't subsidise either and instead used the money to pay for a
swimming pool in my garden. It would be much cheaper as they would only have to pay for my pool (everyone else can sod off) because I suffer terribly from the heat and would get both mental and physical health issues if the Government doesn't give me a free pool.

The government don’t give people heating why would they give air con that would be used for a couple of weeks a year? They’re NHS and schools are in a state and you think they should fund air con

Installing solar panels and air con units is out of the reach for most people.
Did you get solar panels to reduce your environmental impact?

The knowledge of how to build well insulated Passive Haus style houses that keep the heat in when wanted and keep it out when not wanted has been around for decades and it isn't very hard. The government should've made it building regs decades ago. They certainly could do now. It would reduce the need for air con and heating.

It's a tiny thing, but made me throw my hands in the air. Lidl have changed their glass bottle soy sauce to plastic.
If the supermarkets are INCREASING their plastic use and there are no policy changes to stop it then little old me recycling my tins, being mindful of my heating/hot water makes no difference at all.

Go to the US (and other places I'm sure) and the air con in the stores is cranked up high while the doors are wide open.

I'm so jealous! 😍 Mine is being installed next month in my room and can't wait - been debating it for two/three years and bit the bullet. Also got dual cool and heat function!

Right now, the cat is sitting in the pouring rain that broke out about half hour ago and I've gone to join him for a few minutes. Bracing for 35 degrees tomorrow.

Enjoy your AC!! 💜

Yabu. Funding more aircon would just increase energy demand and make it more difficult to meet our energy needs from renewable sources which is what we need to do to stop climate change. It's generally only this hot for a few days at a time and for most families the cost of aircon simply isn't worth it. There's nothing wrong with there being 5-10 nights of the year when you need to put the mattress in the lounge or whatever other tactics work on a temporary basis rather than outlaying huge investments in a technology that really isn't needed 355 days per year. If climate change continues in this direction then certainly building regulations could be updated to require builders to use materials and designs better suited to a warmer climate. Or maybe businesses will relocate to the far north of Scotland, moving vast numbers of people out of the overcrowded and overheated Southeast - incentives to spread populations more evenly around the country would benefit everyone

And whilst they’re at it, a wine fridge and plunge pool for those 2-3 weeks a year.

Survey man came last week before mine is installed and mentioned "aesthetic reasons" for the one I'm getting and where it will go outside.

Told him I couldn't care less - just install it - and he was a bit surprised. It's going down the side of the house at the front. And the people that buy this when I sell will thank me!

Here in British Columbia parts of the province are in the same boat. The lower mainland has grown warmer and many buildings were built without air conditioning.

We have a government program available for free portable air conditioners, but you need to be approved through your local health authority. I don't know details but believe it is based on income and health challenges. Makes sense for many seniors living in apartment buildings.

With houses, you can create air flow by opening windows on opposite sides of the house and blowing a fan. On warm days in our house, we open the front door and the back bedroom windows to create air flow.

100%.

OMG.
Another one.
Please share the sums or go away.

A lot of new builds have air-conditioning now. The 3 most recent blocks near me have it

Africa is a vast continent.

What on earth does immigration and racism have to do with aircon? 😂

Troll be gone. Weirdo.

We have thousands (literally) of houses and flats being built around the town I live in. A lot of solar and electric charging for cars. None have aircon.

Frankly, I'm tired of people thinking the government (tax payers) have to pay for everything.

They should also fund A/C top ups in 35.4 million cars in the UK.
It’s a disgrace that I have to pay this.

And then pay for my heating and new boiler in the Winter.

I pay my taxes!!!

You're very rude. CoverLikelyZebra is giving her opinion and contributing towards the discussion.
Such informal conversations don't need to be backed up by hard figures and/or peer reviewed science.

In public services like hospitals and schools yes. Private houses no.

Agree. Besides there is plenty of peer-reviewed science on the topic. If only the OP 'CBA to google' it, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change https://www.ipcc.ch/ for a start!