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.

It's really not hard - the onus is on the person making a claim to back said claim up.

Otherwise, not interested and will thoroughly enjoy my AC next month and encourage everyone in the UK to get it.

LOL. FACTS.

I certainly think the government should focus on requiring all new builds to be designed to accommodate weather extremes. Flats which comprise three internal walls and floor to ceiling glass windows are not the best places to be in extreme heat.

Unfortunately if we all had AC it would add massively to global warming. In Switzerland it is quite difficult to get permanent AC installed as you must have a special need for it.

POLITE REMINDER:
This thread is about government subsidies for AC and mandating new builds have AC. Questions and discussion around needs, funding, legislation etc.

It is NOT about climate change. Zero interest and won't be commenting on that further. Feel free to create your own thread debating how AC in the UK will kill the planet. Please don't derail the thread / topic.

Yet your grand 'claim' in your first post is "I've read several threads in the last couple of years of people in new build high rise flats who are struggling".

You did not state in your OP that you were only interested in posts from people who had hard facts which they could back up with references etc.
I wonder why, if you are only interested in the hard science and politics, you've come to MN (a chat forum).

Yes! I have read about so many problems in London new builds recently and recall one place taking legal action?

Nah......you're not the thread police.
I respect people asking not to derail when an OP has come asking for very specific support, but something like this....the derails (and side discussions about climate change are not really a derail, it's very much relevant) often spark very interesting discussions.

But climate change is one of the reasons the government will not do what you want.
When you post then you open up for discussion.

We definitely need to be savvier about things like new build architecture and how to adapt urban centres to rising temperatures. More trees for shade, brise-soleil on buildings (Google it, hadn’t heard of it until I read an article recently), maybe look at what warmer countries like Spain does - those giant awnings over pedestrian town centre avenues create shade, etc.

🙄

😴

I think the government probably need to change the building codes to ensure buildings can be ventilated in the heat but subsidising air conditioning as standard seems like a very poor use of money at the moment.

Outside shutters on windows, whole house fans, or even mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, would be better than encouraging air con.

I feel about the government spending money like I do about me spending it - the answer is biggest priorities first. My natural inclination is to buy nice furniture - but I have to buy a new roof. So that is where the money will have to go.

Air con is way down my list of government necessities.

Yeah, agree on the architectural side. A few houses near me have installed proper outdoor roller shutters in rooms that get the most direct sunlight like I've seen in Spain and Turkey. This is fine as a stop gap but not long term at scale.

New build estates I have seen have no trees. This is going to be a problem jn future I think!

A few houses near me have shutters now.
What do you mean by "mechanical ventilation with heat recovery"?

How much does it cost to run?

You’ve suggested welfare reform including pensions and triple lock should pay for this.
You’re ’not arsed’ about what your AC looks like for your neighbours, ignored the surveyor’s surprise (read dismay) and couldn’t care less about climate change.
You’ve been short with several posters and demanded facts when you have not presented any yourself.
You’re just here to goad.

Not just London, it’s a common design flaw and one that’s difficult to rectify in an apartment block with many units.

We’re all still patiently waiting for YOUR sums OP :)

Savings breakdown, cost breakdown, your workings and justification that this would be a greater cause than the many many other areas that desperately need more funding… whenever you’re ready, in your own words “share the sums, do tell”🤣

I completely support this initiative.

You're right.

🥱🥱🥱

Absolutely not. We saved to buy our own air con, why should I pay more tax to fund yours.