The Conservatives have vowed to overturn what is effectively a net-zero ban on air conditioning in new homes.
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho this week pledged to axe the ‘outdated regulations’ which are forcing Britons to ‘sweat it out’ during the summer months.
It comes as temperatures in the United Kingdom continued to soar on Tuesday, with a high of 35.1C recorded in Kew Gardens, south-west London.
Current air-conditioning rules, introduced in 2021, put a de facto ban on installing cooling systems in new-build homes, meaning workers could only fit them as a last resort.
The update made to the Building Regulations legislation came amid fears over air conditioning’s effect on the environment – and has been backed by Green campaigners.
However critics argue the rules make homes, particularly inner-city apartments and flats, almost unbearable to live in when temperatures increase.
And Tory MP Ms Coutinho this week described Britain’s current energy stance as ‘miserabilist’ while pledging to overturn the net-zero ban on air conditioning.
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho has pledged to axe the ‘outdated air conditioning regulations’ which are forcing Britons to ‘sweat it out’ during the summer months
It comes as temperatures in the United Kingdom continued to soar on Tuesday, with record heats of 35.1C recorded in Kew Gardens, south-west London (Bournemouth beach is pictured)
Just three per cent of British homes are currently kitted out with the cooling systems, compared to five per cent in Germany and some 90 per cent in the US and Japan.
Ms Coutinho wrote in The Telegraph: ‘The fact that we are one of the only major economies on earth which has decided that the solution to hot days is to “sweat it out” tells you everything you need to know about our warped energy ideology.
‘Why would we limit access to a technology that is proven to save lives, boost productivity and make people more comfortable?
‘Energy policy should serve the needs of the British people, not the other way around. That’s why we would axe these outdated building regulations which are blocking air con and build an energy system which puts customers first.’
Studies have found that high indoor temperatures reduce people’s ability to work and can also hinder children’s capacity to learn.
Those with long-term medical conditions, the elderly and young children could also be at risk during particularly warm periods.
Labour ministers have been in support of the policy put forth in the Building Regulations, arguing it is in aid of Ed Miliband’s net-zero targets.
Local leaders including Sir Sadiq Khan have also rigorously adopted the rules, which were originally passed by the Tories while Robert Jenrick was the UK’s housing secretary.
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The Labour government were however earlier this week urged to roll out air conditioning in schools and hospitals by the Climate Change Committee (CCC).
Baroness Brown, the chair of the CCC’s Adaptation Committee, said: ‘We need to recognise that there are aspects of our British life which are now really under threat from climate.
‘It’s not rocket science – we know what to do but we haven’t yet seen that a government that’s prepared to prioritise adapting to the change of climate.’
She added that the ‘UK has built for a climate that no longer exists today’.
It comes in the midst of a heatwave which has twice seen the hottest May day in British history broken.
On Monday, temperatures reached 34.8C in Kew Gardens before rising north of 35C yesterday.
The Met Office described the sweltering heat as ‘exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone in May’.
But temperatures are expected to cool somewhat on Wednesday, with highs of 27C forecast in London.
The Met said: ‘Mainly dry and sunny again with temperatures still well above average, especially in the west where it will remain hot. Fresher conditions expected near eastern coasts with stronger onshore breezes.’
While its outlook for Thursday to Saturday reads: ‘Variable cloud, very warm or hot on Thursday and Friday with clear or sunny periods, but also a risk of showers or thunderstorms. Very warm, potentially hot on Saturday still.
