Heat shifts home buying: buyers seek cool comfort

What's happened

Rightmove data shows a 104% rise in searches for homes with air conditioning as the UK endures record heat. Buyers are weighing comfort and energy costs, with expert comment on how climate drives property choices and the market remains subdued in overall activity.

What's behind the headline?

What this means for buyers

• Heat resilience is becoming a core criterion in property decisions, not a fringe feature.
• Air conditioning and ventilation are increasingly central to viewings and valuations.
• Buyers are evaluating energy costs and comfort year-round, not just summer months.

Why it matters now

• The trend signals a longer-term shift in housing demand, potentially shaping new-build and retrofit markets.
• If temperatures stay high, homes that stay cool while staying affordable will attract more attention.

Risks and implications

• Energy use and cost concerns may drive policy discussions around efficiency standards.
• The market may slow further if higher upfront cooling costs deter buyers.

Forecast

• Demand for cooling-ready homes will likely rise in the next 12 months, influencing prices and product features at sale.

How we got here

The week features the UK’s fifth heatwave, with England recording temperatures near 38C and warnings for extreme heat. Rightmove reports a surge in home-search activity for cooling features, reflecting shifting buyer priorities alongside long-standing concerns about price and location.

Our analysis

Independent reports show a 104% uplift in Rightmove searches for air conditioning between May 1 and July 31, 2026, alongside Guardian coverage noting 61% of buyers would consider AC and 87% value a cool home. Across multiple outlets, experts link comfort, energy efficiency and climate resilience to buying decisions. Rupert Jones (The Guardian) and staff writers (Independent) quote Rightmove and industry voices on the shift in buyer priorities.

Go deeper

• Will more homes feature built-in cooling or smarter ventilation?
• Are energy costs factoring into mortgage decisions for buyers?
• How will the market price in comfort and energy efficiency in valuations?

More on these topics

• United Kingdom - Country in Europe

  The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the north­western coast of the European mainland.

• Rightmove - Real estate company

  Rightmove plc is a UK-based company that runs rightmove.co.uk, the UK's largest online real estate portal and property website. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

• The Guardian - Newspaper

  The Guardian is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as The Manchester Guardian, and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers The Observer and The Guardian Weekly, The Guardian is part of the Guardian Media Group, owned by the S

• Air conditioning

  Air conditioning is the process of removing heat and moisture from the interior of an occupied space to improve the comfort of occupants. Air conditioning can be used in both domestic and commercial environments.

• Northern Ireland - Country of the United Kingdom

  Northern Ireland is variously described as a country, province or region which is part of the United Kingdom. Located in the northeast of the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland shares a border to the south and west with the Republic of Ireland.

• Citizens Advice - Charity

  Citizens Advice is a network of 316 independent charities throughout the United Kingdom that give free, confidential information and advice to assist people with money, legal, consumer and other problems.