Heatwave highlights 'cooling divide' concerns
Getty Images"All of a sudden I've become the most popular person on the planet," said an air conditioning engineer, who saw an increase in calls caused by the heatwave.
Aaron Haggard, from Gosport, said "last week was unprecedented" for his business, as the country was gripped by the hottest June temperatures on record.
He said that he received a spike in messages particularly during the hot nights.
Despite the rise in interest for air conditioning, a new study from the University of Reading found that air conditioning is only used in 4.3% of homes across England.
The researchers warned that the UK was heading towards a "cooling divide" where those who were most in danger during a heatwave were least likely to have air conditioning at home.
"Older people face some of the greatest health risks in a heatwave, yet are among the least likely to have air conditioning" said Dr Rory Jones, lead author at the University of Reading.
He added: "Renters are being shut out too, by cost, by landlords, and by homes they cannot adapt."
Jones has called for a "national cooling strategy", which considers ways to keep people cool at home that does not mean relying in air conditioning.
He said: "That means designing new homes that stay cool naturally, refurbishing existing homes to make them cooler, ensuring we protect vulnerable households from heat, and aligning any growth in air conditioning with the UK's climate goals and energy system."
He warned that a fast rise in air conditioning could push up electricity bills, strain the power network, and raise carbon emissions.
His study says support is needed so people most at risk from heat can stay cool without facing bills they cannot pay.
Dr Rory JonesNew June heat records were set on three consecutive days last week.
The Met Office confirmed on Monday that after analysing more data over the weekend, a new temperature record of 37.7C was set in Lingwood, Norfolk on 26 June.