Should schools in the UK be fitted with air conditioning?

[Bikeman78]

Moderator note - split from:

Heatwave from 22 June - effect on the UK Railway

As the next few days are forecast to be very hot, especially over Southern England and the Midlands, I thought it would be useful to start a thread as I'm sure there will be some issues arising. https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/hot-weather-20260617/ Met Office are advising...

www.railforums.co.uk

There is a discussion on Good morning Britain about schools closing. That has a wide impact because people then need to find childcare. Clearly we need to install air con in schools, hospitals, and various other buildings ASAP. And buses too. It can be done. All public transport in New York has had air con for at least 20 years, even the old vehicles.

 

[JN114]

There is a discussion on Good morning Britain about schools closing. That has a wide impact because people then need to find childcare. Clearly we need to install air con in schools, hospitals, and various other buildings ASAP. And buses too. It can be done. All public transport in New York has had air con for at least 20 years, even the old vehicles.

Schools are asking parents to buy exercise books and pencils; they cannot afford air con installation

 

[Bikeman78]

Schools are asking parents to buy exercise books and pencils; they cannot afford air con installation

Great, so the UK is so screwed that it can't afford pencils. That explains a lot.

 

[AndrewE]

Schools are asking parents to buy exercise books and pencils; they cannot afford air con installation

Great, so the UK is so screwed that schools can't afford pencils. That explains a lot.

Is this news to you? It's where we are, they do it to try to protect other expenditure.

Back to cooling schools: It's not just [expensive and potentially unreliable] air con needed, a quick and relatively easy fix is to install awnings. They need only the simplest fixing skills and stop the sun's heat reaching the walls and windows. After that, reducing physical activity and ensuring people keep hydrated might be enough to manage the situation in lots of places during the current high air temperatures. (Preventing solar gain is a smart intervention though as it heads off a lot of the problem. We have stretched sheets over windows before now, it works a treat.)

 

[Bikeman78]

Is this news to you? It's where we are, they do it to try to protect other expenditure.

Back to cooling schools: It's not just [expensive and potentially unreliable] air con needed, a quick and relatively easy fix is to install awnings. They need only the simplest fixing skills and stop the sun's heat reaching the walls and windows. After that, reducing physical activity and ensuring people keep hydrated might be enough to manage the situation in lots of places during the current high air temperatures. (Preventing solar gain is a smart intervention though as it heads off a lot of the problem. We have stretched sheets over windows before now, it works a treat.)

The air con works fine in my office. And my car. Should be fine in a school. I absolutely agree with your point about stopping the sun shining through windows. But I suspect your simple solution would be put in the too difficult pile.

 

[AndrewE]

The air con works fine in my office. And my car. Should be fine in a school. I absolutely agree with your point about stopping the sun shining through windows. But I suspect your simple solution would be put in the too difficult pile.

If you think awnings might be too difficult, how can A/C possibly be more easily done or more affordable?

 

[sor]

It does seem ludicrous that it hasn't been the norm in new buildings for decades. Both schools that I went to received various extensions and refits while I was there and not one of them had air con. The secondary school (main building from the 1960s, lots of extensions since) was totally rebuilt in the 2010s, I'd hope that they put it in then.

I currently work in a building that dates from the 70s. Air con in all office spaces from day one.

 

[Bantamzen]

It sounds like a good idea given the current weather. However the cost implication would be huge, there are over 29K state schools in the UK, most I imagine without AC. That's a huge undertaking, and for what a few weeks in a year when temps may become excessive, remembering schools are shut for a large part of summer. To be quite honest it would just be easier to adjust school hours in summer, to start and finish earlier to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Given the current state of the economy, and at the risk of sounding slightly heartless, I think there are a lot of priorities before AC in schools. Hospitals there may be more of a case, but the cost I imagine would be even greater than with schools. And you don't have the luxury of closed times to install, so there would be huge logistical challenges to get it installed and still run the services as normal.

Finally we also have to remember that AC across all public buildings would add a lot of running and maintenance costs, and that all has to be paid for through taxation. It's a big ask at a time when other priorities exist. AC is great when a) It actually works properly, and b) is actually needed. My office is a fairly new build in Manchester, but the AC can actually make the building feel cold and uncomfortable, and one in my previous office in Leeds was so unreliable it was broken more than than it worked.

 

[jon0844]

Back to cooling schools: It's not just [expensive and potentially unreliable] air con needed, a quick and relatively easy fix is to install awnings. They need only the simplest fixing skills and stop the sun's heat reaching the walls and windows. After that, reducing physical activity and ensuring people keep hydrated might be enough to manage the situation in lots of places during the current high air temperatures. (Preventing solar gain is a smart intervention though as it heads off a lot of the problem. We have stretched sheets over windows before now, it works a treat.)

A caretaker could open windows very early in the morning before it gets too hot to bring the temperature down, but after that you need to close the windows and ideally shield the windows (which schools have an awful lot of!). Solar reflective film on the glass could help too.

(Obviously this may not work well in all situations, and I doubt windows will be left closed when full of kids today either).

It does seem ludicrous that it hasn't been the norm in new buildings for decades. Both schools that I went to received various extensions and refits while I was there and not one of them had air con. The secondary school (main building from the 1960s, lots of extensions since) was totally rebuilt in the 2010s, I'd hope that they put it in then.

I currently work in a building that dates from the 70s. Air con in all office spaces from day one.

Air to air heat pumps could heat and cool schools in the future, and with solar panels on the roof and storage batteries, the cost would probably be lower than using resistive heating or gas heating today. Removing radiators on classroom walls has other benefits too.

It's time for the Government to look at this issue seriously as this is a wake up call - but in a couple of months it should settle down, and then you have a period of time to prepare for next year.

In an ideal world, money raised would be given to local firms to do the installation work instead of awarding a huge contract nationwide to some corporation that moves its money offshore and sub-contracts at a pittance to other companies that makes it hard to deal with issues further down the line as everyone passes the buck on who is responsible for fixing problems.

 

[Dave W]

I'm a governor of a school. The idea that I'd be sending the headteacher out to get quotes for installing AC whilst the funding crisis is ongoing is painfully laughable. Schools, like any municipal establishment, exist in a vast range of building types, locations and each school is different.

Not to mention the fact that in state schools the work required to install AC would be considered capital work and thus be something the council should pay for (and if I wasn't laughing above, I certainly am now).

If you're going to do this, it'll need a nationally funded, nationally driven programme - and as schools barrel towards ever bigger deficits and ever smaller funding pots, there's plenty more I'd rather be given money for. If that means we close for one or two days every five years because it's really hot in June... Well...

 

[jon0844]

Finally we also have to remember that AC across all public buildings would add a lot of running and maintenance costs, and that all has to be paid for through taxation. It's a big ask at a time when other priorities exist. AC is great when a) It actually works properly, and b) is actually needed. My office is a fairly new build in Manchester, but the AC can actually make the building feel cold and uncomfortable, and one in my previous office in Leeds was so unreliable it was broken more than than it worked.

As more schools invest in solar, if the power generated isn't need by the school it can be exported to generate an income for the school.

Solar panels are now extremely cheap (£50-60 a panel) and so are batteries, so a lot of this work can be considered an investment. Of course, a Government has to be willing to fund such an investment and bear in mind the true benefits may not be realised until 6 or 7 years down the road, by which time they're out of power and someone else is getting all the glory. It's a shame but that's how politics has been for ages now.

 

[TravelDream]

It's not just [expensive and potentially unreliable] air con needed,

This is going to be a shocker to you, but air con has been successfully used for many decades in offices, homes and schools in many countries. There's nothing unreliable about it.
Expense is relative. I agree schools don't have the budget for it, but it's a major capital expenditure just like building new schools. As for running costs, we just have to accept Europe is getting hotter. We don't quibble about heating costs in schools in winter and say kids should wear coats in class instead of turning the heating on.

I don't necessarily think schools *need* AC in the UK and there are other mitigating measures that can be taken as you stated, but to act like AC is the devil is just a nonsense viewpoint.

AC can also be 100% green as long as it is powered by solar/ wind/ nuclear etc. energy.

 

[Bletchleyite]

AC can also be 100% green as long as it is powered by solar/ wind/ nuclear etc. energy.

If it's going to be widespread in the UK (and it probably is) then requiring it to be combined with solar panels to avoid high grid load and carbon emissions making the problem even worse is probably a good plan, at least in new build homes.

As for reliability it is reliable enough in static installations - it's no more complex than a refrigerator, really. Trains are a difficult environment with all the vibration (particularly in a DMU) and maintenance issues.

 

[HSTEd]

If you think awnings might be too difficult, how can A/C possibly be more easily done or more affordable?

Awnings require structural work and mitigation for the risk that they collapse on children.

Air conditioning systems are commodity units and are normally placed on the ground.

 

[Sorcerer]

Air conditioning in schools along with many other UK buildings is an inevitability because, as I've said elsewhere, if the Met Office predictions of 45c heatwaves come 2056 is accurate, we can't afford not to have it. We think nothing of running gas central heating for winter, so I would hope we'll eventually come around to the idea of using HVAC systems that can both heat and cool buildings with more energy efficiency.

Some might argue that it contributes to the problem by using more energy which requires burning more fossil fuels, to which I would argue that the UK grid is increasingly renewable, and many other countries around the world already use cooling systems, so I don't really see why our people (especially our children) should have to just grin and bear extreme weather events because it's the greenest thing to do. No serious climate scientist actually believes that.

 

[TravelDream]

If it's going to be widespread in the UK (and it probably is) then requiring it to be combined with solar panels to avoid high grid load and carbon emissions making the problem even worse is probably a good plan, at least in new build homes.

That's certainly true.
I think we should move towards requiring solar panels and a battery packs in all new homes which would heavily mitigate energy usage from cooling.
Of course, if heat pumps are required in all homes, we already have a form a AC being installed - even if our insane politicians try to ensure they can only be used for heating and not cooling.

For schools and offices, modern HVAC systems are the most efficient way to heat and cool. Very common for schools in the States to have such systems and I am sure we will come around to the idea as summers become more extreme.

Trains are a difficult environment with all the vibration (particularly in a DMU) and maintenance issues.

A lot of this is down to poor specifying during procurement and poor maintenance procedures.
Many countries have no issues with AC on trains.

Anyone who's been on the Hong Kong MTR will know the trains can be like stepping into a refrigerator from the already air conditioned platforms. I've never had issues in Spain or Poland (on their AC trains as some don't have it) either on my many journeys there.

 

[brad465]

If it's going to be widespread in the UK (and it probably is) then requiring it to be combined with solar panels to avoid high grid load and carbon emissions making the problem even worse is probably a good plan, at least in new build homes.

As for reliability it is reliable enough in static installations - it's no more complex than a refrigerator, really. Trains are a difficult environment with all the vibration (particularly in a DMU) and maintenance issues.

Which is especially effective as there is a strong correlation between AC demand and available solar energy.

More widely I think we need to going to great lengths to reduce the urban heat island effect, which is especially prominent in heatwaves. More trees in urban areas to provide shade and block sunlight reaching dark surfaces, painting walls white, and green roofs where solar panels are not installed. The foliage also provides rainfall run-off mitigation. The UHI is typically 5-10C, with the 10C in London. If we reduced it by around 6-7C, that 45C scenario becomes 38-39C, which is a massive difference maker.

 

[The exile]

It does seem ludicrous that it hasn't been the norm in new buildings for decades. Both schools that I went to received various extensions and refits while I was there and not one of them had air con. The secondary school (main building from the 1960s, lots of extensions since) was totally rebuilt in the 2010s, I'd hope that they put it in then.

I currently work in a building that dates from the 70s. Air con in all office spaces from day one.

It would be interesting to see just how many days there have been so far over the last 40 years where the temperature has reached “intolerable” (as opposed to mildly uncomfortable) level over a sizeable portion of the country excluding the period 15th July - 31st August as the majority of schools will have been closed for the majority of that period (yes I know that Scottish holidays are earlier, but the problem is generally less acute). I suspect that Year 1 pupils could still count them using the simplest of human counting aides. Doesn’t mean we don’t have consider it now, but does explain why it hasn’t been a priority.

 

[Sorcerer]

Which is especially effective as there is a strong correlation between AC demand and available solar energy.

More widely I think we need to going to great lengths to reduce the urban heat island effect, which is especially prominent in heatwaves. More trees in urban areas to provide shade and block sunlight reaching dark surfaces, painting walls white, and green roofs where solar panels are not installed. The foliage also provides rainfall run-off mitigation. The UHI is typically 5-10C, with the 10C in London. If we reduced it by around 6-7C, that 45C scenario becomes 38-39C, which is a massive difference maker.

The good thing about UK heatwaves is that they generally come about due to high pressure systems which suppresses cloud formation, so the hottest days where AC will be needed most can also provide unrestricted solar energy to the panels powering it.

The urban heat island mitigations you suggested would be helpful in outdoor environments, especially in London, but unfortunately this by itself probably won't be enough. Even if 45c is reduced to 35-39c that's still fairly hot, especially in a country not built for it.

 

[brad465]

The good thing about UK heatwaves is that they generally come about due to high pressure systems which suppresses cloud formation, so the hottest days where AC will be needed most can also provide unrestricted solar energy to the panels powering it.

The urban heat island mitigations you suggested would be helpful in outdoor environments, especially in London, but unfortunately this by itself probably won't be enough. Even if 45c is reduced to 35-39c that's still fairly hot, especially in a country not built for it.

While the effect is far more pronounced outdoors, there will inevitably be an impact indoors as well, as outdoor heat finds its way indoors one way or another. The lower the outdoor temperature, the lower the indoor temperature will end up being and that max indoor temperature ill take longer to be reached.

 

[speedy1]

29,000 schools, minimum £10k to do anything related to reducing heat .. that's about £290m. Not too bad, probably won't have much effect

If it becomes a national programme / bigger proper programme, it'll turn into a jobs programme / deal for pals, so inflate that to £100k per school minimum now were at nearly £3bn. Not to mention annual maintenance contracts and replacements every 10/20 years

If this manages to turn into a "scandal" they'll find the money partially and a lot of people will make a lot of money, and it'll probably just be AC set to 26c instead of a multi pronged approach. This country is a mess (short termism doesn't help)

We'll probably get a report (in a couple of heatwave times) that takes 3 years and ends up suggesting the right solution that we can't afford, and an alternative that will make some people some money but not deliver any value.

 

[yorkie]

There is a discussion on Good morning Britain about schools closing. That has a wide impact because people then need to find childcare. Clearly we need to install air con in schools, hospitals, and various other buildings ASAP. And buses too. It can be done. All public transport in New York has had air con for at least 20 years, even the old vehicles.

How often do you think a typical school has to close for this reason?

I'm a governor of a school. The idea that I'd be sending the headteacher out to get quotes for installing AC whilst the funding crisis is ongoing is painfully laughable....

Agreed.

 

[D1537]

It would be interesting to see just how many days there have been so far over the last 40 years where the temperature has reached “intolerable” (as opposed to mildly uncomfortable) level over a sizeable portion of the country excluding the period 15th July - 31st August as the majority of schools will have been closed for the majority of that period (yes I know that Scottish holidays are earlier, but the problem is generally less acute). I suspect that Year 1 pupils could still count them using the simplest of human counting aides. Doesn’t mean we don’t have consider it now, but does explain why it hasn’t been a priority.

We have been lucky in that the 35-40C of July 2022 took place in what for most schools was their last week before breaking up for the summer, and that this one has happened the week after examinations finish.

If it had been a couple of weeks earlier, the conditions for many students taking exams (which for space reasons are often in areas like sports halls which get very warm) would have been verging on intolerable.

 

[The exile]

If it had been a couple of weeks earlier, the conditions for many students taking exams (which for space reasons are often in areas like sports halls which get very warm) would have been verging on intolerable.

Indeed - I am including this period as one of the so far rare events. Merely responding to those who are expressing surprise that it hasn’t been done already.
Incidentally, wouldn’t be surprised if the prime driver behind a lot of a/c installations in large offices and similar buildings was the need to keep the tech cool, not the people.

 

[Acathater]

Simply whitewashing the windows should make a difference

 

[D1537]

Indeed - I am including this period as one of the so far rare events. Merely responding to those who are expressing surprise that it hasn’t been done already.
Incidentally, wouldn’t be surprised if the prime driver behind a lot of a/c installations in large offices and similar buildings was the need to keep the tech cool, not the people.

Nearly every school has air-conditioning - but only for the network and server rooms, and usually for dedicated computing classrooms.

Teachers of Computer Science often become very popular in a heatwave!

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's certainly true.
I think we should move towards requiring solar panels and a battery packs in all new homes which would heavily mitigate energy usage from cooling.
Of course, if heat pumps are required in all homes, we already have a form a AC being installed - even if our insane politicians try to ensure they can only be used for heating and not cooling.

As long as it's air to air. Air to water isn't effective for cooling, and most UK installations are that (largely because it's cheaper to retrofit to an existing wet heating system if the radiators are big enough).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2026 ==

Nearly every school has air-conditioning - but only for the network and server rooms, and usually for dedicated computing classrooms.

Teachers of Computer Science often become very popular in a heatwave!

Going back to the 90s but ours wasn't, it was inside the building with no windows either! An oven in summer. Theoretically there were roof vents but they didn't do much.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2026 ==

Anyone who's been on the Hong Kong MTR will know the trains can be like stepping into a refrigerator from the already air conditioned platforms. I've never had issues in Spain or Poland (on their AC trains as some don't have it) either on my many journeys there.

To be fair I've rarely had issues on modern kit in the UK either. It's the likes of 158s and 166s that give it a bad reputation, and that's because these are older systems with insufficient capacity.

 

[Dave W]

Indeed - I am including this period as one of the so far rare events. Merely responding to those who are expressing surprise that it hasn’t been done already.
Incidentally, wouldn’t be surprised if the prime driver behind a lot of a/c installations in large offices and similar buildings was the need to keep the tech cool, not the people.

That is true to an extent, but modern AC systems are incredibly helpful to building managers because they provide systemic and (apparently) accurate control of the entire building - i.e. a lot less manual intervention.

My school has been offering the option to parents of withdrawing their child at lunchtime (or not sending at all without penalty) - that means they can focus children on the coolest parts of the building (a weird anachronism is *some* of our rooms are so equipped, but not all!)

 

[HSTEd]

As long as it's air to air. Air to water isn't effective for cooling, and most UK installations are that (largely because it's cheaper to retrofit to an existing wet heating system if the radiators are big enough)

One of my colleagues actually has a cooling capable installation using an air-to-water heat pump.

It apparently works quite well, apart from the issues with condensate.

 

[Bantamzen]

29,000 schools, minimum £10k to do anything related to reducing heat .. that's about £290m. Not too bad, probably won't have much effect

If it becomes a national programme / bigger proper programme, it'll turn into a jobs programme / deal for pals, so inflate that to £100k per school minimum now were at nearly £3bn. Not to mention annual maintenance contracts and replacements every 10/20 years

If this manages to turn into a "scandal" they'll find the money partially and a lot of people will make a lot of money, and it'll probably just be AC set to 26c instead of a multi pronged approach. This country is a mess (short termism doesn't help)

We'll probably get a report (in a couple of heatwave times) that takes 3 years and ends up suggesting the right solution that we can't afford, and an alternative that will make some people some money but not deliver any value.

£10K?? And the rest...

Nearly every school has air-conditioning - but only for the network and server rooms, and usually for dedicated computing classrooms.

Teachers of Computer Science often become very popular in a heatwave!

Ah yes, takes me back to my IT Support days and having the keys to the server room. We actually had desks set up in there, in case of emergencies of course...