Can fitting air conditioning boost your home’s value? Experts reveal how to maximise the ROI if you install it and you’re not in your forever home

We've already experienced three heatwaves so far this year, and the summer isn't over yet. And with UK homes designed to retain heat rather than repel it, it's unsurprising that people are turning to permanent cooling installations to maintain comfort levels over summer.

Fitting air conditioning is becoming a much more popular solution for those wanting to create relief from the sky-high temperatures that we've seen over the last few summers. I myself have had it in my own home for more than a year, and count it as one of the best upgrades I've ever made.

But if you aren't in your forever home and you plan on selling up in the not-too-distant-future, is it still worth installing in order to boost your home's resale value? I asked the experts what they thought.

Can air conditioning add value to a home?

With high temperatures becoming more commonplace, air con units also capable of providing heating in winter, as well as units becoming more readily available and affordable, it's definitely becoming a sought-after feature.

'Air conditioning is fast becoming a must-have in the UK as our summers get hotter and hotter,' explains Karl McArdle, co-founder of The Property Buying Company. 'Not that long ago, having aircon would've been seen as a bit of a luxury, but now more buyers are starting to see it as a genuine game-changer in the comfort stakes, especially in new build homes, apartments and those south-facing properties that get scorching hot.

'While it's not going to have the same wow factor as a loft conversion or a swanky new kitchen, aircon can still help your home stand out from the crowd and give you a bit of an edge when it comes to sale price, especially in the higher end of the market where buyers are increasingly expecting the works.'

How much value could air conditioning add to a property?

On average, experts suggest that fitted air conditioning could add 1-3% to a property's value, as well as making it more attractive to buyers, which can lead to a quicker sale.

'As a guide, a decent energy-efficient system can add up to 3% to a property's value, and during a hot summer it can be the detail that makes a buyer choose your home over a similar one down the road - especially in warmer parts of the country like London and the South East,' says Cal Graham, property expert at We Buy Any Home.

Karl agrees, saying: 'For the right property, a high-quality system could add somewhere in the region of 1-3% to the value. On a home worth around £300,000, that's roughly £3,000 to £9,000. In many cases though, the real value isn't just the extra money, it's attracting more buyers, selling faster and giving sellers a stronger hand when it comes to negotiating offers.'

But depending on your installation, and where you live, the value added may not cover the cover the cost of the install, but it's not the end of the world as Cal explains: 'Buyers rarely pay a straight pound-for-pound return on the installation cost, so it's best thought of as an aid to a faster sale as much as a pure value-adding factor.'

How to maximise how much value air conditioning can add

If you're thinking of selling your home in the not too distant future, then it's worthwhile understanding how you can maximise the value that installing air conditioning may add.

'The key is to treat it like any other quality home improvement,' say Cal. 'Choose a modern, energy-efficient system, and ideally one that also heats as buyers increasingly care about running costs and EPC ratings.

'Use a reputable, certified installer and keep all the paperwork, warranties and servicing records to hand, because buyers and their surveyors will want to see them.

'Position units discreetly so they don't spoil the look of a room or exterior, and check whether you need planning permission or freeholder consent before you start.

Could fitting air conditioning ever devalue a property?

While fitting air conditioning can add value to your home, that's only if it's done well. If not, or without the correct permissions, then it could end up having the opposite effect.

'Air conditioning systems can devalue a property, and this is where people can get caught out,' explains Cal. 'Bulky external condenser units that look out of place or interior units that dominate a room can put off buyers and make a home feel less desirable.

'An old, noisy or poorly maintained unit can also be a red flag as a future repair bill rather than a benefit.'

You should also be mindful to seek permission from the local planning authority before going ahead with an installation, in case air conditioning isn't allowed.

'In listed buildings or conservation areas, an installation done without the right permissions can create a real headache when it comes to selling.'