Why homes here get so hot
The borough's housing stock is a big part of the problem. Georgian townhouses around Richmond Green, Victorian terraces in Twickenham and East Sheen, tall villas in Barnes split into flats: solid brick walls that soak up heat all day and let it go again in the evening, single-glazed sash windows, and loft rooms and rear extensions that are baking by mid-afternoon. London nights also stay warmer than the surrounding countryside, so the house never gets a proper chance to cool down, and upstairs rooms can be uncomfortable for weeks at a stretch.
The good news is that these homes respond well to modern split systems. A split is also a reversible air-to-air heat pump, so it can heat rooms cheaply in winter as well as cool them in summer, which is useful in a draughty period property. One honest caveat: the government's heat pump grant covers air-to-water systems only, so air-to-air installations do not qualify. What you would actually pay depends on the property and how many rooms you want covered; our guide to air conditioning costs in the UK sets out realistic ranges, and our guide to air conditioning in Victorian homes covers the period-property specifics in more depth.
Conservation areas, leasehold and older wiring
Much of the borough sits within conservation areas, including central Richmond, Barnes and stretches of the riverside. That does not rule out air conditioning; it means the placement of the outdoor unit needs checking with the council before anything goes on an external wall, and listed buildings need checking too. Never assume, and be wary of any installer who tells you not to bother.
- Flats and leasehold homes, common in converted villas here, almost always need freeholder consent before work starts.
- Period properties often have older wiring, and some need an electrical inspection or a consumer unit upgrade before a system can go in. A decent installer will check this at the survey stage rather than spring it on you later.
Where Coolhouse is up to in Richmond
We will be straight with you: our vetted installer network is currently live in Hertfordshire, and we do not yet have installers in Richmond upon Thames. We are building the network out and south-west London is on the list, but we are not going to promise a fast local quote we cannot deliver. If you leave your details, we will tell you honestly where we are up to and get in touch when vetted installers cover your area. In the meantime, our estimate tool will give you a realistic sense of cost for your home.