Demand for air-conditioning units is expected to increase as it is very likely that the UK will experience hotter summers and more heat waves (UK Climate Impacts Programme 2002). However, running conventional air conditioning units uses electricity and therefore causes carbon dioxide emissions, so government and ecologically-aware consumers are seeking low carbon alternatives to conventional air conditioning. The small air-con business may benefit from increased demand in the short term, but in the longer term need to diversify into low energy alternatives to help their customers cool their homes and offices.
