There was a peak in UK interest for air-to-air heat pump installers during the 2026 Spring heatwave. This, according to The Eco Experts, is likely due to air-to-air heat pumps doubling as air conditioning and being more efficient than air conditioners.
The Eco Experts identified Google Trends Data showing a peak in UK searches for ‘air to air heat pump installer’ during the 2026 Spring heatwave. The data shows that UK search interest for the term ‘air-to-air heat pump installer’ reached its highest possible score of ‘100’, for the first time in a year, during 24-31 May.
These dates coincide with the first heatwave of 2026, suggesting a clear correlation between hot weather and the need to install air-to-air heat pump systems. Interest in this type of heat pump installer only began rising in mid-May (soon before the heatwave was set to arrive), suggesting UK consumers were perhaps preparing to use these heat pumps as a way of managing the hot weather ahead of its arrival.
Air-to-air heat pumps look a lot like traditional air conditioning systems and can do the same job of cooling a room, but also work in reverse to provide heating.
With UK summers getting hotter and winters still requiring heating, such systems offer year-round comfort in one system. Units range from small, single-room setups to large multi-room installations with independent temperature control in each space.
This means these types of heat pumps can be used to cool homes as an alternative to purchasing air conditioning units.
Max Schwertfeger from The Eco Experts says “Heat pumps are definitely a better option than gas boilers to warm your house, but they are also more efficient than air conditioning systems when you want to cool down. This means lower bills in the long term and lower emissions, and the fact you’re only using one piece of technology for both heating and cooling.
“This growing interest in heat pumps is fantastic, especially outside what you might call the traditional season for heat pumps. But we’re not surprised it’s reached this point because heat pumps are incredibly versatile and one of the best investments you can make, whether you’re trying to warm up or cool down.
“Heat pumps are more efficient than air conditioning systems when you want to cool down, but another factor potentially contributing to this peak in interest could be the ballooning price of gas, which has forced Ofgem to raise the energy price cap by 13%.
“This is unlikely to improve anytime soon, which means UK households simply can’t rely on old technology, such as boilers and air conditioning, anymore.”