These 2 appliances got me through the heatwave – and you can get them | UK | News

From where? Because I’ve finally done something my American wife has been wanting me to do since moving to England; I invested in not one but two specific products.

Air conditioning is standard in most homes in the United States. Here in Britain it’s still a luxury. But after last week’s heatwave, I can honestly say that purchasing two air conditioning units was one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.

The difference is striking. These portable units cool the room in minutes and after a sweltering day, there’s no substitute for coming home to a lovely 16°C living room.

Even better, I keep one unit in the lounge at all times and the other in the bedroom, which means the whole flat stays cool. While my colleagues complain about another sleepless and sweaty night, I happily enjoy uninterrupted sleep, although I try not to exaggerate it.

Of course, this level of comfort doesn’t come cheap. I bought the Meaco MeacoCool MC Series 10000R Portable Air Conditioner which costs around £400. However, it’s energy efficient, with a Class A energy rating, so keeping it cool shouldn’t send your electric bill through the roof.

It’s also surprisingly versatile. Apart from its air conditioning mode, it can also be used as a fan in milder weather or even as a heater in winter, making it useful all year round.

Despite its cooling power, it is relatively compact; It is 34.8 cm deep, 35 cm wide and 70.1 cm high. It’s also quieter than I expected, making it perfectly suitable for nighttime use.

With another heatwave predicted next week, I know exactly where I’ll be; inside, enjoying what might have been the best £800 I’ve ever spent.