TM Hughes & Son Gas Services Ltd

22/08/2026

2027 Could Be The Hottest Year On Record — And Air Conditioning Is Set To Cost More

The Met Office is warning of an El Niño event which could be the largest in more than a century.

Forecasters say 2027 is very likely to replace 2024 as the warmest year on record globally.

As of today, the 2026 summer is on course to be the warmest overall since records began in 1884.

If this summer has shown us anything, it’s that waiting for the next heatwave is leaving it too late.

There’s also a second reason to act now…

Qualifying domestic air conditioning installations are currently 0% VAT.

From 1 April 2027, the VAT rate is scheduled to rise to 5%.

Essex homeowners are getting ahead of the VAT rise and planning their Air Conditioning now.

Beat the summer rush. Beat the VAT rise. Beat the heat.

Air Conditioning systems installed from £1300

Book your FREE no-obligation air conditioning survey and quote today.

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2027 Could Be The Hottest Year On Record — And Air Conditioning Is Set To Cost More The Met Office is warning of an El Niño event which could be the largest in more than a century. Forecasters say 2027 is very likely to replace 2024 as the warmest year on record globally. As of […]

15/08/2026

If you’re picturing a noisy portable air conditioner beside the bed, fitted air conditioning is very different.

Portable units keep the compressor inside your room.

Which means you get the cool air… but you also get the noise.

A professionally fitted split air-conditioning system works differently.

The compressor sits outside your home, while the indoor unit quietly circulates cool air around your bedroom.

In fact, some modern indoor units can operate from as little as 19 dB(A) on their quietest setting.

To put that into perspective…

• Modern split air conditioning: from 19 dB(A)
• Soft whisper: around 30 dB
• Fridge: around 40 dB
• Portable air conditioning: often above 40 dB(A)
• Normal conversation: around 60 dB

Exact figures vary depending on the model, fan speed, system condition and how the sound is measured.

But the important point is this:

Cooling your bedroom doesn’t have to mean listening to a noisy portable air conditioner all night.

And it isn’t only the air conditioning unit that matters.

Good installation matters too.

The position of the indoor unit, pipework and outdoor compressor can all affect how your system sounds inside the bedroom.

That’s why we look at the room and property before recommending where and how a system should be installed.

We provide:

Air conditioning installation from £1,300

Free home surveys across Essex

No-obligation quotes

F-Gas registered engineers

So if you like the idea of walking into a cool bedroom on a hot summer night — without swapping the heat for a noisy machine beside your bed — we can talk you through the options for your home.

Already have air conditioning? Does it seem louder than it used to?

Blocked filters, loose parts and faults can make a system louder. If you’ve noticed a change in noise levels, it may be time to have it checked and serviced.

Servicing and repairs from £100

Link in comments

If you’re picturing a noisy portable air conditioner beside the bed, fitted air conditioning is very different. Portable units keep the compressor inside your room. Which means you get the cool air… but you also get the noise. A professionally fitted split air-conditioning system works different...

08/08/2026

This Air Conditioning Myth Could Add 25% To Your Running Costs…

It's 30°C outside.

Your home feels like the inside of an oven.

So you grab your remote...

Dialling the temperature down to 16°C, hoping it'll cool your room faster.

Unfortunately...

Your air conditioner doesn't work like a car accelerator.

It doesn't suddenly produce more cold air because you picked the lowest number.

Whether you set it to 21°C or 16°C, your system is already working as hard as it can to cool the room.

The difference comes later.

Once your room reaches around 21°C, a system set to 21°C eases off and simply maintains the temperature.

A system set to 16°C keeps trying to make the room colder.

Which means...

More electricity.

Higher bills.

No real benefit if you only wanted a comfortable room.

In fact, government guidance suggests that increasing your thermostat by just 1°C can reduce energy use by around 5%.

That means running your system at 16°C instead of 21°C could use roughly 25% more electricity over time.

So if 21°C is the temperature you actually want...

Set it to 21°C.

Not 16°C.

You'll probably save yourself money every single day your air conditioning is running.

A few other things that make a surprisingly big difference:

✔ Keep doors and windows closed

✔ Close blinds on sunny windows

✔ Switch the system on before the house becomes unbearably hot

✔ Use Cooling mode—not just Fan mode

And here's the one almost everyone ignores...

Have your air conditioning serviced regularly.

Dirty filters, blocked airflow and worn components force your system to work much harder than it should.

If your air conditioning seems to run all day but never really cools the room...

Turning it down to 16°C isn't the answer.

It likely needs servicing.

At TM Hughes & Son, we install, service and repair air conditioning systems across Essex.

✔ Installations from £1,300

✔ Servicing & repairs from £100

✔ Free home surveys and no-obligation quotations

The link is in the comments.

07/08/2026

This Air Conditioning Myth Could Add 25% To Your Running Costs…

It's 30°C outside.

Your home feels like the inside of an oven.

So you grab your remote...

Dialling the temperature down to 16°C, hoping it'll cool your room faster.

Unfortunately...

Your air conditioner doesn't work like a car accelerator.

It doesn't suddenly produce more cold air because you picked the lowest number.

Whether you set it to 21°C or 16°C, your system is already working as hard as it can to cool the room.

The difference comes later.

Once your room reaches around 21°C, a system set to 21°C eases off and simply maintains the temperature.

A system set to 16°C keeps trying to make the room colder.

Which means...

More electricity.

Higher bills.

No real benefit if you only wanted a comfortable room.

In fact, government guidance suggests that increasing your thermostat by just 1°C can reduce energy use by around 5%.

That means running your system at 16°C instead of 21°C could use roughly 25% more electricity over time.

So if 21°C is the temperature you actually want...

Set it to 21°C.

Not 16°C.

You'll probably save yourself money every single day your air conditioning is running.

A few other things that make a surprisingly big difference:

✔ Keep doors and windows closed

✔ Close blinds on sunny windows

✔ Switch the system on before the house becomes unbearably hot

✔ Use Cooling mode—not just Fan mode

And here's the one almost everyone ignores...

Have your air conditioning serviced regularly.

Dirty filters, blocked airflow and worn components force your system to work much harder than it should.

If your air conditioning seems to run all day but never really cools the room...

Turning it down to 16°C isn't the answer.

It likely needs servicing.

At TM Hughes & Son, we install, service and repair air conditioning systems across Essex.

✔ Installations from £1,300

✔ Servicing & repairs from £100

✔ Free home surveys and no-obligation quotations

The link is in the comments.

This Air Conditioning Myth Could Add 25% To Your Running CostsIt’s 30°C outside.Your home feels like the inside of an oven.So you grab your remote…Dialling the temperature down to 16°C, hoping it’ll cool your room faster.Unfortunately…Your air conditioner doesn’t work like a car accelera...

31/07/2026

Is Air Conditioning Heating Cheaper Than Gas Heating?

Most homeowners compare it the wrong way.

Most people compare air conditioning vs gas heating.

But that’s not the comparison that really matters.

The real question is…

Why heat your entire house when you’re only using one room?

Think about it.

If you’re working from your home office…

Watching TV in the living room…

Or getting an early night…

Why pay to heat spare bedrooms, hallways and every radiator in the house?

Using current UK energy prices, heating an average room costs around:

🔥 Gas boiler & radiator: 13–15p per hour

❄️ Air conditioning: 14–16p per hour

🔌 Plug-in electric heater: Around 50p per hour

For producing the same amount of heat, air conditioning can cost surprisingly close to a modern gas boiler.

The difference isn’t the heat.

It’s where the heat goes.

A gas boiler heats radiators throughout your home.

An air conditioning heat pump heats the room you’re actually using.

Once that room reaches the temperature you’ve chosen, it automatically reduces its energy use to maintain it.

So instead of paying to heat empty rooms…

You’re heating the room you’re actually sitting in.

What about really cold weather?

Like any heat pump, air conditioning becomes less efficient as outdoor temperatures fall.

In typical UK winter conditions (around 5°C to 15°C), running costs should stay close to the figures above.

During prolonged freezing weather, running costs may rise to around 20–22p per hour when heating a typical room.

That’s still less than half the estimated running cost of a comparable plug-in electric heater.

Gas may still cost less for producing the same amount of heat.

But air conditioning lets you heat one room without running your entire central heating system.

And when summer returns…

The very same system keeps that room comfortably cool.

Cool in summer.

Efficient heat in winter.

One system. Every season.

Air conditioning installations start from £1,300.

We offer free home surveys and no-obligation quotations across Essex.

(Running costs are estimates only and will vary depending on your electricity and gas tariffs, room size, insulation, outdoor temperature and the efficiency of the system installed.)

Air Conditioning From £1300 +VATServicing & Repairs From £100+ VATContact us for a free no-obligation quoteCall: 0800 234 3075Email – [email protected] Hughes & Son Gas Services5.0powered by GoogleStuart5 days agoAs ever Pawel carried out the boiler service swiftly and efficiently. He r...

20/07/2026

The school holidays have begun, and over the next few weeks thousands of Essex families will check into air-conditioned hotels where something quietly spoils them...

A cool bedroom.

A peaceful night's sleep.

No waking up at 2am because the room feels like an oven.

No fan blasting warm air around while you desperately try to get comfortable.

You probably won't think much of it while you're away.

Until you get home.

You unpack the suitcases, climb into bed... and suddenly remember exactly what your hotel bedroom felt like…

Cool

Comfortable

A joy to sleep in

It's one of the biggest reasons more Essex homeowners are choosing air conditioning. Not because it's a luxury, but because they're tired of losing sleep every summer and don't want to dread the next heatwave.

Modern air conditioning systems are whisper-quiet, energy-efficient, and can even heat your home during the colder months—making them useful all year round, not just during the hottest weeks.

If you've spent a few nights enjoying a perfectly cool hotel room, why settle for anything less in your own home?

✔ Air conditioning installation from £1,300

✔ Servicing and repairs from £100

We'll happily give you honest advice, carry out a free home survey, and provide a no-obligation quote.

Enjoy your holiday...

Then come home to a bedroom that's just as comfortable.

Link in comments.

Air Conditioning From £1300 +VATServicing & Repairs From £100+ VATContact us for a free no-obligation quoteCall: 0800 234 3075Email – [email protected] Hughes & Son Gas Services5.0powered by GoogleCarl Winter3 days agoWas very happy. There was no "upsell" or completing unnecessary work....

12/07/2026

It's 11pm.

Your bedroom still feels like an oven.

Your fan is making more noise than difference.

The windows have been open all evening, yet your house still won't cool down.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.

England has just recorded its hottest June on record, and here in Essex we've already seen prolonged hot weather, temperatures into the mid-30s, warm nights and very little rain.

Now we're only halfway through July, with more hot weather still to come.

For many homeowners, this has been the summer they realised that fans and open windows don’t work.

That's why more people across Essex are choosing air conditioning—not as a luxury, but as a way to enjoy a cool, comfortable home and finally get a proper night's sleep.

And when winter arrives, the same system provides an efficient way to heat your home too.

If you've spent the last few weeks saying, "We really should look into air conditioning," now is the perfect time.

✔ Air conditioning installation from £1,300

✔ Servicing and repairs from £100

We offer honest advice, a free home survey and a no-obligation quote, so you can decide whether it's the right solution for your home.

Get in touch today and enjoy the rest of this summer in comfort. Link in the comments.

Air Conditioning From £1300 +VATServicing & Repairs From £100+ VATContact us for a free no-obligation quoteCall: 0800 234 3075Email – [email protected] Hughes & Son Gas Services5.0powered by GoogleKay Silver7 hours agoI have used T.M.Hughes a number of times over the years and it’s be...

03/07/2026

This week has been cooler across Essex, but it looks like the heat isn’t finished yet.

With temperatures forecast to climb back towards 30°C next week, now is a good time to beat the heat once and for all.

After the recent hot spell, a lot of homeowners noticed the same problem:

Bedrooms too warm at night.
Home offices are uncomfortable during the day.
Conservatories, extensions and loft rooms are difficult or even unbearable to use.

Whether you’re considering a new air conditioning installation, or your existing system needs a service or repair, we can help.

Air conditioning installation from £1,300
Servicing and repairs from £100

Book your free quote or service visit — link in comments.

Air Conditioning From £1300 +VATServicing & Repairs From £100+ VATContact us for a free no-obligation quoteCall: 0800 234 3075Email – [email protected] Hughes & Son Gas Services5.0powered by GoogleDave Huckle2 days agoFirst time of using this company and very impressed with communicatio...

26/06/2026

Last time we posted about the heat, Essex was under an amber warning.

Since then, we’ve had more homeowners asking about air conditioning — and today, with red weather warnings in parts of the country and temperatures here reaching 37°C, it’s easy to see why.

That jump has made one thing very clear: a lot of homes simply aren’t comfortable in this level of heat.

Modern, well-insulated homes are great in winter, but during a heatwave, they can hold onto heat for days.

Bedrooms are too hot to sleep in.
Home offices are too uncomfortable to work in.
Conservatories, extensions and loft rooms can feel almost unusable.

And we’re still only at the end of June, with the rest of summer still ahead.

With cooler weather expected next week, now is a good time to get things sorted before the next hot spell arrives.

Whether you’re thinking about a new air conditioning installation or your existing system needs a service or repair, we can help.

Air conditioning installation from £1,300
Servicing and repairs from £100

Book your free quote or service visit — link in comments.

Air Conditioning From £1300 +VATServicing & Repairs From £100+ VATContact us for a free no-obligation quoteCall: 0800 234 3075Email – [email protected] Hughes & Son Gas Services5.0powered by GoogleRobert Tooke2 days agoUsed TM Huges last week .I would highly recommend them as they were ...

19/06/2026

The hot weather has returned — and a lot of Essex homes are feeling it.

With an amber heat warning this week and temperatures reaching 30°C+, many homeowners are wishing they had air conditioning installed, or had their existing system serviced.

An air conditioning system can make a real difference to bedrooms, home offices, loft rooms, extensions and conservatories during heatwaves.

We’re currently helping homeowners across Essex with:

Air conditioning installation from £1,300
Servicing and repairs from £100

So whether you’re looking to install air conditioning for the first time, or need your current system checked, serviced or repaired, now is the time to get it booked before the next rush.

Book your quote or service visit — link in comments.

Air Conditioning From £1300 +VATContact us for a free no-obligation quoteCall: 0800 234 3075Email – [email protected] Hughes & Son Gas Services5.0powered by GoogleRob S14 hours agoReceived a very quick response to my call re. leaking pipe. Engineer visited within the hour. Great service....