Air conditioning units sold out as temperatures soar to more than 30c during second summer heatwave
As we prepare for another few days of high temperatures and unbearable hot days and nights, air conditioning units are sold out.
As Lancashire swelters under another summer heatwave, the chances of keeping as cool as a cucumber on the cheap are looking very limited.
Temperatures in Preston tomorrow (Friday) are expected to reach 31C - the same as Jakarta, Indonesia.
And in some parts of the UK, the temperature could hit 36C.
However anyone in the county looking to cool down using an air conditioning unit looks to be out of luck with affordable units unavailable.
More expensive, non portable, air conditioners are available, starting at £2,500, but cannot be installed immediately and customers may have to wait until temperatures have dropped to get their fix of cool air.
Argos and electrical giant Currys are the main sellers of consumer air conditioners in the UK.
But a check with Argos has revealed that all of their six portable air conditioning units have sold out and are unavailable in Lancashire.
They range from the Bush 6.5l Vortex Blade Cooler, which retails at £85 to Meaco 12l at £500.
However, none are available for collection for customers in Preston and surrounding areas.
While Curry’s sells more expensive units, such as a £2,500 device, they all need specialist home installation and are not available during the current heatwave.
Disappointed shoppers who cannot find an air conditioner have been advised of other ways to keep cool over the next few days:
Let in cool air and encourage air flow. Open windows on opposite sides of the house to encourage air flow, but only do this when the air temperature outside is cooler than inside, which tends to be overnight or in the early morning.
Keep warmer air out during the day. In the heat of the day it is best to keep your windows shut and blinds or curtains closed.
Use a fan to enhance the breeze. Fans are a relatively cheap and energy-efficient way to keep air moving and can help you stay cool.
Stay hydrated, wear loose-fitting clothes and take tepid showers. Tepid showers can help to cool your body temperature. The NHS recommends six to eight glasses of water a day, but you may need more in the heat.
Many shops, hotels and leisure centres already offer air conditioned premises to their customers and increasing temperatures during the UK summer months has sparked the debate about whether UK homes will need air conditioning to survive the heat.
Last week Nick Burton, who runs a UK air conditioning firm, said inquiries had skyrocketed as temperatures soared.
"Within a few weeks, I think we're going to see something like we've never seen before," he said. "I don't think there will be many units left in the UK."
He described increasingly hot summers as a "turning point for the industry".