As temperatures threaten to hit 40C across England and Wales, UK drivers risk fines of up to £110 for sitting in stationary cars with the air conditioning running – just as Lidl releases a new range of cooling products to help households beat the heat.
Motorists attempting to cool down while idling face penalties under emissions laws. In London, Islington Council enforcement officers issue £110 fines to those who refuse to switch off an idling engine after being asked. Standard fines are £40 if issued by a police officer, or £80 from a civil enforcement officer, both halved if paid promptly. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Air conditioning is a gamechanger in modern vehicles, making otherwise uncomfortable journeys by road a genuinely pleasant experience. But while we’re all desperate to stay cool, just sitting in the car with the engine and air-conditioning running and going nowhere isn’t advisable. Due to the air pollution this causes, you risk a fine from a police or civil enforcement officer.”
“Drivers risk £110 fines for idling with AC on as heatwave nears 40C and Lidl launches cooling range from £3.99.”
The extreme heat – which could surpass the UK’s all-time high of 40.3C measured in Lincolnshire in July 2022, and break the June record of 35.6C set in Hampshire in 1976 – has prompted a Met Office amber warning for Friday covering eastern and central England. People have been warned to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm as the severe heat is expected to cause a danger to life.
For those seeking refuge indoors, experts recommend opening windows on opposite sides of the house to encourage airflow, but only when the outside temperature is cooler than inside, which tends to be overnight or early in the day. Prof Mike Tipton of the University of Portsmouth says fanning the face improves thermal comfort most, but fanning the whole body helps lower body temperature more. However, he warns that using a fan when temperatures are above 35C may make things worse, as you are ultimately directing hot air towards your body. The Energy Saving Trust says 24 hours of continuous fan use costs between 15p and 31p, while air conditioning costs £4.84 to £6 for the same period.
Enter Lidl, which from tomorrow will stock a Tronic 3-in-1 air conditioner for £149, offering air conditioning, fan cooling and dehumidifying modes – the latter also preventing mould. The range includes a £14.99 portable air cooler with three speed settings and a dimmable LED light, a £17.99 tower fan, a £59.99 bladeless fan, a £7.99 portable fan, and a £14.99 bladeless mini desk fan. Cooling bedding options include a £3.99 Livarno ColdTouch Pillowcase and a £6.99 TopCool Pillow. For pets, a £4.99 Zoofari Dog Cooling Mat is also available.
With the heatwave expected to linger late into the week, the Met Office has warned of impacts on public health, infrastructure, power and water supplies, and a likely increase in water safety incidents as more people visit coastal areas, lakes or rivers.