is whole house air conditioning becoming more common?? are public buildings\shops air conditioned??

Yes.

I am SO glad I got it. Cool on summer, warm in winter and the solar panels make it virtually free.😷

Slowly, yes, for homes, but likely mainly in new homes designed to use, and fitted with, with air-source heat-pump systems that can work "in reverse" to cool the home.

However, a lot of householders are installing such systems in existing homes that are suitable for this- not all are.

Public and commercial buildings in the UK have been using air-conditioning for decades, with some of those systems reversible to act as coolers or heaters.