What will air conditioning cost me?

How air conditioning is priced

Every home is different, but the same few things decide the price. Here they are in plain words.

1. Sizing the unit

A unit is sized to the room, in kilowatts (kW). Too small and it runs flat out without keeping up. Too big and it wastes energy switching on and off. Room size matters most, then things like big windows, a sunny aspect and how well the room holds its heat. A 3.2 kW unit, such as the Haier Revive, suits a typical single room. We check the right size at the visit.

2. How many rooms

Each room usually gets its own indoor unit. More rooms means more units and more work, so the price goes up with each room. An open-plan space is one room, but a large one can need a bigger unit.

3. Where the outdoor unit goes

The outdoor unit needs a spot outside with air around it, on a wall bracket or on the ground. An outside wall close to the room is simplest. A spot that’s high up or hard to reach takes more work. Our starting price is for a back-to-back system, where the outdoor unit sits directly behind the indoor unit on the same outside wall.

4. The pipe run

The indoor and outdoor units are joined by a pipe run: the refrigerant pipes, a cable and a drain for the water the unit takes out of the air. A short, straight run costs less than a long one that has to go round corners or between floors. Our starting price includes up to 3 metres of pipework and trunking.

5. The electrical supply

The unit needs a suitable fused supply. In our starting price we power it from a local fused circuit, then test the electrical work and certify it to BS 7671. More about air conditioning.

6. Servicing

A yearly service keeps the unit clean and running efficiently. We offer one every year, from £120 + VAT per unit.

Common questions