Air Conditioning Services

Air Conditioning Installation

Domestic air conditioning installation

Whether you’re cooling a single home office or fitting a system across a whole house, we match your enquiry with independent local installers who cover domestic air conditioning installation in your area. We don’t install anything ourselves — the survey, the fitting and the guarantee on the work all come from the installer you choose, not from us.

The main system types

Single-room split systems pair one indoor unit with one outdoor condenser, and are the simplest way to cool a single space such as a bedroom, home office or living room.

Multi-split systems connect several indoor units to one outdoor condenser, so more than one room can be cooled without a separate outdoor unit for each. This is generally the more practical route once you’re looking at two or more rooms.

Portable units don’t need a permanent installation and can be moved between rooms, but they’re generally less efficient than a fixed system if you’re cooling a room regularly rather than occasionally. An installer can talk you through whether a fixed system suits your needs better than a portable one.

Which of these makes sense for your property depends on room sizes, how the space is used, and where pipework and an outdoor unit can realistically go — which is exactly what an installer’s survey is for.

How the quote-matching process works

Tell us about the property and what you’re looking to cool, using the form below. We pass your enquiry to independent installers covering your area, who will typically want to see the property, or at least discuss it in detail, before confirming a firm price — room size, wall construction, pipe runs and access all affect the job. You can then compare what each installer offers before deciding who to go with.

What affects the price

The table above gives typical UK price ranges by system type, but three things move the number for your particular job: how many rooms need a unit, which system type suits the property, and how much pipework and electrical work is involved in getting from the outdoor unit to each indoor unit. A straightforward single-room fit in a modern house is usually quicker and cheaper than a multi-room retrofit in an older property with limited routing options.

If you’re ready to compare quotes, get in touch or fill in the form below with a few details about the property.

Typical UK price ranges for domestic air conditioning installation
System typeTypical price range*
Single-room split system£1,500–£2,500
Multi-split system (2–3 rooms)£3,000–£6,000
Larger multi-split or whole-home system£6,000+

*Indicative UK market ranges only, not a quote. Your actual price depends on the size and layout of your property, the number of rooms, the system and brand chosen, and how straightforward the installation is — confirmed by the installer(s) who quote you.

Frequently asked questions

What does air conditioning installation actually involve?
A typical domestic installation fits an indoor unit (or units) inside the property and an outdoor condenser unit outside, connected by refrigerant pipework and an electrical supply. The installer surveys the property first to work out where units can go, how the pipework will run, and what size system the space needs, before agreeing a final specification and price with you.
Do I need planning permission to install air conditioning in the UK?
It depends on your property and location. Many houses can have an outdoor condenser unit fitted under permitted development rules, subject to conditions such as its size and position, but flats and maisonettes usually need planning permission for external alterations, and listed buildings or conservation areas often carry extra restrictions. An installer surveying your property should be able to tell you whether permission applies, and your local planning authority can confirm it.
Can I have air conditioning installed in a flat?
Often, yes, but it usually needs planning permission or the freeholder's consent for the external condenser unit, since the permitted development rights that cover houses don't generally extend to flats. It's worth raising this early with whoever quotes you, so it can be factored into the timeline.
How much does air conditioning installation cost?
Cost depends mainly on the number of rooms being cooled, the type of system, and how much pipework and electrical work the job needs. The table on this page gives typical UK ranges by system type, but the only way to get an accurate figure for your property is a quote from an installer who has seen the job.
How long does an installation usually take?
A single-room split system can often be fitted within a day. Multi-split systems covering several rooms, or installations needing more extensive pipework, typically take longer — an installer will be able to give you a realistic timescale once they've surveyed the property.
What's the difference between a split system and a multi-split system?
A split system pairs one indoor unit with one outdoor condenser, and is usually used to cool a single room. A multi-split system connects several indoor units — one per room — to a single outdoor unit, which is generally more practical, and can work out more cost-effective than fitting a separate outdoor unit for every room, once you're cooling more than one part of a property.