Cost of Installing Air Conditioning

Are you considering getting air conditioning installed at your home?

If so, you may be wondering about the costs involved with this type of work. In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about installing home air conditioning, including the price, supply costs, labour costs, and any additional costs that may come up with this type of work.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Air Conditioning?

Along with revealing the costs for such an installation, we will also reveal what's involved in installing air conditioning, the different types of air conditioners, the rules, and some tips on hiring contractors to install your air conditioning system.

The cost of air conditioning installations in your home will vary depending on several factors. These factors can include the types of air conditioning units you choose, the size of the unit, the brand, and the installation requirements.

So, how much does air conditioning cost?

A permanent air conditioning unit installation can cost around £550 - £2000. This is for a floor or wall-mounted unit that is sometimes also known as a split duct air conditioner system.

Window air conditioner systems tend to cost around £650 - £1200. This is for the cost of materials and labour. However, the air conditioning prices will depend on the power and size of your chosen unit.

Air Conditioning Installation Prices

Below, we have provided a table showing the estimated cost of installing an air conditioning unit. This includes the prices of materials and labour where appropriate.

Supply Only Costs

If you are planning on installing the air conditioning unit yourself or if you're planning on buying your air conditioner first and then hiring someone to install it for you, then you might be interested in learning more about the supply costs for this type of work.

This is the price you will pay for the air conditioning unit itself without factoring in the cost of the labour side of the job.

The price you pay for an air conditioner will depend on the type of air conditioner and the brand you choose. It will also vary depending on the size of the system. Below is a list of different types of air conditioners and the prices that you can expect to pay:

• Freestanding air conditioner - £150 - £350
• Window air conditioning - £500 - £1000
• Floor/wall mounted air conditioner - £450 - £2000

Additional Costs

When it comes to installing air conditioning, there are several additional costs that you may need to consider. Below is a list of the additional costs that you may need to budget for with this type of installation:

Plastering

When you get your air conditioning installed, it may require some moderations to the wall. This means that you may need some plastering work done after the installation. In most cases, you’ll only need a small patch of the wall plastered. A professional plasterer will usually charge around £100 for this work.

Loft Insulation

Insulating your home can reduce your heating costs in the winter, but it can also help with the cooling costs in the summer. Effective loft insulation can help you to reduce air conditioning running costs as it can prevent the cool air from escaping through the roof.

You can usually expect to pay around £2.50 per square metre for this type of work.

Draught Proofing

Draughts coming through the home can affect the cold and warm air that enters your home. If your home is prone to draughts, your new air conditioning system may have to work harder to keep the home cool.

With this in mind, it's a good idea to assess if your windows and doors need to be replaced or if you need some draught proofing installed. New uPVC windows usually cost around £150 - £400 per window.

Labour Costs and Timescales

If you plan on buying your air conditioning unit separately and then hiring contractors to come and fit it for you, you may be curious about the cost of labour alone. This is the price you will pay a contractor without factoring in the cost of the unit itself.

The average cost to hire a Gas-Safe tradesperson is around £150 - £200 per day. Depending on the size of the unit and the difficulty of the installation, a contractor may work alone or in pairs. If they work in pairs, the price may increase to around £300 per day.

If you are getting a window air conditioner installed, this will need to be properly positioned and secured in place. A window air conditioner will usually take around a day to install. Other types of air conditioner units will usually take around half a day or less to install.

The labour costs will vary across the UK. Those in the London area can expect to pay more for the work than those in the North or other parts of the UK. If you need any additional electrical work done in your home to accommodate your system, this will add some additional costs to the job.

Cost Factors of Installing Air Conditioning

Several things can affect the overall cost of installing an air conditioning system. Below is a list of things that you may need to consider before getting your air conditioner installed:

Type of Air Conditioner

The type of air conditioning unit that you choose can affect the overall cost of the job. Larger and more powerful systems tend to cost more than smaller air conditioners.

Be aware when selecting your system that it needs to have enough power for your needs. If it doesn't, the running costs may be higher as the AC unit may have to work much harder and longer in order to achieve the desired results.

Ease of Access

The ease of access may affect how long it takes to complete the installation. The longer the installation takes to complete, the more you can expect to pay in labour costs.

If the area where your air conditioner is being installed has not been cleared of clutter, you will likely have to pay additional labour fees for the time it takes to move these items out of the way.

Location of Your Property

The location of your home can also affect the overall cost of the job. The labour costs will vary across the UK. Those based in the London area can expect to pay more for the work than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.

Electrical Works

In addition, electrical works can also add additional fees to the total cost of the job. If you need any additional electrical work done in your home in order to accommodate your system, this will add some additional costs on to the job.

What's Involved in Installing Air Conditioning?

If you are wondering how an air conditioner is installed, take a look at the steps involved below:

• Choose the right window for your air conditioning unit. This should be a sash or sliding window that can accommodate the side of the unit
• Most window air conditioning units will be outside the house. You may need to fit brackets to help support the unit's weight and add stability
• The unit will be positioned in the window frame. There will usually be a rail along the bottom that fits into the recess of the window frame and a bar on top that fits against the window when it’s closed
• Once the unit is positioned in the window frame, it is usually secured with locks to prevent the window from opening
• The side screens on the air conditioning unit will now be adjusted into the correct position to block off the window opening and secure it into place
• Once secured, you can turn on the air conditioner and test it to ensure everything is working properly

Can I Install an Air Conditioning System Myself?

Since there are refrigerant agents, the installation of a permanent or semi-permanent air conditioner should be carried out by a professional Gas-Safe engineer or a qualified air conditioning specialist. The chemicals present can be highly toxic, and the installation requires specialist knowledge, so this isn't a DIY job.

If you don't have your air conditioning unit professionally installed, this could cause serious health risks and may affect the safety of your property. A DIY installation may also invalidate your home insurance.

If you are purchasing a freestanding air conditioning unit, you can install it yourself. These are usually stand-alone units that simply need to be plugged in and refilled with water or ice.

Types of Air Conditioning Systems

There are several different types of air conditioners. Below, we will go over the different types of air conditioning units and the pros and cons of each type:

Portable Air Conditioner

A portable air conditioner is sometimes also referred to as a spot cooler. These types of air conditioners are used as a cheap alternative to permanent systems. This is best for homes where the demand for air conditioning is not that frequent.

Portable air conditioner units usually start at around £150.

PROS

• ✔ Can be stored away when not in use
• ✔ Transportable
• ✔ Easy to set up
• ✔ Cheap

CONS

• ✖ Must be positioned close to a window for the extractor vent
• ✖ Not as effective at cooling larger rooms
• ✖ It can be quite bulky

Floor and Wall Mounted Air Conditioner

Floor-mounted air conditioning units are most commonly attached to a wall but at a lower height. These consist of two main parts, which include the compressor outside the home and an air outlet unit which can be seen inside the home.

The prices for these air conditioners start at around £450 and can increase to up to around £2000.

PROS

• ✔ These are generally the most cost-effective air conditioning units to run
• ✔ They are subtle in their appearance
• ✔ It can be easily expanded to cover multiple rooms

CONS

• ✖ They require yearly maintenance
• ✖ You may be limited on where you can put it due to the pipework and functionality

Window Air Conditioner

Window air conditioners help to optimise airflow by exchanging the internal warm air with external cool air. This is all within a single unit. These are most commonly used in older homes or flats.

PROS

• ✔ Quite a low noise output when in use
• ✔ It can be placed in a window opening or wall hole
• ✔ Some models are portable

CONS

• ✖ It can obscure the window views
• ✖ It requires a sash window
• ✖ It may require support structures such as brackets or a reinforced framework

Hiring Contractors to Install Air Conditioning Checklist

There are several you will need to consider before hiring someone to install a new air conditioning system for you. Below is a list of the main things you should consider when searching for the right contractor for the job:

• Does the contractor offer any guarantees with the work?
• How much will the work cost to complete? – Ask for a breakdown of the costs so you know you are paying a good price for each element of the job
• What type of air conditioners does the company offer?
• Is the engineer well experienced in fitting the type of air conditioning system you are purchasing?
• How many years' worth of experience does the contractor have in fitting air conditioning systems?
• Will the contractor fix any issues that may come up with the system?
• Is the engineer on the Gas Safety Register?

FAQs

Sources

https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/global-cooling-the-history-of-air-conditioning