What air conditioning costs for your home
As a rough guide for 2026, a single-room wall-mounted system costs somewhere around £1,500–£3,000 supplied and installed, a multi-room system £3,000–£6,000 or more, and a whole-home ducted system £5,000–£15,000+. Portables are cheaper to buy (£250–£1,000) but cost more to run. These are guide prices only — your quote depends on the system, your property and where you are.
Guide prices only
These are indicative 2026 figures; real prices vary widely by system, property, access and region (London and the South East tend to be highest). Always get a fixed quote from an F-gas-certified installer. (Researched June 2026.)
Typical installed prices (2026)
| System | Typical installed cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portable | £250–£1,000 | No installation; cheaper to buy, more to run |
| Single-split (one room) | £1,500–£3,000 | Wall-mounted; usually a one-day job |
| Multi-split (2–4 rooms) | £3,000–£6,000+ | One outdoor unit, several rooms; 1–3 days |
| Ducted (whole home) | £5,000–£15,000+ | Concealed; best fitted during a build/renovation |
Including the unit, installation and standard pipework. Premium brands sit at the higher end.
What moves the price
- Capacity and number of rooms — bigger systems and more indoor units cost more.
- Brand and efficiency — premium and higher-efficiency units carry a premium (but cost less to run).
- Installation complexity — long pipe runs, awkward access, working at height, and electrical upgrades all add cost.
- Property and location — labour rates are highest in London and the South East.
- Making good — routing pipes through walls and ceilings, and tidying up afterwards.
Always ask whether the quote includes the electrical connection, commissioning and any making-good, so you’re comparing like with like.
Don't forget running and upkeep costs
The purchase price is only part of the picture. Also budget for:
- Running costs — an efficient inverter split typically costs in the region of 8–15p per hour to cool a room (a portable, more like 20–25p). See running costs.
- Servicing — a routine annual service is roughly £80–£150, with occasional filter changes on top.
Over a system’s life, an efficient, well-sized unit usually saves more than a cheaper one costs less.
The honest take: a portable looks cheapest on day one, but for anything beyond occasional use a fixed wall-mounted split is usually the better value — quieter, far more efficient, and it heats as well as cools. And remember: if you’re using a reversible system to replace a fossil-fuel boiler, you may now qualify for a grant — see grants and incentives.
Know exactly what to ask for
Build a free, impartial plan for your space — the right system, the size each room needs, and what good kit looks like. We don't sell or fit units.