Air conditioning for new builds
A new build is the ideal time to fit air conditioning — designing it in from the start is far cheaper and tidier than retrofitting later, and it opens up options (like fully concealed ducted systems) that are awkward to add to a finished home. Modern, airtight homes also overheat more easily in summer, which makes cooling increasingly worth planning for.
What makes new builds different
- Design-in opportunity — pipework and ductwork can go in before walls and ceilings are closed.
- Concealed systems become viable — ducted is far easier and cheaper at build stage.
- Well-insulated and airtight — lower heating load, but more prone to summer overheating.
- Coordination — the system should be planned alongside the build and the home’s ventilation.
- Future-proofing — getting the infrastructure in now saves disruption later.
Design it in, and coordinate with ventilation
Because everything’s open during construction, a new build is the one time you can run a ducted system invisibly and place outdoor units cleanly — so it’s worth deciding early, in coordination with your builder. New homes often also have mechanical ventilation (such as MVHR) for fresh air; air conditioning is a separate system that handles heating and cooling, but the two should be planned together so they complement rather than fight each other (see ventilation vs air conditioning).
Systems we’d recommend: ducted — the natural fit for a discreet, whole-home system designed in at build stage; multi-split for several rooms; VRF for large homes with many zones.
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.