How much does air conditioning cost in the UK?
Air conditioning in the UK costs from around £350 for a portable unit to over £2,800 for a large split, multi-split or ceiling cassette system, with fully ducted central air conditioning running to £10,000+ installed. Below you will find everything you need to budget — prices by type, room size and BTU, brand, installation, running costs and planning permission.
Air conditioning prices at a glance
Typical UK unit prices. Installation is extra for fixed systems.
| System type | Unit price | Installation | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable air conditioners | £350 – £650 | No installation cost — plug in and vent through a window | Renters and single rooms |
| Split-system air conditioners | £750 – £1,090 | From £1,500 – £2,500 fitted (single room) | Bedrooms, living rooms and home offices |
| Multi-split systems | £1,200 – £2,800+ | £2,500 – £5,000+ depending on number of indoor units | Cooling several rooms from one outdoor unit |
| Window / through-the-wall units | £300 – £700 | Self-install possible in a suitable frame | Small rooms with a standard window opening |
| Ceiling cassette systems | £1,000 – £1,800 | £2,000 – £3,500 fitted (needs a ceiling void) | Open-plan rooms, offices and commercial spaces |
| Ducted / central systems | £990 – £1,450+ (unit) · £4,000 – £10,000+ fitted | Requires home renovation — concealed ducting in ceiling or walls | Whole-home, multi-room climate control |
Types of air conditioning — and what they cost
Portable air conditioners
£350 – £650The most affordable way to cool a room. Single-hose units are cheapest but less efficient; dual-hose models cool faster and use less energy. No installer needed.
Split-system air conditioners
£750 – £1,090A wall-mounted indoor unit connected to an outdoor compressor. Quieter and far more efficient than a portable, with most modern units doubling as heat pumps for winter.
Multi-split systems
£1,200 – £2,800+One outdoor compressor drives two to five indoor units, so each room gets its own temperature control without a compressor on every wall.
Window / through-the-wall units
£300 – £700A single box unit that slots into a window or wall sleeve. Compact and affordable, but noisier than a split system and limited to smaller spaces.
Ceiling cassette systems
£1,000 – £1,800A discreet four-way cassette recessed into a suspended ceiling, distributing air evenly across larger or open-plan rooms. More installation work than a wall split, but invisible from below and ideal where wall space is limited.
Ducted / central systems
£990 – £1,450+ (unit) · £4,000 – £10,000+ fittedThe largest investment, integrated into the building fabric to serve multiple rooms or a whole house. We can match you with a specialist installer to scope and quote the work.
Air conditioning cost by room size (BTU)
The bigger the room, the more cooling capacity (measured in BTU) you need — and the higher the price. Use our BTU calculator to size yours exactly, then match it to the price band below.
| Cooling capacity | Typical room size | Unit price (inc VAT) | Installed (split) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000–9,000 BTU | Up to 20 m² · small bedroom | £350 – £750 | £1,500 – £2,000 |
| 10,000–12,000 BTU | 21–30 m² · bedroom / living room | £750 – £1,090 | £1,800 – £2,500 |
| 12,000–18,000 BTU | 31–45 m² · open-plan room | £1,090 – £1,800 | £2,200 – £3,500 |
| 18,000+ BTU | 46–75 m² · large / commercial | £1,800 – £2,800+ | £3,000 – £5,000+ |
Installation ranges assume a single split system with standard pipework; multi-split, cassette and ducted systems cost more.
How much does air conditioning cost by brand?
Brand is the other big price driver. Premium Japanese names command a premium for reliability and warranty; value brands deliver similar features and efficiency for considerably less.
Premium Japanese
£900 – £1,800 (split)Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, Toshiba
Long-term reputation, quiet operation and generous warranties.
Korean premium
£800 – £1,600 (split)LG, Samsung
Strong smart-home integration and stylish finishes.
Value & OEM
£450 – £1,000 (split)Gree, Midea, Hisense, Haier, TCL, electriQ
Comparable efficiency and features for far less — popular with UK buyers.
UK & specialist
£350 – £900 (portable / split)EcoAir, Sealey, Woods, Devola
Reliable portables and entry-level splits for homes and workshops.
What affects the cost of air conditioning?
Cooling capacity (BTU)
Larger rooms need more BTU and a bigger, pricier unit.
System type
Portables cost least; split and cassette cost more; ducted central systems cost most.
Number of indoor units
Multi-split systems scale with each extra room served.
Installation complexity
Long pipework runs, difficult outdoor-unit access and ceiling voids add labour.
Brand & build quality
Premium Japanese and Korean brands command a reliability premium.
Efficiency & smart features
Higher energy ratings and built-in Wi-Fi/voice control nudge the price up but lower running costs.
What it costs to run and service
The purchase price is only part of the picture. Running cost depends on the unit's power output (kW) and how often you use cooling or heating — and a yearly service keeps it efficient and within warranty.
Electricity usage
Varies by unit power output (kW) and how often you run cooling or heating. A modern inverter split system holds your set temperature efficiently, so a typical living room costs only a few pence per hour to cool.
Annual service
A professional service typically costs £70 – £120 per unit to clean components and check refrigerant levels — essential to keep fixed systems quiet, efficient and under warranty.
Planning permission for air conditioning
Most domestic, reversible air-source heat pump and air conditioning installations fall under permitted development in the UK, meaning you usually do not need planning permission. You may need it if:
- The outdoor unit would cause a noise nuisance to neighbours.
- You live in a listed building or a conservation area.
- You own a flat with a shared freehold or leasehold.
Any split or multi-split system must be installed by a qualified F-gas engineer to stay legal and keep your warranty valid. Our installer-matching service connects you with vetted local engineers.
Air conditioning costs — your questions
How much does air conditioning cost in the UK?
Air conditioning in the UK typically costs between £350 and £1,450 for the unit itself. Portable units are the most affordable at around £350–£650, single-room split systems sit around £750–£1,090, and ducted central systems require the highest investment — often £4,000–£10,000+ fully installed because of the building work involved.
What is the cheapest type of air conditioning?
Portable air conditioners are the cheapest to buy (£350–£650) and need no installation — you simply plug them in and vent the hose through a window. They are ideal for renters or for cooling a single room, though they are noisier and less efficient than a fixed split system.
How much does a split-system air conditioner cost to install?
A single-room split system unit costs around £750–£1,090, with professional F-gas-certified installation typically adding £1,500–£2,500 depending on pipework length and where the outdoor unit is mounted. Multi-split systems cost more but let several rooms share one outdoor compressor.
How much does it cost to run an air conditioner in the UK?
Running cost depends on the unit's power output (kW), your electricity tariff and how often you use it. A typical 2.5 kW inverter split system cooling a living room usually costs only a few pence per hour to run. Inverter technology and heat-pump heating keep winter running costs far lower than traditional electric heaters.
How much is an annual air conditioning service?
An annual professional service typically costs between £70 and £120 per unit. It cleans the filters and coils and checks refrigerant levels, which keeps the unit efficient, quiet and within warranty.
How much does air conditioning cost per room size?
Cost scales with cooling capacity (BTU). A 5,000–9,000 BTU unit for a small bedroom up to 20 m² costs around £350–£750; a 10,000–12,000 BTU unit for a 21–30 m² bedroom or living room costs £750–£1,090; a 12,000–18,000 BTU unit for a 31–45 m² open-plan room costs £1,090–£1,800; and an 18,000+ BTU unit for a 46–75 m² large or commercial space costs £1,800–£2,800+. Installation adds £1,500–£5,000+ for fixed split systems depending on capacity and pipework.
How much does a ceiling cassette air conditioner cost?
A ceiling cassette unit typically costs £1,000–£1,800, with installation adding £2,000–£3,500 because it must be recessed into a suspended ceiling void. Cassettes suit open-plan rooms and commercial spaces where even, four-way airflow and a discreet look matter.
How much does air conditioning cost by brand?
Premium Japanese brands such as Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric typically cost £900–£1,800 for a split system; Korean brands like LG sit around £800–£1,600; value and OEM brands such as Gree, Midea, Hisense and Haier cost £450–£1,000 for comparable features and efficiency; and UK or specialist brands like EcoAir and Sealey range from £350 for a portable to £900 for an entry-level split.
Do I need planning permission for air conditioning in the UK?
Most domestic, reversible air-source heat pump and air conditioning installations fall under permitted development, so you usually do not need planning permission. You may need it if the outdoor unit would cause a noise nuisance, or if you live in a listed building, a conservation area or a flat with a shared freehold. A split or multi-split system must always be installed by a qualified F-gas engineer.
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