Start with the rooms you want to make more comfortable. A bedroom that overheats at night has different needs from a sunny conservatory or a garden office used all year. Tell each installer the same requirements so their proposals are easier to compare.
What affects the installed price?
The installed price depends on the equipment, number of rooms, pipe runs and access. Use these questions to compare quotes for your home.
| Cost factor | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Rooms & capacity | Which rooms are included, and how was the equipment sized? |
| Equipment | What are the exact indoor and outdoor model numbers? |
| Pipe runs & access | Are longer runs, pumps, scaffolding or difficult access extra? |
| Electrical work | Is the necessary electrical supply included in this quote? |
| Finish & aftercare | Are making good, commissioning, warranty and the first service included? |
Ask for the total payable, including any applicable VAT and exclusions. Compare itemised quotes following a survey rather than relying on a headline equipment price.
Get a price for your actual home
Describe your rooms and preferred timing. An installer can then advise on a survey and suitable equipment.
Request an installation quote →Which home air conditioning system?
| System | Things to consider |
|---|---|
| Wall-mounted split | A visible indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Discuss placement, noise, pipework and drainage. |
| Multi-split | Several indoor units connected to one outdoor unit. Ask how the system performs when rooms run together. |
| Ducted | Air distributed through ducts and grilles. Check available ceiling space, installation disruption and maintenance access. |
| Fully internal / water-cooled | An option offered by some specialists where an outdoor condenser is unsuitable. Ask about water consumption, connections and operating costs. |
Some air conditioning systems also heat the home. Air-to-air heat pumps deliver heating through the air and generally do not provide domestic hot water. Read the Energy Saving Trust’s air-to-air heat pump guide for independent background.
How to choose an aircon installer
Check that the business regularly works on homes like yours. Ask for recent domestic installation examples, the name of the contracting business, relevant insurance and a written quotation.
For work involving F gases, ask for the company’s certification and the engineers’ relevant qualifications. The GOV.UK company certification guidance explains these requirements.
Ask the installer and the relevant local authority what permissions or building-control requirements apply to your property. Flats, leasehold properties and protected buildings can need additional consent. Resolve this before ordering equipment.
Your quote checklist
Send the same brief to two or three suitable installers:
- Your home: postcode, property type and whether you own or rent.
- Your rooms: room dimensions, floor level and anything that makes them particularly hot or cold.
- Your priorities: cooling, heating, bedroom noise, appearance or running costs.
- Your timing: preferred installation window and access restrictions.
- Your expectations: an itemised total, exact models, proposed layout and all exclusions.
- Your aftercare: labour and equipment warranties, servicing conditions and support arrangements.
Before paying a deposit, confirm the contracting company, payment schedule, cancellation arrangements and what happens if the proposed installation changes.
Common questions
Can I get a quote without a home survey?
An installer may give an initial estimate from photographs and measurements. Ask whether it is fixed or subject to survey, and which assumptions could change the price.
Does aircon need ongoing maintenance?
Ask the installer for the maintenance schedule for your exact equipment, including filter care, professional servicing and warranty conditions. Include these costs when comparing proposals.