Domestic air conditioning: typical installed prices
These are typical UK guide prices for a fully-fitted system, including the unit, standard pipe run and commissioning. Your actual price depends on room size, wall construction, pipe run length and outdoor unit position, confirmed at a free site survey.
| System type | Typical fitted price | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Single-split (1 indoor unit) | £1,500–£2,500 | One room: bedroom, living room, home office |
| Multi-split (2–3 indoor units) | £3,000–£6,000 | Two or three rooms from one outdoor condenser |
| Multi-split (4–5 indoor units) | £6,000–£10,000 | Whole-flat or larger home cooling |
| Ducted / concealed system | £5,000–£12,000+ | Discreet whole-property cooling, no visible indoor units |
Figures are typical UK market ranges for 2026, not a fixed quote. A site survey confirms the exact price for your property.
Commercial air conditioning: typical installed prices
Commercial pricing has a wider range because it depends heavily on floor area, number of zones and existing electrical and ductwork infrastructure.
| System type | Typical fitted price | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Small commercial split/multi-split | £3,000–£8,000 | Single office, small retail unit, restaurant dining area |
| VRF / VRV system | £15,000–£50,000+ | Multi-zone offices, larger retail, hospitality, warehousing |
Commercial systems over 12kW cooling capacity require a TM44 inspection every 5 years by law — factor this into ongoing running costs alongside the installation price.
What changes the price
- Room size and heat load — larger rooms, high ceilings and south-facing glazing increase the cooling capacity (and cost) required
- Pipe run length — the distance and route between indoor and outdoor units affects labour and refrigerant pipe cost
- Unit type — wall-mounted is the most cost-effective; ceiling cassette and ducted systems cost more to install but are less visible
- Number of indoor units — multi-split and VRF systems cost more per room than a single-split, but less than fitting separate single-split systems room by room
- Access and property type — flats, listed buildings and conservation areas can add time for consent checks or scaffold access
- Brand and efficiency rating — higher-SEER inverter units cost more upfront and less to run over time
Running costs after installation
Running cost depends on the system's efficiency rating, room size, insulation and hours of use per day, rather than a single UK-wide figure. Modern inverter systems modulate compressor speed to match demand instead of cycling fully on and off, which keeps running costs lower than older fixed-speed units over a typical cooling season. An annual service, typically in the range of £80–£150 per system, keeps efficiency close to the manufacturer's rated performance.
Free survey, fixed quote
Guide prices give you a starting point. A free site survey gives you an exact, itemised quote for your property.
Request a free survey