If you want a simple split system for one room, expect to pay about £1,500 to £3,000 for everything, including the air conditioner and installation. Bigger units, more rooms or tricky installations will cost extra.
How much does a fitted air conditioner cost?
A wall-mounted split system has one indoor unit and one outdoor unit. For a bedroom, living room or office, a realistic UK budget is £1,500 to £3,000 for supply and installation. OVO’s 2026 guide suggests £1,500 to £2,500 for a single split, but some installers charge more for bigger rooms or complex jobs.
If you want air conditioning in several rooms, the cost will be higher since each room needs its own indoor unit and connections. OVO estimates £3,500 to £6,500 for a two- to four-room multi-split system, including supply and fitting. Ask installers to quote for your specific rooms and compare the cost of a multi-split with separate systems.
A portable air conditioner is a separate option. It needs a window for its hose but does not require permanent installation like a split system.
Published prices around the UK
These examples come from installers’ websites, checked in September 2026. Every price includes the air-conditioning system and standard installation, not just labour. Some are starting prices, while others are guide ranges. The last column lists details the installer explicitly mentions; it does not describe every item in the quote.
| Area and installer | One-room system supplied and fitted | Additional details stated by the installer |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | £1,650–£2,350 | Includes the unit, labour and standard electrical work. |
| Central Scotland | From £2,195 | Daikin indoor and outdoor units, up to 5 m of connections and commissioning. |
| Manchester | £1,800–£2,500 | Installed guide price for a 2.5–3.5 kW single split; exact scope confirmed by quote. |
| West Midlands | £1,950–£2,400 | Indoor and outdoor units, pipework, electrical work and certification. |
| Wiltshire | £1,600–£2,200 | Straightforward supply-and-fit price; long pipework, access and electrical upgrades may cost extra. |
| Cardiff | From £2,000 | System, installation and electrical certification included. |
| London | From £2,200 | Unit, installation, commissioning and VAT included. |
These examples do not show that one region is always cheaper than another. Prices depend on the model, your property and what each installer includes. Ask whether VAT and any extra electrical work are included in your own quote.
What should the installation price include?
Ask your installer to specify the indoor and outdoor units, including their capacity and model numbers. Also, check where the units will be placed and if the quote covers pipework, electrical connections, drainage, commissioning, brackets and trunking.
You should also ask about the product warranty, the installer’s workmanship guarantee and any recommended servicing. This checklist helps you know what details to expect in a quote.
Our sizing guide can help you discuss the capacity quoted for each room.
What can increase the price?
If the refrigerant pipes need to run a long way, it will take more materials and time. Installing an outdoor unit high up or in a hard-to-reach place may also need special equipment.
The electrical setup can affect the price as well. If you need a new circuit or work on your consumer unit, ask for those costs in writing. Bigger systems, more indoor units, a condensate pump or hidden pipework can also increase the bill. Air Conditioning Wiltshire explains these common price changes.
Does VAT apply to air-conditioning installation?
A qualifying air conditioner that is permanently fixed and works as an air-source heat pump may qualify for 0% VAT on supply and installation until 31 March 2027. HMRC says most air-conditioning units are air-source heat pumps, but whether a particular product qualifies depends on the facts. Portable or movable units do not qualify under this rule. Read HMRC’s guidance.
Ask every installer to show the VAT rate on their quote. If you buy the unit separately, do not assume it will get the same VAT treatment as a qualifying supply-and-fit job.
Can you get a grant?
There is a £2,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for eligible air-to-air heat pumps in England and Wales. However, this is a heating-system scheme. Ofgem’s eligibility rules require the system to replace existing heating and have enough capacity for the property’s full space-heating needs. The installer must be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
If you are just adding a split unit to cool a bedroom and keeping your current heating, you probably will not get the grant. Ask a certified installer to check your plans against the latest scheme rules before counting on any grant money.
How can you find a good installer for a fair price?
Take time to compare options. Get a few written, detailed quotes for the same rooms and ask each installer to explain their system. Read recent reviews, especially about how problems were handled after installation. Ask friends, family or neighbours if they would use their installer again. A good recommendation can help you find a reliable installer without overpaying.
Compare the complete job, not just the main price. One quote might include electrical work, longer pipe runs and commissioning, while another lists them separately. Ask about the installation date, warranty and what happens if extra work is needed after the survey.
Anyone installing or working on equipment with F-gas must have the right qualifications.
Do you need permission?
Look at where the outdoor unit will go before you accept a quote, especially if you live in a flat, listed building or rented home. You might need permission from your landlord or freeholder, and you may also need planning permission.
In England, some air-source heat pumps qualify as permitted development. However, systems used only for cooling do not meet that particular condition. If you are not sure, check with your local planning authority, as rules vary across the UK.
Read our planning-permission guide before fixing the outdoor-unit position.
Plan the cost for your home
Before you ask for quotes, write down which rooms you want to cool, their sizes, windows, how much sunlight they get and possible spots for the outdoor unit. This helps installers suggest the right systems for your needs.
If you have not bought air conditioning yet, you can use CostToCool’s free Plan cooling for my home calculator to estimate how much cooling each area needs and what it might cost to run. It does not give installation prices. If you already have a system, the free Calculate my current setup tool estimates running costs. For a supply-and-fit quote, ask an installer.