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UK cost guide

Air Conditioning Installation Cost UK 2026

UK home air-conditioning installation costs for wall-mounted split systems, ducted units and common electrical extras.

Last reviewed: 1 September 2026 · Sources & data · Methodology

Typical planning costAround £1,900 for a 12,000 BTU wall unit installed
Broader project rangeAbout £1,580–£2,270 before some electrical extras
Planning figures are estimates rather than quotations. Live calculators combine dated UK benchmarks with clearly separated modelling assumptions such as region, size, condition and specification.

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What affects the cost?

Domestic air-conditioning cost depends on system type, cooling capacity, number of indoor units, pipe runs, outdoor-unit access and electrical work. Multi-room and ducted systems cost materially more than a single wall-mounted split.

  • Wall-mounted or ducted system
  • BTU capacity
  • Number of indoor units
  • Pipe and condensate runs
  • Outdoor condenser access
  • Electrical supply upgrades

Typical cost breakdown

12,000 BTU wall unitAround £750
Wall-unit installationAround £1,150
12,000 BTU ducted ceiling unitAround £990
Ducted-unit installationAround £1,750
Possible electrical work£400–£700

Regional planning examples

The examples below apply our published modelling factor to the same national benchmark. They are not claimed as observed city-wide average quotes.

London£2,000–£2,900 / 12k BTU wall unit
Manchester£1,500–£2,150 / 12k BTU wall unit
Birmingham£1,550–£2,200 / 12k BTU wall unit
Glasgow£1,500–£2,150 / 12k BTU wall unit
Cardiff£1,450–£2,050 / 12k BTU wall unit

Sources used for this guide

Checkatrade

Air Conditioner Installation: Cost Breakdown 2026

Published / checked: Updated August 2026; cost table last updated May 2026

Used for: Wall-mounted and ducted air-conditioning unit, installation and electrical-work benchmarks

View source ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much does home air conditioning cost to install?

A current benchmark for a 12,000 BTU wall-mounted system is about £750 for the equipment plus around £1,150 installation, before some electrical extras.

Is ducted air conditioning more expensive?

Yes. Ducted systems typically have higher equipment, labour and ductwork costs than a single wall-mounted split unit.

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