How to Install Air Conditioning in Your Home and What It Costs
How can I get air conditioning – With rising summer temperatures and frequent heatwaves, more families are looking for ways to stay cool in their homes. Retailers have reported surging interest in air conditioning units, as stock disappears quickly from shelves and online sales reach capacity. While air con is standard in cars, hotels, and public spaces, residential properties have traditionally focused on insulation and heating systems rather than cooling. Is it now necessary to bring this technology into most British homes?
Types of Air Conditioning Systems
There are three primary options for domestic use: portable units, split systems, and ducted systems. Portable air conditioners are designed for single rooms, requiring only a power outlet and a window for exhaust. They operate by pulling in warm air, reducing its temperature, and expelling the heat outdoors through a pipe. Split systems consist of two components—one indoor and one outdoor—connected by a pipe. The external unit functions as a condenser, releasing heat into the environment. According to LG, these systems can be tailored to individual rooms or expanded to cover multiple areas.
Ducted air con systems provide whole-house cooling by distributing cooled air through a network of ducts. However, they typically involve significant modifications to existing structures. British Gas highlights that ductless systems are increasingly popular for UK households, but ducted setups demand more extensive work, such as installing hidden piping.
Cost Variations and Installation
Prices for air conditioning systems vary greatly. Portable units are the most budget-friendly, with Checkatrade reporting average costs between £350 and £650. Some retailers, like Lidl, have temporarily lowered prices to as low as £149 for cooling devices, though this may not be standard. Split systems, which include wall-mounted indoor units, generally range from £750 to £1,100 per unit. However, these figures exclude installation expenses, such as connecting to the home’s electrical system, which Heatable estimates can push total costs to £2,000–£3,500 for a single unit.
Ducted systems are the priciest option, starting at £990 to £1,750 without installation. Heatable notes that fitting ducting or modifying walls can increase the overall price to £5,000–£10,000, depending on property size and complexity. The scale of these systems is often determined by BTU ratings, which measure cooling capacity. A higher BTU number corresponds to a larger room, and thus a more expensive unit.
Energy Use and Environmental Impact
After installation, energy costs depend on the system type. Which? states that running expenses “vary wildly,” with a basic portable unit adding 25p–40p per hour to electricity bills. While air con offers relief during extreme heat, its reliance on electricity raises concerns. Energy prices have climbed steadily, meaning regular use could lead to higher overall bills. Environmental groups also warn about the ecological footprint of these systems, particularly the refrigerants used for cooling.
Portable units are often praised for their ease of use and mobility, making them a practical choice for renters or those in historic homes. However, they are less energy efficient than split systems, which are more effective at cooling and typically cost less to operate. Ducted systems, though expensive to install, offer the most comprehensive cooling but require major structural changes.
“A typical portable air conditioner adds roughly 25p to 40p an hour to your electricity bill,” says Which?.
