Air conditioning, explained
New to air conditioning?
Most UK homes have never had it, so it's normal not to know where to start. Here's the plain version: what it is, what size you'd need, what it costs, and whether it suits your place.
Gas Safe registered · Refcom F-Gas certified · across Essex, Suffolk & Cambridgeshire
What it actually is
The kind of air conditioning most homes start with is a single-split system. That's one unit on the wall inside the room, one unit outside, and a thin pipe connecting the two. One system looks after one room.
It isn't just for summer. The same unit runs in reverse to warm the room in winter, so you get quiet, efficient climate control all year round. It earns its keep in the colder months too.
Other ways to do it
If you'd rather not have a box on the wall, ask us about a tidier setup. The indoor unit can go up in the loft instead, with the cool or warm air fed down through small vents set into the ceiling, so there's nothing on show in the room itself. Depending on the layout, one loft unit can sometimes serve more than one room.
Want several rooms done with wall units instead? That's a multi-split, with a few indoor units running off one outdoor unit.
Both depend on your property, so we take a look and quote job by job rather than off a price list. Send us the details and we'll take it from there.
What size do I need?
Units come in three sizes. As a rough guide, the bigger the room, the more powerful the unit needs to be.
Small
2 kW
Smaller rooms like bedrooms, studies and home offices.
Medium
3 kW
Mid-sized rooms that need a bit more grunt.
Large
5 kW
Bigger rooms and open-plan spaces.
Not sure which fits? You don't need to work it out yourself. Just tell us your room and we'll size it for you.
What does it cost?
A single-split install starts at £1,350. You pick the brand and the size, and that sets the price. It's fixed: the unit, the fitting, setting it running, and registering the warranty are all included, and VAT is already in the figure. The fixed prices cover Haier, Bosch and Daikin. Want a different make? We can fit that too — ask and we'll quote it.
We take a 30% deposit when you book, and the rest is due once the job's done. Prefer to spread the cost? Klarna is available.
Already got AC and just need it looked after? An annual service is £108 for one indoor and one outdoor unit.
Is it right for your place?
Our fixed-price install is for a straightforward, single-room setup. You can usually go ahead at the fixed price if all three of these are true:
- It's for one room, not the whole house.
- The outdoor unit can sit low on the same outside wall as the indoor one.
- Your fuse board is the newer type with trip switches (RCD-protected), not an old rewireable one.
Doesn't quite match? No problem, that's what the quote is for. Answer a few quick questions and you'll either get the fixed price or we'll flag that yours needs a closer look first.
Common questions
What's a single-split system?
One unit inside the room, one unit outside, joined by a thin pipe. One system handles one room. It's the most common setup for a home.
Does it heat as well as cool?
Yes. The same unit runs in reverse to warm the room in winter, so it works all year round, not just in a heatwave.
How do I know what size I need?
Units come in small (2 kW), medium (3 kW) and large (5 kW), roughly matched to how big the room is. You don't have to guess. Tell us about your room in the quote and we'll size it for you.
What will it cost?
Single-split installs start at £1,350, fixed and including VAT, with the final price depending on the brand and size. We take a 30% deposit at booking and the balance on completion. Klarna is available if you'd rather spread it.
Do I need anything special in my house?
For the fixed-price install: a newer-type fuse board with trip switches (RCD-protected), and room for the outdoor unit to sit low on the same outside wall as the indoor one. If that's not your setup, we can still quote it as a one-off.
Can I cool more than one room?
Yes, that's a multi-split, with several indoor units running off one outdoor unit. Those are made to measure, so send us the details and we'll quote it.
Can I have it without a unit on the wall?
Often, yes. The indoor unit can go up in the loft instead, with the air fed down through small vents in the ceiling, so there's nothing on show in the room. It's made to measure, so send us the details and we'll quote it.
Do you service air conditioning too?
We do. An annual service is £108 for one indoor and one outdoor unit, and it keeps the system efficient and the warranty valid.
Gas Safe registered · Refcom F-Gas certified · Klarna available
Ready to see what it'd cost for your room?
Answer a few quick questions about your room and we'll tell you the price, or flag if yours needs a closer look first.
Get your AC quote