Air conditioning costs
Installation and running costs, price guides by system type, and the factors that move the price up or down.
How much does air conditioning cost?
Air conditioning costs fall into two parts, and it helps to keep them separate. The first is what you pay to buy and fit the system: from £300 to £650 for a portable, up to £1,500 to £3,000 for a single wall split supplied and fitted, and £4,500 to £10,000 or more for a whole-home multi-split or ducted setup. The second is what it costs to run once it is in. This hub sets out both, so you can budget honestly before you commit.
For the full breakdown of installation prices by system type, our guide to how much air conditioning costs walks through each option and the things that push the price up or down, from the number of rooms to how far the outdoor unit sits from the indoor one. Running cost is the other half of the sum: a typical unit costs roughly 13p to 52p per hour, based on the Ofgem price cap of 26.11p per kWh for July to September 2026. Our guide to what it costs to run shows how to work that out for your own home.
None of this is cheap, and we would rather be straight about that than talk you into a system you do not need. For a single room used now and then, a portable and good habits may be all you want. For a home you own and use hard through summer, a fitted split earns its keep in comfort and lower running costs. These figures were correct at July 2026 and are meant as a guide, so always get written quotes for your own property before you set a budget.
Cost guides
How much does ducted air conditioning cost?
Real UK installed prices for ducted (concealed) air conditioning in 2026 by number of rooms, what moves the cost, how it compares with multi-split, and when the whole-home finish is worth the premium.
6 Aug 2026
How much does home air conditioning cost?
Real UK prices for home air conditioning in 2026, by system type, plus running costs, the hidden extras and what moves the price up or down.
22 Jun 2026
Is home air conditioning worth it?
An honest UK cost-benefit look at home air conditioning: when it earns its money, when it does not, and how to tell which side of the line you are on.
15 Jun 2026Air conditioning costs: common questions
How much does it cost to install air conditioning in the UK? +
It ranges widely by system. A portable needs no installation and costs £300 to £650 to buy. A single wall-mounted split is roughly £1,500 to £3,000 supplied and fitted, while cooling a whole home with a multi-split or ducted system runs from £4,500 to £10,000 or more. A refrigerant split must legally be fitted by an F-Gas certified engineer, which is part of that cost.
How much does air conditioning cost to run? +
As a rough guide, air conditioning costs around 13p to 52p per hour to run, depending on the size of the unit and how hard it is working. That is based on the Ofgem price cap of 26.11p per kWh for July to September 2026. A small, efficient unit cooling one room sits at the lower end, while a larger system on a hot day sits nearer the top.
Is a portable cheaper than a fitted split in the long run? +
It depends on how much you use it. A portable is far cheaper to buy at £300 to £650, against £1,500 to £3,000 for a fitted split, so for occasional use in one room it stays cheaper overall. A fitted split is quieter and cheaper to run, so if you cool a room hard every summer the lower running cost can close the gap over the years.
Are there any grants for air conditioning? +
There is one grant worth knowing about. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £2,500 towards an air-to-air heat pump, which is what a reverse-cycle air conditioner is. It is run by Ofgem in England and Wales and must be fitted by an MCS certified installer. Most standard cooling-only units will not qualify, so check the current rules before you count on it.
More guides
Once you know the numbers, our buying guides help you choose the right unit, installation covers getting it fitted, and you can browse every guide in one place.
Get a price for your home
The most accurate cost is a quote for your own rooms. Compare accredited local installers, or browse units and typical prices first.