Manchester comes 44th of 91 towns and cities in our UK Air Con Index, with an average summer high of 21.1°C between 2016 and 2025. That's cooler than the south, but around a third of homes here are flats, and city-centre apartments, along with the converted mills and warehouses of Ancoats and the Northern Quarter, can still get uncomfortably warm in a heatwave. The installers below cover the city, and the postcode search will find companies for Salford, Trafford, Stockport, and the rest of Greater Manchester.
Air con for flats and rented homes
Only around 37% of Manchester homes are owner-occupied, so for many people the first step is permission from a landlord, freeholder, or managing agent rather than the council. Our guide to air conditioning for flats explains what to ask for, and what to consider if a split system isn't allowed, from a through-wall unit to a portable. In a house, and Manchester has plenty of Victorian terraces in places such as Levenshulme, Chorlton, and Rusholme, a wall-mounted split with the outdoor unit at the back is the usual choice. Manchester City Council handles planning in the city itself: in England a reverse-cycle unit that heats as well as cools is often permitted development, while a cooling-only unit generally needs planning permission.
Choosing an air con installer
The engineer fitting a split system must be F-Gas certified, and you can check the company on the REFCOM register before you sign. If you'd like the system to heat the whole home in place of fossil-fuel or electric heating, choose an MCS certified installer, since they're the ones who can claim the £2,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for air-to-air heat pumps. Once it's in, plan on a yearly service to keep it running efficiently.
Installers covering Manchester
Professional air conditioning maintenance in Manchester. Keep your system running smoothly, energy efficient, and reliable. Contact HoulkAir today.
Envirocool provide servicing for Split air conditioning, VRF airconditioning units and commercial airconditioning units
Based across the North West of the UK, we are a team of leading air conditioning & refrigeration contractors carrying out installation and repair services.
F-Gas registered air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump specialists covering Manchester and the wider North West. Directly employed engineers, no subcontractors, no shortcuts.
Established in 1985 Ultra cooling are a family ran business who specialise in all Air Conditioning & Refrigeration needs, from emergency repairs,installations to Service and maintenance, Based in Stockport.
Contact Our Air Conditioning Experts Today. Whatever you require we're here to help you every step of the way. Speak to our North West engineers today.
AC units Manchester, Bradford: GDI Air Conditioning helps with supply, installation, maintenance and repairs of air conditioning units so call us for a free estimate.
Connect with our expert Air Conditioning Contractor for all your cooling needs. Connect today to schedule a consultation or get a quote.
Discover expert commercial air conditioning installation and maintenance services tailored to your needs and budget.
Manchester is 44th of 91 towns and cities in the UK Air Con Index. Ranked on summer heat, overheating-prone housing, and affordability.
See the full rankingAir conditioning costs in Manchester
We give national figures rather than a Manchester price list, because the job matters far more than the postcode. Across the UK, a wall-mounted split system for one room typically costs around £1,500 to £2,500 supplied and fitted, while a portable unit costs roughly £300 to £650 and is often the only option in a rented flat. Quotes from the installers above will vary with the room, the pipe run, and any electrical work, so compare a few in writing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does air con cost in Manchester?
Across the UK, a single-room wall-mounted split system typically costs around £1,500 to £2,500 supplied and fitted, and a portable unit roughly £300 to £650 with no installation. A Manchester quote will depend on the size of the room, the pipe run between the indoor and outdoor units, and whether you need a new electrical circuit, so compare two or three written quotes.
Can I get air con in a rented flat in Manchester?
You'll need your landlord's written permission for any fitted system, and in most apartment blocks the freeholder or managing agent has to agree to an outdoor unit too. If that isn't possible, a portable air conditioner vents through a window kit and needs no installation, no F-Gas engineer, and no planning permission, so it's the simplest option for many renters.
Do I need planning permission for air con in Manchester?
In England, a reverse-cycle unit that heats as well as cools is often permitted development, while a cooling-only unit generally needs planning permission. Flats, listed buildings, and conservation areas face stricter rules, and upper-floor siting often rules out permitted development. Check with Manchester City Council, or with Salford, Trafford, or Stockport if you live outside the city, before work starts.
How do I choose an accredited air con installer in Manchester?
Anyone fitting a split system must be F-Gas certified, and the REFCOM register lets you check a company before you sign. Ask for a written quote naming the exact unit, the pipe run, and any electrical work. If the system will replace fossil-fuel or electric heating and you want the £2,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, the installer must also be MCS certified.
Is air con worth it in Manchester?
Manchester's summers are milder than the south's, with an average high of 21.1°C over 2016 to 2025, but flats and converted mill apartments can still overheat. A reverse-cycle system also heats in winter, so it earns its keep all year rather than for a few hot weeks, which makes the cost easier to justify than a cooling-only unit.