Air Conditioning Cost Guide London — What You’ll Pay in 2026
Air conditioning costs in London vary significantly depending on the system type, property size, and number of rooms. This guide gives you real figures — not ranges so wide they are meaningless. For a full list of our installation services, visit our AC installation page.
Air Conditioning Installation Costs in London (2026)
| System type | Typical installed cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single wall-mounted split | £1,200 – £2,200 | One room, one outdoor unit |
| Multi-split (2 rooms) | £2,800 – £4,500 | Two indoor units, one outdoor unit |
| Multi-split (3–4 rooms) | £4,500 – £7,500 | Full flat or small house |
| Ceiling cassette (office) | £1,800 – £3,500 | Per zone, per unit |
| Concealed ducted system | £6,000 – £15,000+ | Whole-house, high-spec |
For domestic installations, wall-mounted splits are the most common and cost-effective choice. For commercial installations, ceiling cassettes and VRV systems suit larger spaces.
What Affects the Price?
System Capacity (kW)
Larger rooms need more powerful systems. Correct sizing at survey stage is the single most important factor in getting value from an air conditioning installation.
Pipework Runs
Short, clean pipework runs cost less. Period properties require more careful routing — see our guide to AC in Victorian properties for details.
Brand
We install and recommend Daikin as the default — the combination of reliability, efficiency, and warranty support is unmatched. Mitsubishi Electric and Fujitsu are strong alternatives.
Annual Running Costs
A correctly sized inverter split unit running 8 hours per day for four summer months typically costs £80–£180 per year in electricity. All our installed systems qualify for the extended manufacturer warranty when serviced annually — see our maintenance and servicing page.
Annual Service Cost
A full annual AC service costs £150–£250 depending on system size. This covers filter cleaning, refrigerant pressure check, coil inspection, and drainage test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air conditioning expensive to run in London?
Not with a modern inverter system. Running costs are typically £100–£200 per year for a single-room split used through summer.
Are cheaper quotes safe to accept?
Be cautious of quotes significantly below market rates. F-Gas certification is a legal requirement — unqualified installations are illegal and void insurance.
What about flats?
See our guide to AC for London flats for specific cost considerations around freeholder consent and shared buildings.
Get a Fixed-Price Quote
We provide fixed-price, all-inclusive quotations after a free site survey. Call 020 7870 2333 or book via our installation page.
Simply Air Conditioning London — F-Gas certified installation, servicing and repair since 2009.