Air conditioning installation costs

gabbro86

Hi all,
As many others I'm sure, after these first few days of heat I've decided to start looking at having wall air con units installed in two bedrooms of the house. My son's bedroom got to 28 degrees at 8pm yesterday...
Shopped around a bit and found a company called BOXT, which are quoting £2.5k for one unit and its installation. The unit by itself would cost about £750, so £1.75k for installation?? My parents in Italy spent €1k for a similar sized unit! I understand it's a different market (much more demand in Italy, I guess...) but I still think the price is a bit steep. I'm wondering what other people's experiences are with BOXT and/or different installers out there.

moneysaver1978

I was considering one last year and I thought a portable version would suffice for a single room. Otherwise something like a heat pump which is surely more effective.

Tiexen

For 2 rooms you will need 3 units, 2 inside + and an outdoor unit then you will need pipes (power and refrigerant gas) connecting the 2 indoor units to the one outdoor the outdoor unit will take power from your fuse box

I paid £2500 for the above but it was a few years ago.

Rodders53

What make and model?  and power rating is the unit suggested by Boxt?
Is that one outdoor unit to two indoor units in the bedrooms (a multi-split pack) or a single room install?  Some brands are more expensive than others.  Some models in the range are premium/designer look vs entry level, basic.
Ceiling mount outlets vs wall mount costs are different, too.

Unit is one price, pipework another, wall/floor brackets a bit more, electrics another cos, ducting to make pipework look pretty.  Then there's the diamond core cutter, ladders or scaffold work platform.  F-gas registration and training. Brazing tools, perhaps?

Call round a few HVAC companies in your area for prices.  You'll find them all rather busy just now, though.

PS You do realise you officially need Planning Permission for any air to air HP cooling unit(s)?

CliveOfIndia

Is there any reason a couple of portable units wouldn't do the job?  My thinking is that, realistically, how many days each year does it get that hot that you need aircon in this country?

It's probably well worth it in hot countries where it's sweltering for many months of the year, every year, without fail.  But me personally, I'd find it hard to justify the cost in the UK.

Clive_Woody

I have tried a portable unit in my home office, but because of restrictions on space and placement of my desk I can't easily position the hose to blow hot air out of the window. I am also considering having an aircon unit fitted, with the intention of also using it for heating in winter months rather than having the heating on for the whole house. My disabled wife is also at home all day so potentially we would look at a set up that covered two rooms for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.

danrv

gabbro86 said:

Shopped around a bit and found a company called BOXT, which are quoting £2.5k for one unit and its installation. 

A little expensive yes if that’s just one indoor air handler and an external condenser.
I paid £6900 for three way multi split aircon. 

Rodders53

CliveOfIndia said:

Is there any reason a couple of portable units wouldn't do the job?  

Noise.
They could be used to cool room for an hour or so before bed.  No way you would run them all night and sleep well.
Proper split aircon is almost silent when ticking over to maintain a cool room.

Out of interest I went to the website of Boxt; it offered me a single split pack unit room first floor bedroom install (+£700) using Daikin Sensira range at a similar price.  Costco also sell them installed (without the electrical installation work needed). work) https://www.costco.co.uk/Appliances/Cooling-Air-Treatment-Heating/Air-Conditioners/Installed-Daikin-Sensira-35kW-Single-Split-Air-Conditioning-Unit-for-Domestic-and-Commercial-Use/p/daikinsensira35

Daikin is a good (possibly premium) brand with a good reputation.

Note many installers have their personal preferences of manufacturer (or have received training on / can offer longer parts warranties for some brands).

Gavin83

Rodders53 said:

PS You do realise you officially need Planning Permission for any air to air HP cooling unit(s)?

Only beyond a certain size and from what I understand that sizing is quite generous. If you live in a normal house and only getting air con in a few rooms it’s unlikely you’ll need PP.

Simonon77

I  have a portable ( large one ) and find it fine for cooling a room. It only really needs to run for 15 - 20 minutes to get it nice and chilly. Wall mounted ones are nice, but to be honest how many days do we need to use them in the UK ?  Paying £5K for something you use 2 weeks a year is pretty expensive.

john.h

Simonon77 said:

I  have a portable ( large one ) and find it fine for cooling a room. It only really needs to run for 15 - 20 minutes to get it nice and chilly. Wall mounted ones are nice, but to be honest how many days do we need to use them in the UK ?  Paying £5K for something you use 2 weeks a year is pretty expensive.

What about the rest of the year you can use them to heat the room?