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Thu, 09 Jul 2026

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 How can I get air conditioning in my home and how much does it cost?

As summers in the UK get hotter, is it time for air conditioning to become a permanent feature in most homes?
Types of Air Conditioning Systems: 1. Portable air conditioners
* Cheapest option (£350-£650)
* Easy to set up, use, and move around homes
* Not as energy efficient, making them more expensive to run 2. Split systems
* More effective at cooling rooms
* Cheaper to run than portable units
* Require professional installation 3. Ducted air con
* Least noticeable option (vents in each room)
* Can cool multiple rooms
* Most expensive option (£5,000-£10,000) Costs:
* Portable units: £350-£650
* Wall-mounted or split air con units: £750-£1,100
* Ducted air con systems: £990-£1,750 Installation Costs:
* Professional installation: £2,000-£3,500 (or more)
* Labour costs for installing ducting or remedial work: £5,000-£10,000 Running Costs:
* Portable air conditioners: 25p-50p per hour
* Split systems and ducted air con: variable costs depending on energy usage Government Rules:
* Planning permission not required for small homes if it won't affect appearance
* Contact local authority to check rules