Air Conditioning in Reading, Berkshire (29)

Air conditioning installation costs vary depending on the size of your property and the type of air conditioning system you install.

Split air conditioner system installation costs

Split air conditioning systems are generally used to control the temperature in individual rooms – making them ideal for smaller spaces:

• Small home office – £1,750

• Double bedroom – £2,250

• Conservatory – £2,000

• Six-room multi-split unit – £7,500

Ducted air conditioner system installation costs

Ducted systems work by circulating air through a network of ducts to cool and heat consistently throughout your home:

• Small home office – £3,000

• Double bedroom – £3,000

Learn more about prices in our guide to air conditioning installation costs.

When deciding which air conditioning system you need to think about the following:

• The climate of where you live

• The size and layout of your home

• The number of people who live in your home

• The types of windows and insulation you have

• How you use your home

Generally, the bigger your home, the more powerful your air conditioning will need to be.

For example:

• 1-bed flat in a city – Portable air conditioner or single split system

• 2-bed semi-detached in a housing estate – Multi-split system or ducted system

• 3 or 4-bed detached house in the country – Multi-split system or ducted system

You’ll also want to consider the following:

• Energy efficiency – Look for systems with high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings to minimise energy consumption

• Noise levels – You won’t want noisy air con units in or near bedrooms

• Installation process – The cost and complexity of the installation will vary for different air conditioning systems

• Maintenance – Make sure you understand the maintenance needs of the different systems

By speaking to a local air conditioning specialist in Reading, you can ensure that your home is comfortable, energy-efficient, and properly cooled (and heated).

Want to know more? Read our guide to planning for a new air conditioning system.

To hire a reliable air conditioning company in Reading, consider the following:

• Experience and expertise – You want to hire a business with many years of experience and a range of professional qualifications and accreditations

• Reputation and customer reviews – Check online platforms such as Checkatrade and look for companies that have plenty of positive customer reviews and feedback

• How they interact – A reliable company will respond promptly to enquiries, clearly explain technical details, and be efficient at booking you in and completing the work

• Quality of their work – Ask for references from previous customers and contact them to ask about the company’s quality of work and attention to detail

Want more tips? Check out our guide to hiring air conditioning companies in Reading.

Questions to ask local air conditioning companies

Here are some example questions to ask local air conditioning companies, when choosing who to hire:

• Are you licensed and insured?

• How long have you been in business?

• Do you offer warranties on your work and equipment?

• Can you provide references or customer reviews?

• What is your experience with the specific type of system I need?

• What is the estimated cost of the installation, including any additional fees?

• How long will the installation process take?

• What is your policy on emergency repairs?

• Do you offer maintenance contracts?

• What is your policy on energy-efficient systems and eco-friendly practices?

By asking specific questions, it helps you understand the tradesperson’s experience, skills, and approach to their work.

The standard timeframe for servicing your air conditioning unit is typically once a year.

For air conditioning systems over 12kW, a certified energy assessor must service it at least once every five years.

Benefits of regular air conditioning servicing

• A longer lifespan for your air conditioning system

• Cheaper energy bills

• Avoiding costly repairs

• Better air quality in your home

• It’s often needed to validate the manufacturer’s warranty

Does your air conditioning need a service? Here are our top tips for finding the best air conditioning services near you.

Yes, you can find several energy-efficient air conditioning options available in the UK:

• Inverter air conditioners automatically adjust their compressor speed to match the cooling demand and so use less energy

• High SEER-rated air conditioners will give you the best performance in terms of energy efficiency

• Heat pumps can heat and cool your home with greater energy efficiency than most traditional alternatives

• Smart thermostats give you ultimate control over your air conditioning system and can help you save energy by optimising your cooling schedule

If energy efficiency is high on your list of priorities, it pays to regularly clean and service your air conditioning system to keep it in optimum condition.

In the UK, you don’t usually need planning permission to install a standard domestic air conditioning system.

However, there are a few exceptions. You may need planning permission if:

• Your unit is larger than 0.6m³ or is located within 1 metre of a property boundary

• You live in a Listed Building or Conservation Area

Always check with your local planning office for accurate information and professional guidance.

Building Regulations for air conditioning

Even if you don't need planning permission, you may still need to comply with current UK Building Regulations.

Learn more in our guide to air conditioning Building Regulations.

The installation time for an air conditioning system will vary depending on the type of system and the size of your property.

As a rough guide, here are some estimated timings for air conditioning installations in the UK:

• Single split system – 4-8 hours

• Multi-split system – 1-2 days (depending on the number of indoor units)

• Central air conditioning system – 2-5 days

For an accurate timeline, speak to local air conditioning installers covering Reading and discuss the details of your home with them.

Factors affecting installation time

Some of the key factors that will influence how long the installation takes to complete include:

• Complexity of the installation

• Number of air conditioning units being installed

• The existing electrical and plumbing infrastructure in your home

• Access to the property

An experienced air conditioning installer will be well-versed in carrying out similar jobs and can provide details of how long it will take.

Here are some of the common warning signs that could indicate your air conditioning needs to be repaired:

• Warm air coming out of cooling vents – This could be a faulty thermostat or an issue with the compressor

• Water dripping from an air conditioning unit – An issue that could be caused by a clogged condensate drain line, leaky refrigerant line, or blocked airflow

• It’s constantly running – Often caused by a dirty air filter, a faulty thermostat, dirty coils, or low refrigerant levels

• Strange noises – Buzzing, rattling, or other unusual noises coming from your air conditioning unit could be a sign of a loose or damaged part

• Poor airflow from the vents – May be caused by a blocked or clogged air duct, or an issue with the motor and/or blower

For help with common issues, check out our top tips for air conditioning troubleshooting and read our guide to repairing vs replacing air conditioning.

Alternatively, get in touch with air conditioning services available locally in Reading and get them out to inspect your system – and fix it.

It might seem strange but, yes, modern air conditioning units are often designed to cool and heat your home.

How it works

Heating with air conditioning is achieved through a process called a ‘reverse cycle’.

• Cooling mode – Your air conditioning unit extracts heat from inside your home and releases it outside

• Heating mode – It effectively reverses the flow of refrigerant to extract heat from the outside air and release it into your home

That means your air conditioning unit could warm your home on a cold day just like it can cool it on a warm summer’s day.

Benefits of using air conditioning to heat your home

Here are some of the reasons why it may be beneficial to use your air conditioning to heat your home:

• Heat pumps are often more energy-efficient than traditional heating systems

• You can maintain a comfortable temperature in your home

• Air conditioning systems improve the quality of the air in your home by filtering the air and removing pollutants

• Modern air conditioning units are generally very quiet when being used

Before you fire up your air conditioning to heat your home in winter, speak to local air conditioning services available in Reading.