What’s in a typical job
Every installation has the same building blocks: indoor units, at least one outdoor unit, the refrigerant pipes and a power supply. Jobs differ in how many of each are needed.
| Size of job | Usually for | Kit involved |
|---|---|---|
| Single room | A bedroom over the kitchen, or a study | One indoor and one outdoor unit |
| Pair of rooms | Two bedrooms in a terrace or semi | Two indoor units on one dual outdoor unit, or two pairs |
| Top floor | Three or four bedrooms | A multi-split outdoor unit feeding each room |
| Whole home | Detached houses and new builds | Multi-split or ducted, designed around the floor plan |
Why you won’t find a price per room here
A per-room price would be wrong for most houses, too high for some and too low for others. The estimate takes your rooms and layout into account, and the survey makes it firm.
The cost factors
These are the questions that make the most difference to a quote:
- How far apart are the indoor and outdoor units? Longer pipe runs mean more materials and more labour.
- Can the outdoor unit sit on the ground? A high wall bracket or a roof position needs extra access equipment.
- How much sun does the room get? West-facing rooms and conservatories need extra cooling capacity.
- Is the consumer unit up to it? Some homes need a new dedicated circuit first.
- Do you want the pipes hidden? Routing them out of sight takes longer than neat trunking on the wall.
By type of Reading home
- Victorian terraces. The outdoor unit usually goes in the back yard, with a short pipe run to the rear bedroom. Front-wall units are best avoided.
- 1970s and 1980s houses in Lower Earley, Woodley and Tilehurst. These are often straightforward, with cavity walls, side access and room for a multi-split.
- Flats. The cost is similar, but you need the freeholder’s consent first. See the flats guide.
- New builds. Check the developer’s warranty conditions before drilling, and fit before decorating if you can.
Effect on your bills
Inverter units ramp down once a room is cool, so their average draw is well below their rated maximum. Multiply the average draw by the hours of use and your tariff to get a rough daily cost.
Scroll sideways to see the full table
| Use | Avg. draw | Hours | Tariff | Daily cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back bedroom, overnight | 0.45 kW | 8 | 27p/kWh | about 97p |
| Living room, afternoon and evening | 0.9 kW | 6 | 27p/kWh | about £1.46 |
Examples only
Real figures depend on the weather, the thermostat setting and your tariff. Solar panels can cover much of the daytime use.
Questions
How long does the fitting take?
It depends on the number of rooms and the pipe routes. The surveyor will tell you how long your job should take before you book.
Is there a lot of dust?
Core drilling makes some dust at the hole itself. Floors and furniture are covered, and the area is cleaned before the installer leaves.
Do I need to be home for the survey?
Yes. The installer needs to see inside and to agree unit positions with you, so someone over 18 needs to be there.
Get a guide figure now
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