Thinking about installing air con? We’ve researched the best air conditioning installers in the UK, from fixed-price nationwide services to specialists for flats and commercial properties.
If the British summer has left your bedroom feeling more like a budget sauna, permanently installed air conditioning probably sounds rather appealing.
And unlike the noisy portable unit currently blocking half your window, a wall-mounted air conditioner can cool a room quietly and efficiently. Most modern systems can heat it during winter too.
Very clever.
The installer you choose matters just as much as the air conditioning unit itself, though. Incorrect sizing, messy pipework or poor positioning can leave you with an inefficient system, unwanted noise and a rather expensive ornament attached to your wall.
So, who are the best air conditioning installers in the UK?
Our team compared some of the country’s best-known installers across qualifications, product choice, warranties, customer experience, coverage and overall value.
Instead of simply declaring one company “the best” and disappearing for an ice cream, we’ve highlighted what each installer does particularly well. The right option will ultimately depend on your home, location and the kind of system you need.
💨 Ready to chill without the guesswork? Find out exactly what size air conditioner you need - and get a fixed price in seconds here.
Quick Look: The Best Air Conditioning Installers
Installer | Best for | Coverage | Typical warranty |
Heatable | Best overall installer | Wide UK coverage; postcode dependent | 5–7 years on current installed packages, depending on model |
BOXT | Fast installation | Wide UK coverage; postcode dependent | Up to 5 years manufacturer and 1 year workmanship |
British Gas | Established name | UK coverage, subject to property and location | 5-year manufacturer guarantee, subject to annual servicing |
Cool You | Flats and restricted properties | London and locations within the M25 | 6-year parts and labour, subject to a maintenance agreement |
Air Conditioning Direct | Longer warranties | London and surrounding areas | Up to 7 years on selected equipment |
Andrews Air Conditioning | Commercial installations | Nationwide | Project and equipment dependent |
Warranty terms, servicing requirements and geographical availability can change. Always confirm the exact cover included in your written quotation.
How We Picked the Best Air Conditioning Installers
Don’t worry, we didn’t pick six company names from the nearest hat and call it research.
We considered the things that make the biggest difference before, during and after an air conditioning installation:
F-Gas qualifications and company certification
Experience with domestic or commercial air conditioning
Quality of the survey and system-sizing process
Choice of trusted air conditioning brands
Manufacturer and workmanship warranties
Independent customer feedback
Pricing transparency
Finance availability
Geographical coverage
Servicing and aftercare
F-Gas qualifications were particularly important.
Most fitted split air conditioners contain fluorinated refrigerant, and it is against the law for someone without the appropriate qualification to work on these systems. That includes installation, servicing, leak checks and refrigerant recovery.
In other words, your mate Dave might own an impressive collection of power tools, but that doesn’t make him an air conditioning engineer.
We also looked for installers that explain what is included in the quote. A tempting headline price becomes considerably less tempting when brackets, pipework, electrical work and commissioning start appearing as “extras”.
Finally, we considered which homes and projects each installer is best equipped to handle.
A straightforward bedroom installation and a five-room ducted office system are very different jobs.
Best Overall Air Conditioning Installer: Heatable
Yes, that’s us.
Naturally, you might expect Heatable to appear in a Heatable guide.
We’ve still judged our service against the same criteria as everyone else, though, and there are plenty of good reasons we’ve taken the best overall spot.
Heatable combines an online fixed-price journey with installation by trusted, local F-Gas qualified engineers.
You answer a few straightforward questions about your home and the room you want to cool, choose your package and arrange installation.
No lengthy showroom visits. No mysterious “starting from” quote that triples when somebody reaches your front door. And no salesperson drinking all your tea while explaining why you desperately need the most expensive model.
Current Heatable packages include units from established manufacturers such as Haier, Bosch and Samsung.
This gives homeowners a choice of value, mid-range and premium systems, with warranties of up to seven years depending on the package selected.
The systems provide both cooling and heating, and single-room installations can normally be completed within one day.
Heatable is also a Which? Trusted Trader and has more than 14,000 Trustpilot reviews, with an overall score of 4.8 out of 5 at the time of writing.
Pros:
Fixed online pricing with installation included
Trusted Haier, Bosch and Samsung air conditioning packages
Local, F-Gas qualified installers
Options for small, medium and larger rooms
Heating, cooling and air-purification features available
Up to seven years’ warranty on selected packages
Finance options available
Strong independent customer feedback
Cons:
Primarily focused on wall-mounted split and multi-split systems
A standard online package might not suit highly complex or fully ducted projects
Installation availability can vary by postcode, particularly during heatwaves
Finance Available?
Yes. Heatable offers several ways to spread the cost, including interest-free credit on selected air conditioning packages, subject to status and affordability.
Best for Fast Installation: BOXT
When your loft bedroom is roughly the temperature of the sun, waiting six weeks for an installer suddenly feels quite unreasonable.
BOXT is one of the strongest options for speed. The company provides fixed online quotations and advertises installation as soon as the next working day when an order and all required information are submitted before its cut-off time.
As ever, “next day” is subject to engineer and equipment availability. Trying to book during the hottest week of the year might involve a longer wait - mainly because everyone else has just had the same idea.
The online questionnaire recommends systems based on details about the room and property.
Standard packages include the indoor unit, outdoor unit, controller and installation, along with additional components identified during the quotation process.
BOXT currently promotes Bosch air conditioning systems, including the Bosch Climate 3200i. These units can heat as well as cool and offer efficient operation, air cleaning and optional app control.
Installation should normally take no longer than one day for a straightforward system.
Pros:
Fixed online quotation
Installation can be available from the next working day
Installation is included in package prices
Up to five years’ manufacturer warranty
One-year workmanship guarantee
BOXT registers the product warranty
Finance and price-match options available
Installation documents are stored in the BOXT app
Cons:
Product choice is more limited than with a multi-brand specialist
Next-working-day installation is subject to availability and technical approval
More unusual properties might need additional assessment
App-based Wi-Fi control can require an extra accessory
Finance Available?
Yes. BOXT offers payment plans, including 0% finance on selected packages. Finance is subject to status, affordability and the terms available when you apply.
Best for an Established Name: British Gas
British Gas needs little introduction. Even your nan probably knows who they are.
The company now offers professionally installed home air conditioning alongside its better-known heating services.
Its process starts with an online estimate, followed by tailored guidance and installation through qualified partners.
British Gas installs wall-mounted systems capable of cooling during summer and providing warm air during winter. Wi-Fi control is also available as an option.
Its air conditioning service is aimed at residential homeowners and can cover up to five rooms.
There are some property restrictions, however: its published criteria currently cover ground- and first-floor rooms, but not rooms above that level.
The major attraction is familiarity. Some customers will feel more comfortable buying from a large, established provider with recognisable customer support and structured finance options.
Every installation currently includes a five-year manufacturer guarantee, provided the air conditioner receives the required annual servicing.
Pros:
Large, established household name
Online quotation journey
Single and multi-room options
Heating and cooling from the same system
Five-year manufacturer guarantee
British Gas registers the guarantee
Flexible payment options
Managed installation and aftercare
Cons:
Only available to residential homeowners
Current service is limited to ground- and first-floor rooms
Maximum of five rooms
Annual servicing is required to maintain the manufacturer guarantee
A larger company’s process may be less flexible for unusual projects
Finance Available?
Yes. British Gas offers several payment choices, including interest-free borrowing for up to two years and longer interest-bearing options, subject to status and credit checks.
Customers can also pay in full using a deposit, followed by the remaining balance after installation.
Best for Flats and Listed Buildings: Cool You
Installing traditional split air conditioning in a flat can be awkward.
The outdoor condenser needs somewhere to live, your freeholder may object and the local planning department might become involved if the building is listed or sits within a conservation area.
Cool You specialises in solving precisely this problem.
The company designs fully internal, water-cooled air conditioning systems for London apartments and properties where an external condenser cannot be fitted. Instead of placing a unit on the building’s exterior, the condenser is installed inside, often within a utility cupboard or ceiling void.
This can avoid visible external alterations and make air conditioning possible in properties where a conventional system would be refused.
Cool You uses its own in-house F-Gas engineers and offers wall-mounted, concealed ducted and multi-room solutions. It also installs conventional systems with outdoor condensers where the property allows them.
Its speciality comes at a price: these are bespoke systems rather than basic fixed-price packages. Water-cooled air conditioning can also use mains water during operation, so homeowners should ask about expected water consumption and running costs.
Pros:
Specialist in London flats and apartments
Fully internal systems available without an outdoor condenser
Suitable for many listed, leasehold and restricted properties
Wall-mounted and concealed ducted options
In-house F-Gas qualified engineers
Free property survey
Six-year parts and labour warranty on key components
Strong experience with complex London properties
Cons:
Mainly serves London and the M25 area
More specialised systems are likely to cost more
Six-year warranty requires an ongoing maintenance agreement
Some additional components receive shorter warranty cover
Water-cooled systems may have higher water usage than conventional split air conditioning
Finance Available?
Finance is not promoted as prominently as it is by the larger online installers. Ask Cool You about current payment options when arranging your survey.
Best for Longer Warranties: Air Conditioning Direct
Not to be confused with the similarly named online appliance retailer, Air Conditioning Direct - also known as AC Direct - is an established installer serving London and surrounding areas.
The company says it has supplied and installed air conditioning for more than 25 years. Its work covers homes and commercial properties, with systems available from a range of recognised manufacturers.
One of its strongest selling points is an equipment guarantee of up to seven years on selected manufacturers’ products.
That “selected” is important. Warranty length can depend on the exact equipment, the installer’s relationship with the manufacturer and whether the system receives annual servicing.
Make sure the final quotation confirms both the product warranty and the separate workmanship cover.
Its experience makes AC Direct a good option for customers who prefer an in-person, specialist approach rather than choosing a standard package entirely online.
Pros:
More than 25 years of air conditioning experience
Domestic and commercial installations
Broad manufacturer choice
Up to seven years’ guarantee on selected equipment
Qualified installation teams
Suitable for more bespoke projects
Servicing and maintenance available
Cons:
Regional rather than nationwide coverage
No instant fixed-price journey
Warranty length depends on the equipment selected
Bespoke quotations can make quick price comparisons more difficult
Finance Available?
Finance is not a central part of AC Direct’s advertised residential service. Ask what payment options are available when requesting a quotation.
Best for Commercial Installations: Andrews Air Conditioning
Cooling one bedroom is one thing. Cooling an office, shop, warehouse or entire commercial building is another beast altogether.
Andrews Air Conditioning is our pick for larger commercial and technically complex installations.
It provides design, installation, maintenance, upgrades and emergency repairs, with nationwide support through regional depots.
Rather than selling a standard box on the wall, Andrews takes a project-led approach. Its team can assess the building, recommend suitable equipment and develop a maintenance plan for the system’s working life.
It works with major air conditioning manufacturers and offers support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
That level of backup is particularly useful for businesses where an air conditioning failure could interrupt trading or damage temperature-sensitive equipment.
For a single bedroom, this level of service is probably overkill. For a multi-floor office or busy commercial site, it makes far more sense.
Pros:
Nationwide commercial coverage
Experienced with large and complex installations
System design, installation and maintenance available
Works with leading manufacturers
Regional depots across the UK
Emergency breakdown support
Whole-life maintenance planning
Cons:
Primarily focused on commercial customers
Not designed around instant domestic quotations
Project-led pricing makes direct comparisons difficult
Likely excessive for a simple single-room installation
Finance Available?
Andrews does not advertise a standard consumer finance package for air conditioning installation. Commercial payment and contract terms will depend on the project.
How To Choose an Air Conditioning Installer
The best installer for your neighbour’s three-bedroom semi might not be the best installer for your city-centre flat.
Before accepting a quotation, work through the following checks.
Make Sure the Installer Is F-Gas Qualified
This is the non-negotiable bit.
Anyone installing or working on stationary air conditioning equipment containing F-Gas refrigerant must hold the appropriate qualification.
The installation company should also have the required company certification where applicable.
Ask the installer to confirm its certification and check it through an approved register such as REFCOM.
If someone suggests fitting a split air conditioner without the correct qualification, show them the door. Politely, if you like.
Check How the System Has Been Sized
Air conditioning is not sized by pointing at the nearest wall and saying, “That unit looks about right.”
The installer should assess:
Room dimensions
Ceiling height
Window size and direction
Insulation
Number of occupants
Heat-producing appliances
How much direct sunlight enters the room
Whether the space is open plan
How the room is used
An undersized unit may run constantly without cooling the room properly. An oversized unit can switch on and off too frequently, reducing efficiency and humidity control.
Both are rather expensive ways to remain uncomfortable.
Compare What Each Quote Includes
Try to get at least three quotations and compare them like for like.
Check whether the price includes:
Indoor and outdoor units
Installation labour
Refrigerant pipework
Pipework covers or trunking
Outdoor wall brackets or a ground base
Condensate drainage
Electrical work
Wi-Fi accessories
Testing and commissioning
Waste removal
Warranty registration
VAT
Any scaffolding or access equipment
If something is missing, ask about it before paying a deposit.
Understand the Two Types of Warranty
Air conditioning quotations often refer to both a manufacturer warranty and a workmanship guarantee.
They are not the same thing.
The manufacturer warranty normally covers faults with the equipment itself. The workmanship guarantee covers problems caused by the installation, such as incorrectly fitted pipework or connections.
Ask how long each lasts, who handles a claim and whether annual servicing is required.
A seven-year equipment warranty sounds excellent, but it is less useful if the pipework is covered for only 12 months and nobody has explained who to call when water starts dripping down the wallpaper.
Ask About Servicing and Aftercare
Domestic air conditioning does not normally have to be serviced by law, but regular maintenance is still a very good idea.
Servicing can:
Keep the system operating efficiently
Maintain indoor air quality
Identify refrigerant or drainage issues
Reduce the chance of breakdowns
Keep the manufacturer warranty valid
Extend the equipment’s working life
Ask whether the installer offers annual servicing, how much it costs and what happens if the system develops a fault during a heatwave.
Check Planning and Property Restrictions
Many domestic air conditioning installations can proceed without a full planning application, but you should never assume permission is automatic.
Extra restrictions can apply to:
Listed buildings
Homes in conservation areas
Flats and maisonettes
Leasehold properties
Installations close to a boundary
External units visible from the road
Properties with restrictions on noise or external alterations
Flat owners will normally need permission from the freeholder or managing agent before attaching anything to an exterior wall.
A reputable installer should identify obvious concerns, but responsibility for securing permission may still sit with the homeowner.
Questions To Ask an Air Conditioning Installer
Before accepting a quotation, ask:
Are both the engineer and installation company appropriately F-Gas certified?
Request the certification details and verify them independently.
How did you calculate the cooling capacity I need?
The answer should involve your actual room and its heat load, rather than guesswork based solely on floor area.
Where will the indoor and outdoor units be positioned?
Ask the installer to explain airflow, noise, condensate drainage, pipework routes and future maintenance access.
What exactly is included in the price?
Get a written breakdown, including any likely charges for electrical work, wall brackets, longer pipe runs or scaffolding.
What warranty and workmanship cover will I receive?
Confirm the length, servicing conditions and claims process in writing.
Who will service or repair the system?
Find out whether the installer has its own aftercare team or expects you to contact the manufacturer.
How noisy will the system be?
Check the published indoor and outdoor sound levels, particularly if the unit will be near a bedroom or neighbouring property.
Can the unit heat as well as cool?
Most modern split systems are reversible air-to-air heat pumps, but it is worth confirming the heating output and efficiency.
Which Air Conditioning Installer Is Best?
For most homeowners looking for a straightforward, professionally fitted wall-mounted system, Heatable offers the best overall combination of fixed pricing, trusted brands, qualified local installers and finance options.
BOXT is a strong alternative if speed is your priority, while British Gas will appeal to customers who prefer a large, familiar provider.
Cool You is the obvious specialist for London flats and properties where an external condenser is not possible.
Air Conditioning Direct suits customers seeking a more traditional, bespoke service around London, and Andrews is better equipped for substantial commercial projects.
Whichever company you choose, make sure the installer is properly qualified, the system has been sized for your room and every cost is clearly stated before work begins.
Because the only surprise you want from your new air conditioner is discovering just how pleasant sleep can be when your bedroom isn’t 29°C.
Next Steps For Your AC Journey:
When planning to install air conditioning for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos.
Get a Quote for Air Conditioning Today ❄️
Here’s why homeowners choose us:
Thousands of Happy Customers: We have an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, outperforming the market leader.
Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.
FGAS Certified: Our FGAS certification ensures all air conditioning work is carried out to the required industry standards.
Flexible Payment Options: Choose from multiple payment methods, including finance options.
Fixed Price Guarantee: Enjoy transparency with no hidden costs.
Save Your Quote: Save your quote and come back to it whenever you’re ready.
