Summer is the time when the temperature soars. Therefore, it is always good to have a trusted air conditioner. However, the question many people ask before buying a unit is: What will it cost to install? This would depend on a variety of factors – the nature of the air conditioner system, the sophistication of the installation process, the layout of your home and your location in Sydney.
We have divided up the average costs of installing air conditioning and what you should take into consideration when installing air conditioning in Sydney.
Typical Price Ranges for Air Conditioning Installation in Sydney.
A wall-mounted split system has the best cost versus comfort ratio, and is quite far the most popular among the majority of homeowners in Sydney. It is for this reason that it would be handy to pay attention to what you could expect should you opt for a split system.
Simple split system installation (back-to-back indoor/ outdoor unit on the same wall with only a little bit of piping and wiring) costs will usually range between AUD 600 and 850 to install only.
Adding the supply of the unit (supply with installation), average prices of a reverse-cycle split system (around 2.5-7 kW) can be between AUD 1,400 to 3,200 or more, depending on the size of the room (bedroom vs living area) and size of the unit.
On larger or more complex split-system installs (long pipe-runs, higher walls, internal routing of the walls, upgrades of switchboard), costs increase – sometimes in the vicinity of AUD $1,500-3,500 only to install, before adding the price of the unit.
When you are planning to install a multi-split system (outside unit that serves multiple indoor units) or a fully ducted air conditioning system serving all of the house, the prices increase with even greater intensity. AUD $3,000-8,000+ is the price that multi-splits typically are.
Ducted systems cost a lot more and can cost AUD $7,500-18,000+, depending on the complexity of the ductwork and size of the house.
Due to this broad range, it is always wise to obtain more than one quote- particularly where your installation location is a challenge.
What Influences the Cost of Installation?
Why do the costs vary so much? This is due to several important factors:
Type of system: A simple split-system is less expensive than multiple split or ducted systems.
Unit size/cooling capacity: Bigger units that are used in the living rooms or open-plan areas are more costly than the small ones used in bedrooms.
Installation complexity: Back-to-back installations on a single wall are the least costly; extensive runs of pipes, internal wall or roof runs, core holes (e.g., in concrete walls), high-wall or roof mounts, add labour, material and time costs, making them more expensive.
Electrical work required: Aged houses might need a new dedicated circuit, an upgrade of switch switchboard or safety upgrades. This increases the cost of the installation.
Amount of units/zones: In case you need to cool or heat more than one room, a multi-split or duct system can be more appropriate, but this increases the cost of installation.
Time of the year and demand: The demand for installers increases in the summer months. Off-season (autumn or winter) booking can be a better option, and the price might even be reduced. A lot of installers will do it by the hour (e.g., AUD $60-100/hr), and therefore, easy installs will be cheaper.
What About Installing in Western Sydney — or Suburbs Outside the CBD?
Installation costs can vary a little in case you are in the suburbs of Sydney, and not in the main Sydney, such as the western suburbs. Although the labour and materials can be generally similar, slight differences can arise according to:
- Travel distance for technicians
- Local labour demand and competition
- Local building regulations or strata / homeowners-association requirements
These variations imply that the cost of installation in Western Sydney could be in the lower-mid-range of standard Sydney quotes, particularly with straightforward installations of the split systems. Nevertheless, even in the case of more complex work, the costs may increase quite a lot.
We would always suggest getting a variety of quotes in the local area so that you are guaranteed a good price.
How to get the best out of your split system installation in Sydney?
A back-to-back wall mount is preferable where possible; it is the easiest to install and the least expensive installation configuration.
Schedule the installation during the low season (e.g., autumn or winter) prior to the summer rush – sometimes availability is higher, and even the price may be low.
Hire a licensed and certified installer – the proper installation means energy efficiency, and it will protect your warranty and save you from having to re-work at a high cost.
Get several quotes – compare the content of each quote (pipe length, electrical work, materials, labour).
Consider future requirements – in case you intend to increase or expand rooms in the future, you can save on the installation of multi-split instead of installing separate units in the future.
After this detailed analysis, the air conditioning installation cost is lower for simpler units, while a well-installed split system costs more. With a reputed air conditioning expert like BD Air Conditioning, you can get an affordable air conditioner installation cost in Sydney.
