For most homes in Newcastle, ducted air conditioning is not the best choice. It requires major alterations to ceilings and walls to hide ducts and vents, which adds significant cost and disruption. Wall-mounted units are usually a much better fit because they are compact, efficient and can be installed with minimal changes to your property. They also allow you to control the temperature room by room, which gives you more flexibility and long-term savings.

The cost of installing air conditioning in your home usually ranges from £1,800 to £9,000. The final price depends on the size of your home, the number of rooms you want to heat or cool, the type of system you choose and whether you want extras such as smart controls. We always provide tailored quotes after a site visit, so you know exactly what is involved with no hidden costs.

A standard air conditioning service costs £85 plus VAT. This includes a full check of refrigerant levels, filters, electrical connections, drainage and overall performance. If your system is not working and you need a diagnostic call-out, this is also £85 plus VAT, with any extra parts or labour quoted separately. Regular servicing is the most cost-effective way to avoid unexpected repairs later.

We recommend booking a service at least once a year. An annual check keeps your system efficient, ensures it is safe and helps spot issues before they lead to breakdowns. For units that run daily, such as in offices or shops, servicing every six months may be better to keep them performing at their best.

No. UK law requires an F-Gas Certified Engineer to install, service or repair air conditioning systems. This is because they involve refrigerant gases and electrical work. Attempting to install one yourself could void your warranty, breach your home insurance and in some cases even be unsafe. For peace of mind and compliance, it is always best to use a qualified professional.

Modern air conditioning systems are significantly more efficient than their older counterparts. Their SEER rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, indicates the amount of cooling output they deliver per unit of energy used. A higher SEER rating means greater efficiency and lower running costs. Choosing the right SEER rating for your property can make a real difference to your bills over time.

Most air conditioning systems last between 10 and 20 years. The exact lifespan depends on the model, how often it is used and how well it is maintained. Regular servicing is the best way to extend the life of your unit and avoid the need for early replacement.

Your system may be ready for replacement if it is more than ten years old, needs frequent repairs, struggles to cool or heat effectively or makes unusual noises. Rising running costs or the use of older refrigerants that are being phased out are also signs that an upgrade may be more cost-effective in the long run.

The simplest way to improve efficiency is to maintain annual servicing and ensure that filters are cleaned or replaced as needed. Using a programmable thermostat helps avoid wasted energy. Keeping doors and windows closed when the system is running prevents unnecessary loss of cooled or heated air. Improving your home insulation also reduces heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter, helping your air conditioning work more efficiently.

Yes. The UK government’s Go Green initiative currently offers a VAT saving on qualifying residential installations, including air source heat pumps and some wall-mounted units. This makes it an ideal time to invest in a system before demand increases and prices rise further.