Install air conditioning: Costs, systems & recommendations
- 1. How much does an air conditioning system cost?
- 2. Material costs by system
- 3. Labor & installation costs
- 4. Mobile air conditioning: flexible, inexpensive to purchase - expensive to operate
- 5. Monoblock: permanently installed, but similarly loud and not very efficient
- 6. Split unit: the most efficient and quietest solution for living rooms and bedrooms
- 7. Air conditioning for the whole house: the reversible heat pump
- 8. Conclusion: Is it worth installing an air conditioning system?
More and more households are considering installing air conditioning – and for good reason. Summers with over 30 degrees are no longer an exception, and especially attic apartments, bedrooms or home offices heat up much more than before. A modern air conditioning system not only ensures pleasantly cool temperatures, but also improves the indoor climate: it dehumidifies the air, filters out pollutants and stabilizes the feel-good temperature between 20 and 22 degrees.
If you are considering having an air conditioning system installed, you are probably asking yourself two central questions: What does it cost? and which system is right for my home?
Here you will find a comprehensive overview of all relevant costs, the most important systems and helpful decision-making aids – especially for Switzerland.
How much does an air conditioning system cost?
So that you immediately get a realistic assessment, the cost overview is deliberately at the top. Prices vary depending on room size, number of rooms, installation effort and power requirements. The costs are not based on cheap hardware store items.
Material costs by system
Labor & installation costs
Air conditioning systems for individual rooms: What options are there?
If you only want to cool a single room – such as the bedroom, the home office or the living room – you have three options: mobile air conditioners, stationary monoblocks and split units. Each system works differently and has its own cost structures.
Mobile air conditioning: flexible, inexpensive to purchase - expensive to operate
Mobile air conditioners are the easiest solution if you want to cool quickly and without an installer. The device is simply placed in the room, the exhaust hose is led through the window – done.
However, they are the loudest and most energy-intensive variant. If you let them run for a long time on hot days, the electricity costs will rise quickly. They can still be useful for rented apartments or as a temporary solution.
Costs of mobile air conditioning:
● Purchase: CHF 500 – 1’000
● Running costs per year: CHF 200 – 400
Monoblock: permanently installed, but similarly loud and not very efficient
Monoblock devices are permanently installed and do not require an outdoor unit. This makes them well suited for rental properties where outdoor components are not allowed. Nevertheless, the technology remains inside – and so does the noise level.
They consume about the same amount of electricity as mobile devices and are particularly suitable for rooms in which the volume is not decisive.
Costs of monoblock device:
● Purchase: CHF 300 – 700
● Electricity costs: similar to mobile devices
Split unit: the most efficient and quietest solution for living rooms and bedrooms
Split units consist of two units: outdoor unit (compressor) and indoor unit (cooling unit).
Because the compressor is placed outside, the system is extremely quiet indoors. Split units are considered the most efficient and comfortable option, perfect for bedrooms or home offices.
They massively increase living comfort and ensure stable temperatures even on very hot days.
Costs of split unit:
● 1 room: CHF 1’500 – 4’000
● 4 rooms: CHF 5’000 – 9’000
Additional installation costs:
● Wall breakthroughs: CHF 200 – 400
● Core drilling: CHF 400 – 600
● Electrical connection: approx. CHF 150
● Maintenance & cleaning per year: CHF 200 – 250
Important: For split units, you need a building permit in most Swiss municipalities because the outdoor unit is visible.
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Air conditioning for the whole house: the reversible heat pump
If you want to cool an entire single-family house or a large apartment, it is worth taking a look at reversible heat pumps. These systems can both heat and cool – so you get an efficient complete system.
During cooling, the refrigeration cycle is reversed: The system extracts heat from the indoor air and dissipates it to the outside. This works very efficiently, especially in well-insulated buildings.
Tip: If you are planning to replace your heating system anyway, the reversible version is particularly worthwhile – it only costs around 10% more than a normal heat pump.
Costs of reversible heat pump
Installation is usually included. Here too: Visible outdoor units are subject to approval.
Which air conditioning system is right for you?
● For flexible use / rented apartments: mobile air conditioning
● For simple fixed solution: monoblock
● For quiet & efficient cooling of individual rooms: split unit
● For entire houses: reversible heat pump
If you are unsure, an air conditioning technician from your region can help: He can assess which system makes sense for the building situation, insulation and room size.
Conclusion: Is it worth installing an air conditioning system?
An air conditioning system brings noticeably more comfort and ensures that your home stays pleasantly cool even during heat waves. Whether mobile device, monoblock, split system or reversible heat pump – which system is best depends primarily on the building situation, the budget and your personal requirements for efficiency and volume. It is important to realistically assess the total costs and have the installation carried out by a specialist company, especially for split units or heat pumps. This ensures that the system functions optimally, runs energy-efficiently and complies with all legal requirements. If you are looking for a long-term, quiet and reliable solution, a professionally installed split unit or a reversible heat pump is usually the best choice. An air conditioning technician from your region can support you in finding the right system and ensuring a pleasant indoor climate in the long term.
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Free & without obligation
With just a few clicks, receive up to 3 air conditioning offers from certified specialist companies in your area.