Types of Air Conditioning: Which Is Right for Your Home? (UK)
Wall-mounted split, multi-split, ducted, ceiling cassette, floor console or portable? How the types of air conditioning compare for UK homes, with typical installed costs.
By Max Tuleberg · Founder, Vento · Last updated 25 October 2026
Founder of Vento. Worked on the tools before building the software.
For most UK homes the choice is between a wall-mounted split (one room), a multi-split (several rooms from one outdoor unit) and a ducted system (hidden in the ceiling). Ceiling cassettes and floor consoles suit particular rooms, and portable units are a stop-gap rather than a fixed system. Here's how they compare.
The main types at a glance
| Type | Best for | What you see indoors | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall-mounted split | One room | A slim unit high on the wall | £1,500–£3,000 |
| Multi-split | 2 or more rooms | A wall unit in each room | £3,000–£7,000+ in total |
| Ducted | Whole floor or home | Only small grilles | £6,000–£12,000+ |
| Ceiling cassette | Large open rooms, with a ceiling void | A square panel in the ceiling | Ask for a quote |
| Floor console | Rooms with no high wall space, e.g. under a sloping ceiling | A low unit at skirting level | Ask for a quote |
| Portable | Temporary cooling | A unit on wheels with a window hose | No installation |
Costs are indicative supplied-and-fitted ranges from our installation cost guide. Long pipe runs, difficult access and premium brands push them up.
Wall-mounted split
The default for a single room. An indoor unit on the wall is connected through a small hole to an outdoor unit by refrigerant pipes, a power cable and a condensate drain. It's quiet, efficient and usually heats as well as cools.
Multi-split
Several indoor units — often wall-mounted, but they can be mixed with cassettes or ducted units — run from a single outdoor unit. You get independent control in each room with only one unit outside, and it is usually cheaper per room than fitting separate systems.
Ducted
The indoor unit sits out of sight in a ceiling void or loft and feeds conditioned air to several rooms through ducts, so all you see are grilles. It's the neatest result, but it needs space for the unit and ductwork and is best planned during a renovation or new build.
Ceiling cassette
A square unit recessed into the ceiling that blows air in several directions. Common in offices and shops, and a good fit for large open-plan living spaces with a ceiling void above.
Floor console
A low unit at skirting level, useful in loft rooms with sloping ceilings or where there's no suitable high wall. It behaves like a wall-mounted split, just mounted low.
Portable air conditioning
A self-contained unit you plug in and vent through a window. It needs no installer and no refrigerant work, but it is noisier and much less efficient than a fixed system, and the window hose lets warm air back in. Fine for a heatwave; not a long-term answer.
Which should you choose?
- One room — a wall-mounted split.
- Two to four rooms — a multi-split, usually cheaper than separate systems.
- Whole floor, out of sight — ducted, ideally during building work.
- Also want heating — any reverse-cycle system; it may qualify for the £2,500 grant.
Check what size each room needs with the size calculator, then get a survey from an F-Gas certified installer.
This guide is general information for UK installers, not legal or regulatory advice. Always check the current regulations and manufacturer instructions for your specific job.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common type of air conditioning in UK homes?
The wall-mounted split: one indoor unit high on a wall, connected by refrigerant pipes to an outdoor unit. It's the most common choice for a single room and typically costs around £1,500–£3,000 to install.
Is a portable air conditioner as good as a split system?
No. A portable unit is cheap and needs no installer, but it is noisier, less efficient and has to vent hot air through a hose out of a window, which lets warm air back in. A fixed split system moves the heat outside through sealed refrigerant pipes, so it is quieter and much more efficient.
What is a multi-split system?
A multi-split runs two or more indoor units from one outdoor unit. It's usually the most economical way to air condition several rooms, typically around £3,000–£7,000+ in total.
Can air conditioning heat as well as cool?
Most modern split, multi-split, cassette and ducted systems are reverse-cycle heat pumps, so they heat in winter as well as cool in summer. An air-to-air system that heats the whole home in England or Wales, replacing the existing heating, can qualify for the £2,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
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