Have you ever wondered how your air conditioner keeps your home cool on those scorching days when it almost feels like you’re living in the Maldives?
Contrary to popular belief, your air conditioning unit can’t just create cold air. Instead, it works by removing heat from inside your home and replacing it with cooler air. But there’s a bit more to it than that!
In this guide, we’ll break down how air conditioning works in simple terms, explaining the key components of an air conditioning unit and how they work together to cool your space. We’ll also look at the different types of air conditioning units available in the UK and how much they cost.
Ready to become an air-con expert? Keep reading to discover:
What does an air conditioner do?
How does air conditioning work?
Different types of air conditioners
How much does air conditioning cost in the UK?
Find an air conditioning expert with JustFix
What does an air conditioner do?
An air conditioner removes warm air from inside your home and releases cool air into the room. This process makes a room feel colder, reduces humidity, and can also improve air quality.
How does air conditioning work?
So, how does an air conditioner actually cool the air? To understand how an air conditioning unit works, it's helpful to know a little about the key components involved. Here are the main parts of an air conditioning system:
- Refrigerant: A special cooling fluid that absorbs and carries heat
- Evaporator coil: Absorbs heat from the indoor air
- Compressor: Pressurises the refrigerant (the fluid) and moves it through the system
- Condenser coil: Releases the absorbed heat outside
- Expansion valve: Controls the flow of refrigerant to manage cooling
- Fan: Circulates the cooled air back into the room
These components work together to keep your home cool; here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how:
- Warm air is pulled in: Your AC unit draws warm air from inside your home, which then passes over the evaporator coil.
- The refrigerant absorbs heat: Inside the evaporator coil, the refrigerant (the cooling liquid) absorbs the heat from the air, causing the air to cool down and removing excess moisture.
- The refrigerant carries heat outside: The now-warm refrigerant travels through the system to the compressor, which pressurises it and sends it to the condenser coil outside.
- Heat is released outdoors: As the refrigerant moves through the condenser coil, it releases heat into the outside air, with the fan helping to speed this process along.
- Cool air is circulated back inside: As this happens, the cooled indoor air (created during step 2) is blown back into your home.
- The process repeats: Now that the heat has been removed, the refrigerant cools down again and returns to the evaporator coil to start the process over.
This cycle repeats until your home reaches the desired temperature to which you’ve set your thermostat.
Different types of air conditioners
There are five main types of air conditioning systems found in UK homes. Here’s a quick summary of each:
- Split-system air conditioning: An energy-efficient system comprising an indoor unit and outdoor unit ideal for single rooms or open-plan spaces
- Window air conditioning units are self-contained units that fit into a window or wall opening. They are affordable and ideal for cooling a single room, but are less efficient than split systems.
- Multi-split air conditioning: This is similar to a split system but with multiple indoor units connected to one outdoor unit. It is more expensive but better for saving space when cooling several rooms.
- Portable air conditioners: Affordable standalone units that can be moved between rooms but are generally less efficient than built-in systems
- Central air conditioning: Uses a system of ducts to cool multiple rooms. It’s expensive but highly effective for cooling an entire home or building.
Each of these types of air conditioners might look different and have slightly different functions. However, they all work on the same basic premise, using refrigerant to remove heat and humidity from the air and blowing cool air into the room.
If installing air conditioning is one of your home improvement goals for this year, see our guide: How to choose the right air conditioning for your home, for a deeper dive into the types of AC on the market.
Ready to make the investment? A qualified electrician with experience in installing and maintaining HVAC systems can advise you on the best solution for your property and get you started.
How much does air conditioning cost in the UK?
The cost of air conditioning depends on the type of system you choose and the complexity of the installation.
Generally, you could expect to pay around £100-£400 for a portable air conditioner . These units don’t require installation, making them an affordable choice. As we don’t often experience extreme temperatures in this country, a portable air conditioner would be a sufficient solution for cooling most UK homes.
If you’re looking to invest in an air conditioning unit, a window air conditioner is usually the cheapest option, ranging from about £150-£800 . Split-system air conditioning ranges from around £800-£2,500 per room, while multi-split air conditioning can cost £3,000-£6,500 for multiple rooms, depending on the number of indoor units required.
A central air conditioning ducted system can cost anywhere from £2,500 for a single room to £14,500 for an entire property , meaning it’s usually the most expensive option.
Find an air conditioning expert with JustFix
Whilst there are some DIY-friendly electrical tasks, many must be carried out by a professional electrician. Installing or repairing an air conditioning unit is one of them.
A professional electrician can help you choose the best system for your home, install it correctly, and oversee routine maintenance. But how do you find a qualified specialist who’s up to the job?
At JustFix, we make finding reliable tradespeople easy. We have a trusted network of pre-vetted, NICEIC-certified electricians with experience installing, maintaining, and repairing air conditioning units.
Simply download the app or use our website to book a service, and tell us a time and date that works for you. Then, we’ll match you up with an expert in your area and quote you a fixed price for the work, whether it's a consultation, installation, or repair job. It’s that simple!
FAQs
How much is it to install air conditioning?
Air conditioning installation costs vary depending on the type of unit you choose and the space you want it to cover. Typically, you could expect to pay upwards of £900 for installation alone, with more complex systems (central or multi-split air conditioning) costing significantly more. However, a portable air conditioning unit doesn’t require installation, making it an affordable option.
How can I cool my house without air conditioning?
There are plenty of ways to keep your home cool without an air conditioning system. Keeping curtains closed during the day, opening windows at night, using fans to circulate air, and installing heat-reflecting window films can effectively reduce heat in your home.
Struggling with the opposite problem? Find out how to keep your home warm with our helpful guide.
Is air conditioning bad for your health?
Air conditioning reduces moisture in the air, which can cause irritation and dry out your skin and eyes. Furthermore, if you have existing respiratory issues like asthma or allergies, air conditioning can aggravate them.
Spending prolonged periods of time in an air-conditioned room (while you sleep, for example) can cause irritation. However, there are no serious illnesses proven to be associated with air conditioning, and it is not inherently harmful.
