Before the next heat wave
Don’t get caught
in that heat again
Work out which aircon fits your home now — so you’re ready before summer hits hard.
Not an installer — we help you decide before you leap
Three common paths
Which type fits?
Portable, single-split, or multi-split. Pick one to carry it into the calculator.
If you only need occasional cooling, a portable unit you buy and set up yourself can be enough. If you want quieter, stronger cooling in the same rooms every summer, a wall system fitted by an installer is usually the better long-term path.
Illustrations, not specific models.
Before you enquire
How lookBefore works
Learn the options, use the calculator, then enquire as the last step.
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Learn the options
Portable, one-room wall system, or multi-room, with rough install and running-cost guides.
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Use the calculator
Get a suggested size, install price and running cost for your rooms.
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Enquire last
Only after the guide, if you want quotes from local installers. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to up to three local installers.
What a typical fit involves
An installer agrees where the indoor unit and outdoor unit will go, then mounts them, runs pipes through a small wall opening, connects the electrics, tests the system, and shows you the controls. A straightforward one-room job is often done in a day; multi-room can take longer. Expect some drilling noise and dust. Scaffolding is sometimes needed for awkward outdoor positions.
A longer look at install day
A visit, sometimes with photos, comes first. You agree the positions and what the electrics need. On install day the installer mounts the units, drills for the pipes, connects them, leak-tests, and switches the system on, then walks you through the controls and the paperwork. Expect drilling noise and dust, access for the outdoor unit, a possible short power cut, and scaffolding sometimes.
By law, fitted aircon must be installed by a company registered for F-Gas work. Ask to see their registration (for example REFCOM).
F-Gas
F-Gas is the UK name for fluorinated greenhouse gases used as refrigerant in many air conditioning systems. Install and service work that handles those gases must be done by qualified people working for a registered company.
REFCOM
No. We don’t install anything, so we don’t need to be. The company fitting your system must be registered — ask to see it.
What it usually costs
Cost guide
A one-room wall system usually costs £1,500–£3,000 supplied and fitted, in a day. Two to four rooms on one outdoor unit usually costs £2,800–£7,000 over one to three days. Expect 20–30% more in London and the South East. A portable costs about £300–£650 to buy. A portable costs about £20–£95 a summer to run in a bedroom-sized room, more in bigger rooms. Prices checked 22 Sep 2026.
Step 1 of 4
What are you considering?
We’ll suggest a size and a price range. You can change this later.
Step 4 of 4
Get quotes from installers
Check your answers, then tell us how installers can reach you.
Straight answers
FAQ
About Aircon
Portable vs split — what’s the difference?
A portable plugs in and moves. A single-split is one fixed indoor unit plus an outdoor unit. A multi-split is several indoor units, usually on one outdoor unit.
What does F-Gas mean?
F-Gas is the UK name for fluorinated greenhouse gases used as refrigerant in many air conditioning systems. Install and service work that handles those gases must be done by qualified people working for a registered company.
Do I need MCS for cooling aircon?
Not for cooling only. MCS matters only if you want the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for a system that also heats your home.
Is the calculator a quote?
No — it gives a realistic range. Installers quote after seeing your home.
Can I get a grant for air conditioning?
Not for cooling only. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £2,500 towards aircon that also heats your home in England and Wales. To qualify, it has to replace your gas or oil heating and be fitted by an MCS-certified installer. As of September 2026, no installers are certified for this type of system yet, so the grant can’t be claimed today. MCS expects certification to open later this year.
Sources: legislation.gov.uk (SI 2026/390) (opens in new tab) · MCS Find an Installer (opens in new tab)
I rent. Can I have a split system?
If you tick 'I rent this home', we suggest a portable.
Why isn’t there one exact kW, or a savings figure?
Why a range? Every room and summer differs. An installer confirms the size on site.
About lookBefore
Are you an air conditioning installer?
No. lookBefore helps you decide which path to look at. We do not fit systems and we do not sell the equipment.
Are lookBefore or this website F-Gas or REFCOM certified?
No. We don’t install anything, so we don’t need to be. The company fitting your system must be registered — ask to see it.
Will you send my details to lots of companies?
Only if you tick consent, and then to up to three local installers so they can quote. Ask us to stop any time: privacy@lookbefore.co.uk.
What happens to my details?
We only keep an enquiry if you agree. With that consent, we may share it with up to three local installers so they can contact you about a quote. We keep enquiry data for up to 24 months unless you ask us to delete it sooner. Questions or opt-out: privacy@lookbefore.co.uk.
Privacy
We collect the details you enter (such as postcode, ownership, rooms or system interest, timeline, and contact details) so we can give you a guide result and, if you consent, pass your enquiry to up to three local installers. We use this information for that purpose and to improve the tool. We keep enquiry records for up to 24 months from last contact, then delete or anonymise; we honour earlier deletion requests. To ask what we hold, or to opt out of further contact from us, email privacy@lookbefore.co.uk. Installers who receive your details are responsible for how they use them under their own privacy notices.
lookBefore is operated by Friskk Ltd (company number 09478908). The registered office is in the footer of this page.