Factors That Influence Your Investment
Understanding split system installation costs
Of the many installations we do, price is usually a concern, which is why we do our best to install the units in the easiest locations to minimise cost. But this is not always the most optimal way to do it. For instance, nobody wants an air conditioner sitting next to their front door or coming perilously close to their car every time it’s backed into the driveway.
Generally you don’t want the outdoor unit located:
- At the front of the house – You can put it there, of course, but it’s worth considering the aesthetics as well. Will it be exposed and stand out? Would it be better around the side of the house? Often the outdoor unit can be hidden behind bushes, shrubs or trees.
- In narrow pathways – You don’t want to limit or even lose access for things like bins, wheelbarrows, or bikes. One option for this is to mount the outdoor unit on a wall bracket.
- Deckings or entertaining areas – If you don’t want to be staring at it whenever you’re on the deck, it’s worth paying the extra to move it to a better location. The outdoor unit will blow either cold or warm air out from the front when running and could possibly make sitting outside uncomfortable and annoying. Once it is installed and working, you will be glad you did.
- Driveways or garages – Driveways are not a good location for air conditioners. Not only is it costly to repair or replace a unit that has been backed into or sideswiped, it is extremely dangerous.
PRICING
Split system installation pricing examples
Browse through our real-life examples to get a better understanding of costs involved in different scenarios.
This installation is in a second storey family room. The unit installed was a 5.0kw Carrier split system. Fortunately, there is a flat roof directly behind the indoor unit location so the most cost-effective solution is to mount the outdoor unit right behind it. Second storey installations typically cost more than those on ground floor, because lifting the unit onto the roof takes consideration and time.
Fully installed Carrier 5.0kw - $2795 inc GST
This installation was in a fairly new townhouse where the client wanted a solution for downstairs and an upstairs bedroom. The downstairs unit was deliberately located on the left side of the room so the pipes were able to exit to the external wall. Installing it any further to the right (the middle of the room) would mean the pipes would exit into the garage further complicating the install and affecting the cost. The upstairs unit was placed to the side of the room and the outdoor unit location will be directly and conveniently on the other side of the wall.
The pipes on the lounge room unit exit precisely where we wanted them to and are run inside a duct up to the garage roof where the outdoor unit will be located. The drain runs down to the garden below. The duct is also nicely concealed from view by the downpipe. The bedroom unit sits right behind the indoor unit. Basically a back-to-back installation — nice and neat!
Fully installed price for 2.5kw and 7.1kw Mitsubishi units - $5250 in GST
This is a pretty straightforward forward installation on a single storey brick veneer. It could have been an easy back-to-back installation but the outdoor unit would have been in a walkway area so the client asked to locate it around the back of the house. The extra cost for the pip and duct work was charged at only $45 per metre which was 4 metres.
Unit installed — 2.5kw Mitsubishi Heavy price $2550 inc GST
This installation is pretty tricky and was a lot of work. The inside walls were double-brick and the roof had solar panels located right where we needed to work! The client wanted the outdoor units around the side of the house.
Fortunately, we were able to work around them but it did add a lot more time onto the job (added cost). These kinds of installations can be dangerous as it involves pulling pipes through the roof, working off ladders and avoiding damage to the solar panels. Drains were run across to the down pipe.
Fully installed price 2.5kw and 6.8kw LG - $6750 inc GST.
This installation is a tad different as you can see. The client came up with this solution as the best option for them as all the other options would have had the unit on the front of the house balcony. They don't use that door in the photo so they were happy to go ahead with this.
Fully installed Panasonic 5.0kw - $3450 inc GST
Installations like this one are common in apartment buildings. The inside room backs onto the car park under the building. The simplest option is to mount it on a wall bracket. Other options are to run more ducting along the wall and locate the unit out of sight which adds more cost. Also body corporate will have a say in it. What looks worse, the unit on the wall or more duct runs along it?
Fully installed Fujitsu 5.0kw price - $3450
This installation had a predetermined destiny! The client had thought ahead and wanted to locate the outdoor unit out of the elements and had already had a concrete slab waiting. The extras on this job are the pipes, duct and work ($45 per metre). The outdoor unit is also around a corner. The client made the right choice on this location as having the unit on the ground would mean it’s protected and the ducts would run over the stone wall, which would have looked pretty weird.
Fully installed price 7.1kw Mitsubishi split system - $3895 inc GST
Even though this is a fairly basic installation, it did require working off ladders at second storey height and also lifting a heavy air conditioner onto a roof. Pipe and duct is charged at $45 per metre.
Fully installed price for 2.5kw LG split system - $2450 inc GST
This is a great example of needing to spend extra money to get a better outcome. The outdoor unit was located on an external wall that backed onto the clothes line. The client did not want it there so it was placed further down the side of the house. There was also a gate there, so we decided to take it even further to prevent issues with access. The client also wanted to upgrade the ducting to colorbond to match the gutters on the house.
Price - 7.1kw Mitsubishi SRK71ZRA $3450
Extra pipe and colorbond - $300
Total - $3750 inc GST
POINT COOK, MELBOURNE
Choosing the most suitable location rather than the cheapest
What that entailed was pipes to be run outside, then up into the roof and across to the side of the house and back out and down the wall. A lot of extra pipe and a lot of extra care and attention need to get them in neatly. Obviously, this cost more, but the end result is a nice, neat job and a very happy customer.
Once again, this is a perfect example of spending extra to get a better outcome. Going for the cheap option would have meant an air conditioner in the entertaining area. Remember, once these units are installed, they are there for a long time.
The installation ended up needing an extra 10 m of pipe and electrical cables. Running pipes through roofs like this really does take a lot more time and skill. Getting the pipes in and out of the roof space without kinking them is very fiddly and making sure it is finished nice and neatly is a priority for us.
It is worth noting that the unit installed was capable of handling the long pipe run. The unit comes pre-charge with enough refrigerant to cover the length required. Some units don’t allow such a long run without adding more refrigerant, which will add extra costs for installation.
At CurrentForce, our team of seasoned experts prioritise giving you advice on the best option rather than the cheapest one, because we believe in long-term value and satisfaction. A cheaper option might seem attractive upfront, but it could lead to higher energy bills, terrible aesthetics, or even premature replacement. We want you to enjoy a comfortable, efficient system that lasts for years to come.
PASCOE VALE, MELBOURNE
Air conditioners installed in rooms at the front of your house
In this scenario, we were required to run the pipes to the side of the house through the roof. As you can see, an air conditioner mounted on the wall above the garage would not look too good. We were also able to run the drain down the cavity and out the side near a downpipe. The cost involved in doing it this way was approximately $400-$500 more. Certainly, it was money well spent when you consider the longevity of the unit and the aesthetic value maintained at the front of the house.
RINGWOOD, MELBOURNE
Mounting the outdoor unit on the roof instead of the ground
After browsing through our website, the client was made aware that it’s possible to locate the condenser on the flat roof above their lounge room. The price to install the Samsung 5kw split system back-to-back was $2335, but the final price to relocate the outdoor unit to the roof was $2635 including GST. The extra $300 reflects the extra labour required to lift the outdoor unit onto the roof and the time and effort needed to run the pipes through the roof and weather seal the roof as well.
The upfront cost of installing the air conditioner this way is definitely worth it when you factor in the years ahead. The outdoor unit is only visible from a small area of the back yard so it is a positive case of out of sight, out of mind!
GREENSBOROUGH, MELBOURNE
Locating indoor units to minimise materials and labour
Doing this meant that the client did not have to pay for the extra duct required if each split system required separate ducts. It also saves cost on labour as doing them separately essentially means twice the work on the outside of the house.
Also, another upside to this is that there is only one duct running externally so the job looks that little bit neater. The outdoor units ended up in a location that was probably not ideal but were placed that way to keep the clients costs down. The unit on the ground is sitting to the left of an access hatch for an underground tap. The unit on the wall is sitting to the side so that the pipes could run down past it to the ground unit and also to keep it away from the window to minimise its visibility from inside the house.
Is it worth spending the extra money?
It’s always worth it.
NEED TO INSTALL A SPLIT SYSTEM AC?
Determine the split system installation cost you need today
At CurrentForce, we pride ourselves on providing a full-service experience that takes the stress out of getting your new AC up and running. Our team of seasoned experts handles everything from selecting the perfect unit to managing the entire installation process. And with our industry-leading 6-year installation warranty, you can rest assured that your investment is protected.
Ready to experience the CurrentForce difference? Check out our quote tool now or, if you prefer a more personalised touch, contact us via email at enquire@currentforce.com.au or give us a call at 0408 567 860. We’re here to help you make informed decisions and achieve the perfect indoor climate for your home or business.