The UK energy crisis is a worry for us all. If you have an AC unit or system at your home or workplace, or you have been searching for air conditioning installation London with a view to buying and installing an air conditioning system, you might be wondering about the eventual costs. There are a few different factors to consider in terms of AC, and the energy costs linked to it will depend on the type of unit and system, the output, and the size and layout of the property you have and which the AC system will service.
The cost of an air conditioning unit will grow exponentially with the size of the room it is servicing and the level of output (the wattage). The best way to be accurate with working out the potential costs of an AC unit, therefore, is to speak with the experts. A professional installation service has the team at hand to give you the projected costs depending on the type of unit you wish to install, your intended use, and the size of the room. It is always better to get this level of detail included within the quote, prior to installation of the air conditioning unit.
We can provide you with a rough idea though measurement data:
- 2.5kW = £0.70 per hour
- 3.5kW = £0.98 p/h
- 5.0kW = £1.40 p/h
- 7.0kW = £1.96 p/h
These are of course general figures based on energy costs from 2022. For an accurate figure your AC installation team can provide you with the projected costs for specific air conditioning models.
What are the factors to determining costs?
There are a few different types and models of air conditioning units and the type you choose will have an impact on your electricity bill.
Portable units are an easy choice as they are versatile and can be moved between different locations in the property. All you need to do is plug it in and away you go in that space. The performance is an issue though, as they do not have the same full capacity to fully reduce temperatures and are therefore less efficient and more costly than other types of AC units.
Central, ‘ducted’ air conditioning systems are professionally installed and rely on ducts to circulate air around a property. It is dispersed by the central unit and uses a fan system to sweep the air through the ducts. This type of AC unit makes most sense in commercial spaces that have limited space available. The higher the levels of air required to travel through the ducts, the more air is lost, and the process is required to repeat itself, again, making running costs high in some cases.
Split air conditioning systems are where you have wall or ceiling mounted AC units that are used to control the temperature and air flow in different parts of the property. With more precision in the control of the system, you can cool or heat different rooms without the waste of the entire system being used. These are popular in domestic properties and although there is a higher installation cost, they are more energy efficient and cost-effective over a longer period of time.
The age of your unit will have an impact on the efficiency of the system, meaning that over time the running costs will escalate as the maximum output is difficult to reach. This is why air conditioning maintenance is so important. Other things that have an impact on the energy costs associated with your AC unit include the number of hours you keep the system running each day, the efficiency of the AC system, and factors away from the unit itself, such as how well your property is insulated. Air conditioning maintenance when performed regularly and correctly can have a massive impact on the associated energy costs. Regular maintenance ensures that the unit is carefully inspected, and that any little niggly problems are picked up early. This helps to maintain a high and efficient standard for the AC over time, boosting its longevity, and in the process making it work more efficiently. A more efficient system will run in a way that uses less power and is therefore more cost efficient.
There are of course pros and cons to installing an air conditioning system at your property. This is especially the case when you consider the current UK energy crisis and the rising costs associated with electricity. We hope this has helped you work out the costs of air conditioning installation London if that is what you’ve been searching for. Determining the costs of an air conditioning system will depend on several factors, from the type and size of the unit itself, the property it is servicing, and your intended use. Being careful with how you manage the use of the AC system, and whether you go for a smart AC or traditional system will also have an impact on the energy costs. Overall, though, the benefits outweigh the negatives for us. Installing an AC system at your property will help you to maintain a balanced, comfortable temperature that suits your needs.
Photo credits: Coworking London