Measure the real heat load
Room volume, glass, roof exposure, insulation, people and equipment all affect the capacity—not floor area alone.
The complete installation guide
Aircon installation done properly
Know what should happen before, during and after the installation—so you can judge the quote on more than price alone.
The short answer
Aircon installation is more than mounting two boxes. A professional job sizes the unit for the room, plans airflow, pipework and drainage, provides a suitable electrical supply, pressure-tests the refrigerant circuit and hands over the required compliance paperwork. Expect a standard single split installation to take roughly four to eight hours.
What installation involves
Six decisions behind a reliable result
A good installation starts with how the room behaves and ends with a safe, testable handover.
Choose the system type
A wall split suits many single rooms; multi-split and ducted systems solve different zoning and appearance needs.
Plan airflow and placement
The indoor unit should distribute air without blowing directly onto a bed, desk or one uncomfortable seat.
Route pipes and drainage
Refrigerant lines need correct insulation and support; condensate must drain reliably without staining walls or bothering neighbours.
Provide safe electrical work
The supply, isolator and protective devices must suit the equipment and form part of a compliant electrical installation.
Test and hand over
The installer should test performance, explain operation and cleaning, provide documentation and leave the work area neat.
Cost in context
Plan for the unit and the work around it
A straightforward back-to-back split installation often plans at around R2,500–R6,500 excluding the unit. A typical residential unit plus standard installation may sit around R8,000–R25,000, depending heavily on capacity and brand.
Those are guidance ranges, not quotes. Longer copper runs, trunking, core drilling, work at height, condensate pumps and electrical-board changes all affect the actual total.
See the full cost breakdownA useful written quote should show
- Exact indoor and outdoor unit model
- Included pipe length and price for extra metres
- Bracket, trunking, drainage and electrical scope
- Work at height or access charges
- Warranty responsibilities and service requirements
- Compliance paperwork to be supplied
Choose your corridor
Find the installer serving your area
The Western Cape and Gauteng routes stay separate. Choose a hub to see only the towns inside that corridor.
Western Cape corridor
Cape Town, the Winelands, Garden Route and Oudtshoorn.
See Western Cape townsGauteng corridor
Johannesburg, Pretoria, Hartbeespoort, Rustenburg and Krugersdorp.
See Gauteng townsStraight answers
Installation questions, answered plainly
How long does aircon installation take?
A straightforward single split-unit installation is commonly completed in about four to eight hours. A long pipe run, difficult wall, work at height, electrical-board changes or multiple indoor units can extend the job. The installer should explain the route, likely duration and any disruption after the site assessment.
What should I check before hiring an aircon installer?
Confirm that the person doing refrigerant work is SAQCC Gas registered, ask who will handle the electrical connection, request a written scope and price, and confirm that a valid Electrical Certificate of Compliance will be issued after installation. Keep the quote, registration details and CoC with your property records.
What size aircon do I need?
Size depends on room volume, insulation, window area, sun direction, roof exposure, occupancy and heat-producing equipment—not floor area alone. An undersized unit may run continuously; an oversized unit can cycle poorly and control humidity less effectively. Ask for a heat-load assessment before choosing BTU capacity.
Can one aircon cool several rooms?
Usually not well if doors, passages or different sun loads separate the rooms. A large open-plan zone may suit one correctly positioned unit, but bedrooms normally need independent zones. Multi-split or ducted systems can serve several rooms; the best choice depends on control, ceiling space, budget and how rooms are occupied.
One clear next step
Get connected with an aircon installer
Share the property type, your nearest listed town and whether you need a new installation or a replacement. Your area stays attached to the request.
- No obligation to proceed
- Your town stays attached to the request
- Prefer to talk? Call 060 086 9889
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