When it comes to adding value to your property, there are endless possibilities. With the summer heatwaves becoming a regular occurrence in the UK, air conditioning installations are becoming more common. The question is, does air conditioning add value to your property?
Installing Air Conditioning In Your Property
Today, more homeowners than ever before are investing in high-performance air conditioning units. This doesn’t only make your property more attractive, but also improves the air quality and ventilation in your home.
In fact, in today’s property market, AC units are not only seen as a luxury but a necessity. This is especially true if you work and live in the heart of London where temperatures frequently soar to 30 degrees or more in the summer months.
There are a wide range of air conditioning units available that are perfect for accommodating the requirements of both commercial and residential properties. The value added to the property will depend on the type and size of air conditioning system installed.
Central Air Conditioning
Central air conditioning refers to a system that provides cool and warm air to your entire property through ducting and grilles. They use a central wall mounted controller. This means that the system will maintain the entire home to the same temperature. This type of system is more common in the U.S. where air conditioning is more often replied on.
Split and Multi Split Systems
Split and multi split systems are the most common type of AC installation in the UK. They consist of one or multiple units, connected to the same system. With multi split systems, you can add up to five indoor units of different cooling capacities. They also allow you to control the climate of each room separately. There are different types of units that you can install with a multi split system.
Wall Mounted Units
Wall mounted units are one of the most cost-effective and versatile type of air conditioning unit. They are relatively quick and easy to install. Available in different colours and sizes, they are easy to tailor to suit your style and requirements.
Installing this type of system can costs anywhere between £1,250-£9,000 depending on the size of the property and the number of units you are looking to install.
Ducted Units
Ducted units are more expensive to install than wall units, however, benefits from visual appeal. This type of system is best installed as part of a building project as the duct work is installed in a suspended ceiling. The only visible element are the small grilles in the ceiling.
Installing ducted AC in your home can cost anywhere between £2,000 – £14,000 depending on the size of your property and the number of rooms that you are looking to cool.
Ceiling Cassette Units
Ceiling cassette units are more common in commercial buildings. They are more discreet than wall mounted units and are easy to retrofit in a suspended ceiling. They are ideal for larger spaces, featuring four-way air flow for even cooling distribution.
Installing ceiling cassette units can cost between £2,000 – £14,000, depending on the size of the property and number of units to be installed.
Water cooled Air Conditioning
If you own a property such as an apartment or grade II listed building, chances are that you can not install a traditional air conditioning system. This is usually due to property restrictions that do not allow the installation of an external condenser. Water cooled air conditioners offer the ideal solution. These units do not require an external unit. As a result, they are installed and contained within the property. Apartments and listed buildings have the tendency to get hot and stuffy in the warmer months so the addition of an AC system would make your property highly sought after.
Water cooled units cost between £4,700 – £16,000, depending on the type and amount of units you are looking to install.
Does air conditioning add value to your property?
In short, yes air conditioning not only adds value to your property but makes it more desirable. It will set your property apart from other properties on the market.
The value added to your property will depend on the quality and type of unit you have installed. This will also affect the desirability of your property. There isn’t enough data in the UK to determine the exact increase in property value, however, we can get a rough idea based on statistics from the U.S. According to Money, a central AC system can increase the value of your home by up to 10%. This is based off having air conditioning throughout your entire property. Based on this percentage, for a £300,000 home in the UK, high quality central air conditioning could roughly add up to £30,000 to your home. This offsets the installation costs, leaving you to enjoy significant return on your investment.
Talk to the experts
With over 35 years’ experience in air conditioning, we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise. If you are looking to install air conditioning in your property but are unsure of what type of system would best suit your needs, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our team of dedicated F-Gas engineers are available to assist with free consultation and site surveys to help you find the ideal system for your property.
