Air conditioning guides
Air conditioning guides, explained plainly
Straight answers to the questions homeowners and pub landlords in Kent and south-east London ask us most: what air conditioning costs to fit and run, whether you need planning permission, which system suits your rooms, and when to repair or replace. Each guide starts with a short answer, cites its sources and is written by Olly Hughes, who quotes and fits every job himself.
Written by Olly HughesOwner and engineer at Apex. He fits the systems these guides describe.
4 guides
Thinking about air conditioning
Cost, value and planning: the questions to answer before you get a quote.
How much does air conditioning cost to fit in the UK?
Air conditioning cost in the UK for 2026: published fitted prices for one room, a 3-bed house and ducted systems, what moves the price, and what to ask.
Read the guide · 8 minIs air conditioning worth it in the UK?
Is air conditioning worth it in the UK? Who it suits, what it costs to fit and run, how it heats in winter, and when a fixed system isn't the right buy.
Read the guide · 7 minSingle split vs multi split air conditioning: which do you need?
Single split vs multi split air conditioning: published costs, outdoor unit planning limits, running costs, and what happens if the outdoor unit fails.
Read the guide · 7 minDo I need planning permission for air conditioning?
Planning permission for air conditioning in England since May 2025: the heat-and-cool rule, the 37 dB(A) noise test, flats, conservation areas and shops.
Read the guide · 8 min
2 guides
Living with it
What it costs to run, and what to do when an older system starts to struggle.
How much does air conditioning cost to run in the UK?
Air conditioning running costs at the October 2026 price cap: per hour, per night and all day, for cooling and heating, with simple ways to cut the bill.
Read the guide · 7 minShould I repair or replace my old air conditioning?
Repair or replace air conditioning? How long systems last, what the refrigerant label tells you, and when R22 or R410A makes replacing the better buy.
Read the guide · 8 min
1 guide
Pubs and cellars
For landlords and cellar managers keeping beer in condition.
Ready to talk about your own rooms?
The guides give you the published figures and the rules. For a price on your home, see how our air conditioning installation works, book a service or a repair, or read about cellar cooling for pubs. Every new system starts with a free survey and a fixed written quote.
Olly HughesTalk to Olly directly
Tell Olly what you need
Send a photo of the room or the unit on WhatsApp, or give him a call. Olly will tell you honestly what will work and what it costs.
07383 978970