Ultimate Guide to Air Conditioning in Sydney. Part 2
Installation, Maintenance & Best Systems by Air Cooling

Budgeting for air conditioning involves understanding both the initial installation costs and the ongoing service expenses. While actual quotes will depend on your specific situation, here are general cost ranges for common air conditioning jobs in Sydney to give you a ballpark:

• Split System Installation (Single Unit): For a typical wall-mounted split system supply and install, expect about $1,200 to $3,500 total for a standard size unit. This range covers smaller 2–2.5 kW units up to larger 7–8 kW units. The unit price itself might be around $600 (for a small basic model) up to $2,000+ (for a premium large model), and installation usually adds about $600 – $1,000 depending on complexity. If the installation is back-to-back (indoor unit on inside wall directly behind where outdoor unit sits outside), that’s typically on the lower end of cost. Longer pipe runs, difficult access (like high-set indoor units or multi-storey), or additional work like installing a new dedicated circuit to the switchboard can push install costs higher. Still, split systems remain one of the most cost-effective to install.
• Multi-Split System Installation: Multi-split costs vary with the number of indoor units (heads) and total capacity. As a rough guide, a multi-split with 2 indoor units might cost around $3,000 to $6,000, while a 4-head system could be $5,000 to $10,000. The outdoor unit for multi-splits is expensive, but you save compared to buying, say, four separate splits. Note that if installation requires extensive refrigerant line runs to each room (especially in a finished home), labor costs can rise. It’s definitely worth getting a quote, as multi-splits can sometimes approach the cost of ducted if many rooms are involved. The benefit is you circumvent duct installation costs. Multi-splits are more niche, so ensure your installer (like Air Cooling) is experienced with them for an accurate cost assessment.
• Ducted System Installation: Ducted air conditioning is the priciest but also the most comprehensive solution. For a small ducted system (e.g. for an apartment or a small 2-3 bedroom single-story house), starting costs are around $5,000 – $8,000 including basic installation. For an average 4-bedroom single-storey home, costs commonly range $8,000 to $15,000 all up. Larger or double-storey homes can see $15,000 to $20,000+ if multiple zones, extra ducts, or higher capacity units are needed. The unit (fan coil + compressor) for ducted might run $5k to $10k alone (depending on brand and capacity), and installation is a big job: cutting vents, laying ducts, possibly upgrading electrical circuits, etc. Complexity factors include whether the home has easy roof access, how many zones/dampers you want, and any custom work (like two-story duct routing or tight roof spaces requiring workaround). Though expensive upfront, remember a ducted can add value to your property and covers the whole house climate in one go.
• Replacement or Additional Units: If you already have a system and are replacing it (like swapping an old split for a new one), costs can be slightly lower if using existing infrastructure (wiring, slab, etc.), but often it’s similar to a new install because the old unit must be safely removed and disposed of. Removal fees for an old unit can be ~$100–$300 if not included. Adding another split unit later in another room will cost similarly to the initial one. Ducted system extensions or modifications (like adding an extra duct/run to a new room) might cost a few hundred dollars per new outlet if the main unit can handle it.
• Operating Costs: While not an installation cost, it’s good to anticipate running costs. A medium-sized (5 kW) split system might cost roughly $0.25–$0.35 per hour to run on cooling, depending on electricity rates and efficiency. Multiply that by hours used to estimate your quarterly bill portion. Ducted systems consume more – perhaps $1.50 – $3.00 per hour if cooling the whole house (less if only a zone or two). Consider these when choosing system capacity and zoning – sometimes spending a bit more on a high-efficiency model will pay back in lower bills.
• Routine Servicing: For maintenance, basic service visits in Sydney typically range $150 to $250 for a residential split system. This would include cleaning filters, coils, checking refrigerant, electrical, etc. Ducted system service might be a bit more, say $250 to $400, as there are multiple zones/vents and a larger system to inspect. If you opt for a yearly service plan with Air Cooling, we often provide a better rate per service or include priority support. Budget for at least one service a year. Some customers do two (pre-summer and post-summer) especially if the AC runs heavily – but one is usually sufficient for most homes. Also factor in small parts replacement during service: e.g., replacing a worn capacitor or a filter might be an extra $50–$100 occasionally.
• Repairs: It’s harder to generalize repair costs because it depends on what fails and if the unit is under warranty. Common minor repairs include replacing capacitors, fan motors, or sensors – these can range from $200 to $600 including parts and labor. Fixing a refrigerant leak and re-gassing might cost $300 to $800 depending on leak location and refrigerant type/amount. More major repairs like a compressor replacement can be very costly ($1,500+), such that sometimes replacement of the whole unit is considered if it’s an older unit. The good news: if you buy quality brands and maintain them, major failures are relatively rare in the first 10-15 years. Many issues, if they occur, will be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty in the first 5 years (parts and labor), so ensure professional installation and keep records of maintenance to uphold warranty.

In summary, an average Sydney homeowner might spend a couple thousand dollars for a single-room AC install, or into the low five figures for a full-home solution. After that, setting aside a couple hundred each year for servicing will keep your system efficient and help avoid large repair bills. It’s also wise to compare quotes and inquire about any promotions or rebates – sometimes there are government incentives for high-efficiency systems or bundle deals (Air Cooling can inform you of any current specials). For example, as of writing, some energy rebate programs exist to encourage upgrading old systems to new efficient ones – these could offset cost if you qualify.

Air Cooling strives to offer competitive pricing for installations and transparent estimates for any service or repair. We understand installing air conditioning is an investment, and we aim to ensure you get the best value in terms of both price and long-term performance. By being informed about cost ranges, you can budget accordingly and make the choice that gives you the comfort you need within your means. If you’re ever unsure, we’re happy to provide obligation-free quotes and answer questions so you can make an informed decision.