How much does it cost to have an air conditioner installed in 2026?

For a single split with one indoor unit expect €1,200 to €3,500 all-in. At the bottom is a basic model of 2.5 to 3.5 kW with standard pipework, at the top a heavier premium brand or a more difficult pipe run. A multisplit with two indoor units usually costs €2,500 to €4,000; with three units that goes up to €3,000 to €5,200.

Usually €400 to €1,000 for a single split. An installer spends 3 to 6 hours on it and charges for pipework, wall brackets, pulling a vacuum and commissioning. A long pipe run or an outdoor unit in a difficult spot goes up to about €2,000. Note: many installers only give a guarantee on the installation, not on a unit you bought yourself.

About €50 to €90 per hour excluding VAT and materials. An F-gas certified installer is at the top of that range, and that certificate is simply mandatory for systems with refrigerant.

For one indoor unit expect €75 to €150 per service; with multiple indoor units €150 to €250. If the unit has not been serviced for years, a deep clean is needed and a service costs €150 to €300. Many companies give a discount on a multi-year maintenance contract.

Almost all split air conditioners can. In heating mode the unit works as an air-to-air heat pump and usually delivers 3 to 4 times more heat than it consumes in electricity. For the shoulder seasons that is often cheaper than the boiler; in deep winter usually not.

For an ordinary home, usually not, but there is a noise requirement: at the property boundary with the neighbours, the unit may not produce more than 40 dB. An installer takes that into account when choosing the spot. If you live in an apartment or a listed building, check with the homeowners association or the municipality first.

Not on an ordinary air conditioner. The ISDE scheme is meant for heat pumps that are on the RVO notification list and are installed by a certified installer. The amount depends on the model: you get at least €500, and the indicative amount per device is on that list. Note that several things changed for 2026, including for split air-to-water heat pumps with a small refrigerant charge. Check your model on rvo.nl before commissioning.

A single split is usually done in half a day to a full day. For a multisplit with multiple indoor units and longer pipe runs, expect 1 to 2 days.

No, you pay 21% VAT on this, on labour as well as materials. The reduced 9% rate is limited to painting, plastering, wallpapering and the insulation of floors, walls and roofs in a home older than 2 years, plus cleaning work inside the home. If the same professional also does that kind of work as part of your job, that part may be charged at 9%. Ask for a quote that lists the parts separately, so you can see which rate applies to what.