Ducted air conditioning in Reading
In an older house in Reading, the loft and any existing bulkheads decide whether a ducted layout will work. Summers in the South East are among the warmest in the country, so cooling often comes first, with efficient winter heating as a bonus.
Ducted systems suit Reading loft conversions and new extensions where ceilings are being boarded anyway. Reading is one of the main towns we cover in Berkshire, alongside Slough and Bracknell. Homes in RG1, RG6 and RG30 are all within our coverage.
Prices in Reading
Ducted air conditioning in Reading typically comes in at £6,645–£18,245 per system including VAT, based on South East England rates. Prices here sit above the national middle, reflecting South East England labour rates and parking and access costs. The biggest variables are the pipe route, access for the outdoor unit and the state of the consumer unit, all of which the survey settles. Typical Zoned work (motorised dampers or two units for separate floors or room groups) lands around £9,095–£13,345 in this area.
Single zone
One ducted unit serving two or three rooms from a loft or void.
Zoned
Motorised dampers or two units for separate floors or room groups.
Whole home
Multiple ducted units with linear slot diffusers and smart control.
Guide prices show VAT at 20%. HMRC treats most fixed air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps installed in homes as energy-saving materials, zero-rated until 31 March 2027 when we supply and fit them. If your installation qualifies, your quote shows 0% VAT and a lower price. Servicing, repairs, cleaning and controls are charged at 20%.
Planning and permissions
Since 29 May 2025, England's permitted development rules allow larger outdoor units (up to 1.5 m³) and no longer require a 1 m gap to the boundary, provided the MCS 020(a) noise check is met. Listed buildings and pitched-roof installs still need permission.
The survey
The free survey is where the real price is set: room measurements, pipe and drain routes, electrical checks and the outdoor unit position, all written into your quote. We book surveys in Reading at a time that suits you, including early evenings by arrangement, and send the written quote afterwards.
What is included
Here is what is included on every job in Reading:
- Wall controller or app control
- Access hatch and condensate route planned in
- Commissioning with airflow balancing per grille
- Free survey with ceiling-void and loft inspection
- Concealed fan unit and outdoor unit sized to the zone
Nearby
Close to Reading, our coverage also includes Lower Earley (3 miles), Henley-on-Thames (6 miles) and Wokingham (7 miles). See all services in Reading or ducted air conditioning across Berkshire.