Ducted air conditioning in Cheltenham
South West summers are milder on the coast, but sheltered towns and south-facing rooms still overheat, and efficient winter heating matters just as much. For a renovation in Cheltenham, the best time to plan ducted cooling is before the plasterers arrive.
In an older house in Cheltenham, the loft and any existing bulkheads decide whether a ducted layout will work. Cheltenham lies roughly 7 miles from Gloucester, and we cover it as part of Gloucestershire. Coverage includes GL50 and GL52.
Prices in Cheltenham
In South West England, our guide range for ducted air conditioning is £5,450–£14,950 per system, including VAT. That is close to the UK middle for this kind of work. What moves a quote in Cheltenham up or down is mostly pipe length, how high the outdoor unit goes, and whether a new electrical circuit is needed. On our South West England figures, the Zoned option (motorised dampers or two units for separate floors or room groups) is about £7,450–£10,950.
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
At the survey we look at how each room is used, where the sun hits it and how the pipes can reach the outside wall, then put it all in a written quote. 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.
What is included
What a job in Cheltenham covers:
- Free survey with ceiling-void and loft inspection
- Concealed fan unit and outdoor unit sized to the zone
- Insulated ductwork, plenums and grilles
- Access hatch and condensate route planned in
- Wall controller or app control
Nearby
We also cover Gloucester (7 miles), Stroud (12 miles) and Evesham (14 miles). See all services in Cheltenham or ducted air conditioning across Gloucestershire.