Ducted air conditioning in Cardiff
For a renovation in Cardiff, the best time to plan ducted cooling is before the plasterers arrive. South Wales summers can be warm and humid, and winters damp, so a reversible system earns its keep all year.
In an older house in Cardiff, the loft and any existing bulkheads decide whether a ducted layout will work. Cardiff is one of the main towns we cover in South Glamorgan, alongside Barry and Penarth. We cover CF10, CF11, CF14, CF15, CF23 and CF24 and the streets around them.
Prices in Cardiff
Ducted air conditioning in Cardiff typically comes in at £4,995–£13,745 per system including VAT, based on South and Mid Wales rates. It is a touch below the UK middle, as trade rates in South and Mid Wales tend to be. What moves a quote in Cardiff up or down is mostly pipe length, how high the outdoor unit goes, and whether a new electrical circuit is needed. As an example, the Zoned option (motorised dampers or two units for separate floors or room groups) would typically be £6,845–£10,045 here.
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
Wales removed its old 3 m boundary rule on 1 June 2026, so most houses in Cardiff can now have an outdoor unit under permitted development if it meets the MCS 020a noise condition. Listed buildings still need consent, and conservation areas have extra restrictions.
The survey
On a survey in Cardiff the engineer looks at room size, glazing, the route for pipes and drains, the electrics and where the outdoor unit can sit quietly, then the written quote follows. 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.
What is included
Included with ducted air conditioning in Cardiff:
- Insulated ductwork, plenums and grilles
- Access hatch and condensate route planned in
- Wall controller or app control
- Commissioning with airflow balancing per grille
- Free survey with ceiling-void and loft inspection
Nearby
Neighbouring places we cover include Penarth (3 miles), Dinas Powys (3 miles) and Caerphilly (7 miles). See all services in Cardiff or ducted air conditioning across South Glamorgan.