Air conditioning for period and listed homes across East Sussex
If your home in Brighton is Victorian, Edwardian or older, a console or concealed system often works better than a high wall unit. For period homes in Brighton, we look at consoles in place of radiators and ducted units from the loft before anything else. The South East sees some of the UK's warmest summer days, and south-facing rooms and conservatories feel it first.
Prices in East Sussex
Our South East England guide price for air conditioning for period and listed homes is £1,995–£9,695 per home, one room upwards, VAT included. South East England is one of the dearer parts of the UK for trades, which shows in the range. Concealed pipework, access equipment for high walls and any electrical work are what push prices towards the upper figure. Typical Concealed work (ducted unit from a loft or void serving one or two rooms) lands around £4,195–£6,645 in this area.
Console
Low-level console in place of a radiator, rear outdoor unit.
Concealed
Ducted unit from a loft or void serving one or two rooms.
Mixed
Consoles downstairs and ducted upstairs on one system.
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%.
Listed building consent
For a listed property in East Sussex, consent comes first: the council decides on the outdoor unit position, the pipe routes and any change to historic fabric. Conservation areas add their own limits on units facing a road. In England, most houses can have an outdoor unit under permitted development if it is no larger than 1.5 m³, meets the MCS 020(a) noise limit of 37 dB(A) at the nearest neighbour's window, and there are no more than two on a detached house or one on other houses. Listed buildings need consent.
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 East Sussex at a time that suits you, including early evenings by arrangement, and send the written quote afterwards.
What is included
Included with air conditioning for period and listed homes across East Sussex:
- Pressure test, vacuum and commissioning
- Work started only once consent is in place
- Careful routes that avoid cornicing and panelling
- Drawings and product data for consent applications
- Console or concealed ducted options
- Free survey with features and fabric recorded
Towns in East Sussex
Pick your town for local details, or see every service in East Sussex.