Air conditioning for period and listed homes across the Highlands
For period homes in Inverness, we look at consoles in place of radiators and ducted units from the loft before anything else. If your home in Inverness is Victorian, Edwardian or older, a console or concealed system often works better than a high wall unit. In the Highlands, Islands and the North East of Scotland, systems are sized for cold winter days first.
Prices in the Highlands
Our Highlands, Islands and North East Scotland guide price for air conditioning for period and listed homes is £1,445–£7,095 per home, one room upwards, VAT included. It is a touch below the UK middle, as trade rates in the Highlands, Islands and North East Scotland tend to be. Longer or hidden pipe runs, high-level brackets and electrical upgrades are the usual reasons a quote lands at the top of the range. On our Highlands, Islands and North East Scotland figures, the Concealed option (ducted unit from a loft or void serving one or two rooms) is about £3,045–£4,845.
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
Listed homes in the Highlands need listed building consent from the council before any work, and permitted development does not apply to them. We plan low-impact routes, keep outdoor units out of sight and provide the details a consent application needs. Outdoor units on Scottish homes can often be installed without a planning application, but the conditions differ from England's, so we confirm the rules for your property at survey.
The survey
A survey in the Highlands usually takes one to two hours. We measure the rooms, check the walls and the consumer unit, agree the outdoor unit position with you and photograph the pipe routes. 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 air conditioning for period and listed homes across the Highlands:
- Careful routes that avoid cornicing and panelling
- Free survey with features and fabric recorded
- Drawings and product data for consent applications
- Pressure test, vacuum and commissioning
- Console or concealed ducted options
- Work started only once consent is in place
Towns in the Highlands
Pick your town for local details, or see every service in the Highlands.