What Are Air Conditioning Unit Prices in Ireland?
Like many products, the cost of air conditioners in Ireland will depend on the type of air conditioning unit you choose, but prices can range from as low as €275 to well over €3,000, and significantly more for comprehensive systems.
In Ireland, there are three main types of air conditioners:
- Portable Air Conditioners unit
- Air Conditioning Units
- Air Conditioning Systems
The three types of air conditioners vary in both price and function.
| Type | Description | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Portable Air Conditioners | Can be placed where needed around the house. | €275 to €650 |
| Air Conditioning Unit | Usually mounted on an interior wall or window. | €2,100 to €3,500 |
| Air Conditioning System | Integrated into heating system or ceiling fixture. | €2,500 to €15,000 |
Last Updated: March 2026
What Are the Best Air Conditioner Unit Brands?
When comparing air conditioning unit brands, whether for a portable unit or a full installed system, you should look beyond just the initial price tag.
Factors to consider include:
- Running Costs — Look for SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for split/central units and EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) for window/portable units. Higher numbers indicate greater efficiency.
- Reliability & Durability (Longevity) — Research the brand's history and reputation for building long-lasting products. Brands like Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, and Panasonic are known for their robust build quality.
- Noise Levels — Many brands offer 'sleep' or 'silent' modes that reduce fan speed and noise, though this may slightly reduce cooling power.
- Cooling & Heating Performance (Effectiveness) — Ensure the unit's capacity is correctly sized for your room or home. An undersized unit will struggle, while an oversized one will cycle on and off frequently, wasting energy and not dehumidifying properly.
- Warranty & After-Sales Support — Compare the length of the warranty for the compressor (often longer) and other parts. A longer warranty indicates manufacturer confidence.
- Price (Upfront & Long-Term) — For installed units, this is a significant part of the total cost and varies by complexity.
By systematically comparing brands across these crucial factors, you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs and budget.
| Brand | Core Strengths | Avg. Installed Price (Single Split System)* |
|---|---|---|
| Daikin | Premium quality, high efficiency, innovation | €2,200 - €3,500 |
| Mitsubishi Electric | Reliability, quiet operation, energy efficiency | €2,100 - €3,400 |
| Panasonic | Energy saving, smart features, good range | €2,000 - €3,200 |
| LG | Innovative design, smart connectivity, value | €2,000 - €3,100 |
| Fujitsu | Renowned for quietness, solid performance | €1,900 - €3,000 |
Last Updated: March 2026
Where Can I Buy an Air Conditioning Unit in Ireland?
Air conditioning units can be bought either online, or in home DIY stores.
We recommend factoring in costs associated with delivery, installation etc when considering to buy a unit instore or online.
Below you will find an overview of where you can buy air conditioning units in Ireland:
| Retailer | Primary Focus | Online Store | Physical Stores | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B&Q | Portable, some split ACs & components | Yes | Yes | Good for portable ACs. May stock basic split units, but typically don't offer installation. |
| Screwfix Ireland | Portable AC Units, some components | Yes | Yes | Primarily portable units and accessories. |
| Woodies | Portable AC Units, fans | Yes | Yes | Focuses on portable units and general cooling. |
| Currys Ireland | Portable AC Units | Yes | Yes | Strong selection of portable ACs, often with competitive deals. |
| DID Electrical | Portable AC Units | Yes | Yes | Offers a range of portable air conditioners. |
| Harvey Norman | Portable AC Units | Yes | Yes | Carries several portable AC brands. |
| Teoair | All types (portable, fixed split, multi-split, ducted) | Yes (for info/quotes) | Yes (Dublin area) | Specialises in supply & installation; offers free site surveys. |
| CityCool | Portable (hire/sale), Fixed Systems | Yes (for info/quotes) | Yes (Dublin area) | Offers both portable units and full fixed AC installations. |
| Diamond Air Conditioning Ltd. | Primarily installed systems (Panasonic distributor) | Yes (for info/quotes) | Yes (Offices) | Official distributor for Panasonic, works with specialist installers. |
| Crosbie Group | Installed systems (Daikin, Mitsubishi, Samsung) | Yes (for info/quotes) | Yes (Offices) | Supply, installation, and maintenance for residential and commercial. |
| ClimaMarket (EU based) | Wide range of AC units (including fixed) | Yes | No | Ships to Ireland; requires separate qualified installer for fixed systems. |
Last Updated: March 2026
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What Is an Air Conditioning Unit?
An air conditioning unit is a larger unit often physically attached to a wall or window and range from €2,100 to €2,500 in price.
There are different types of air conditioning units, which we list and describe below:
Types of Air Conditioning Units
- High-wall air conditioners — These are relatively easy to install, high on an exterior wall or above windows. It requires some ducting installation in the cavity of the wall and connects to an exterior mechanism which will draw the warm air out.
- Low-wall air conditioners — Similar principle as the high wall air conditioner, except they are positioned closer to the ground. Looking like another home heating radiator, essentially.
- Window air conditioner — These are a little less expensive than the wall units as no ducting is required. The unit is installed in the window itself (half inside and the other half outside), and warm air is immediately drawn away from the home.
What Are Portable Air Conditioners?
Portable air conditioners units in Ireland are the most economical choice you will find. They are easy to use since, as the name suggests, they come on wheels which allows you to move the unit in a room which needs cooling.
Most portable air conditioners unit will range between €275 to €495. Their big drawback is that you still need some ducting, meaning, there still needs to be a pipe going to the outside of the home for the warm air to escape.
What Is an Air Conditioning System?
Most air conditioning systems will have a dual function and work as a heating source during the cold winter months as well as an air conditioner.
As one can imagine, these can be quite simple or very elaborate in larger homes. Their price tags can start as low as €2,000, but most will cost more depending on the size of your home.
The three main types of air conditioning systems found are as follows:
- Ducted air conditioners — These are great as they can even be fitted out of sight in places such as the attic. There are all sorts of designs available, most of which fit flush with the wall or ceiling.
- Cassette air conditioners — A cassette air conditioner is installed in the ceiling in the middle of the room. It pushes the air in all four directions, making for a more even room temperature.
- Multi-split air conditioners — This is an elaborate version of an air conditioning unit. In a multi-split system, the ducting is split inside the house to connect the one single outdoor mechanism to multiple indoor air conditioning units. It ends up saving a lot of outdoor space.
Is Using Air Conditioning Units Expensive?
Given that an air conditioner unit can consume between 0.75 to 3 kilowatts per hour of use, they can be expensive appliances to run and increase the cost of monthly bills.
If we take a standard air conditioner that consumes 1.5 kWh per hour installed in a home, that's paying 0.28c per kWh. Using it for 6 hours during the day would cost an estimated €2.50 per day, or almost €18 per week.
Factors Affecting AC Costs:
- Size and model — The bigger the unit, the more expensive it will be.
- Frequency of use — Using air conditioners for long periods of time will increase costs.
- Electricity rates — An expensive unit rate combined with an energy intensive appliance like AC racks up costs.
- Ambient temperature — If outside temperatures are high, the AC has to work harder to cool the room.
- Energy efficiency — AC units rated A or B for efficiency will cost less to run.
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Is it Worth Using Air Conditioner Units in Ireland?
The cost benefit ratio to the value of installing air conditioner units in Irish homes is still up for debate when compared to the cost of home heating.
While average temperatures have increased globally, Ireland is yet to see the kind of temperature increase that warrant the extended use of air conditioning units in homes.
Given their expense, both in terms of installation and energy consumption, we recommend some alternative ways to keep cool in Ireland:
- Invest in a small, portable fan that can be used where necessary in your home.
- Keep windows open to try and create a through-draft to cool your house.
- Close your curtains to block the heat entering.
- Install shades over your windows to reduce the impact of direct sunlight.
- Try to prepare cold dishes and avoid using the oven or hob.
How Do Air Conditioning Units Work?
An air conditioner functions by extracting the warm air out of the room it is in and replacing it with cooler air. This subsequently lowers the room temperature, which in most cases you can set to a level of your choice.
Here is how an air conditioning system works to lower the temperatures:
- The air conditioning unit will suck the hot air into its system.
- With the use of electricity, the system circulates a coolant through pipes inside.
- The coolant captures the warm air and sends it outside the room.
- The initial hot air that was taken has now been slightly cooled and is thrown back into the room.
- This process is repeated, gradually lowering the room temperature until the desired setting is reached.
Passive Cooling Systems
A passive cooling system is meant to keep a building or home at comfortable temperatures without, or with very little, use of energy.
This is an important concept and one which is gaining in popularity given the push to protect the environment and lower our carbon footprint.
Common passive cooling techniques:
- Heat Dissipation — This is to send the heat elsewhere through natural convection, such as with the use of a thermal mass or a heat sink.
- Ventilation — Ensuring your home has a good cross and stack ventilation is another effective way to naturally cool its interior.
- Night Flushing — Considered to be a semi-passive technique as it involves creating ventilation at night when temperatures are naturally cooler.
- Evaporation Cooling — This works in conjunction with water. For example, the water keeps the roof cool, as heat needs to evaporate the water before it can continue its path inside the home.
- Earth Coupling — This principal uses the consistent and mild temperature of the soil to keep indoor temperatures comfortable. Very similar to the principles used in a geothermal heat pump.
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