AC installation price in 2026 — what really sets the cost

Why "cheap" ads mislead

The advertised minimum is a marketing door-opener. It exists to make you call; then, once the crew is on site, the price climbs: "the pipe is long here", "the wall is concrete", "the outdoor unit has to go up high". Often the final figure is 3–5× the advertised one.

The problem is not that the price rises — extra work is often genuinely needed. The problem is that you were given an unreal number up front, so you cannot compare offers honestly. And the crews that truly do the job "for GEL 25" save money where the client cannot see it — on the vacuum, on refrigerant weight, on mounts.

What really sets the cost

Capacity. Installing a 9,000 BTU unit and a 24,000 BTU unit are different jobs — a larger unit is heavier, needs stronger mounts, thicker copper and a more careful electrical line. Cost rises with capacity.

Copper line length. A factory unit is charged for 5–7 m of pipe. If the distance between indoor and outdoor exceeds that, you need extra pipe and, crucially, extra refrigerant per the factory table. Every extra metre is both material and labour.

Wall type. Drilling through brick is one thing; through monolithic concrete or a thick facade is another. Concrete drilling needs stronger tools, more time and consumable bits.

Outdoor-unit access and height. If the outdoor unit goes on a balcony or a reachable facade, that is standard work. If a high floor requires rope access, a lift or facade rigging, that is added risk, time and labour — directly reflected in price.

Electrical prep. An AC needs a dedicated line with the right breaker. If the apartment has no ready line, you need cable routing, a breaker and grounding — separate work that often never appears in a "cheap" offer.

One or two of these factors almost always change the initial picture. So when two crews quote different prices for the very same apartment, it often means one of them accounts for these details while the other deliberately leaves them out of the ad.

Season and scheduling

Timing indirectly affects price too. At the summer peak, when everyone wants an install at once, crews are overloaded and waiting times grow. An install scheduled in spring or autumn is more convenient both for the calendar and for an unhurried job — the technician is not rushed and gives each step its proper time.

It also matters that the install is planned before or alongside the purchase. Often a client buys the AC first and only then discovers that the chosen spot is hard to install or needs extra work. A prior site visit avoids these surprises.

What a cheap install hides

The vacuum test. A 30–45 minute process with a dedicated pump that removes moisture and air from the system. Whoever works "cheap" often skips it entirely — the unit runs at first, but the compressor wears out within 1–3 years.

Correct refrigerant charge. When the line is extended, topping up gas is mandatory. A cheap crew often skips it — the unit runs at lower capacity while the compressor wears under constant load.

Mounts and vibration dampers. A cheap install uses weak or insufficient mounts and skips dampers — the result is noise and sometimes a swaying outdoor unit.

The "price" of these savings shows up later: higher power bills, frequent repairs and, finally, a compressor replacement that costs a large share of a new unit. The "saved" amount comes back to the owner several times over.

How to compare offers properly

Do not compare the headline figure alone. Ask whether the price includes the vacuum, refrigerant top-up for an extended line, mounts, dampers and warranty registration. These details separate a lasting install from a one-off.

An exact price is possible only after clarifying the unit capacity, install location and complexity. That is why we quote individually, and the phone consultation is free.