Air conditioning running costs — and why solar makes them almost nothing
18 August 2026 · 5 min read
What an inverter split system really costs per hour, why summer cooling lines up perfectly with solar generation, and how it heats in winter too.
Hourly running costs
A 2kW wall-mounted inverter unit typically draws 400-700W once the room reaches temperature, not its full rated power. At current tariffs that is pennies per hour rather than the pounds people expect.
Installation for a single split system starts from £1,400 and takes a day.
Why solar and cooling pair so well
Peak cooling demand happens on bright afternoons — exactly when your panels are producing most. In practice that means summer cooling runs on your own generation instead of imported electricity, which is why we price solar and air conditioning together as a package.
- Cooling demand peaks at the same time as solar output
- Converted loft bedrooms benefit most
- One visit, one set of cabling, one price
It heats, too
A modern inverter system in heating mode is an air-to-air heat pump. In homes with no gas supply — plenty around Erith, Belvedere and Thamesmead East — it is often the cheapest way to heat a room quickly.
Common questions
Is air conditioning noisy?
Modern indoor units run at around 19-25dB on low fan — quieter than a fridge. Outdoor unit placement is chosen at survey to keep noise away from bedrooms and neighbours.
Do you service the units afterwards?
Yes. We recommend an annual filter and refrigerant check, which we carry out ourselves as part of our maintenance service.