Find a trusted air-con installer in Adelaide

Evaporative or reverse-cycle for Adelaide’s dry heat

Most of Adelaide’s summer heat is dry, and that’s why so many roofs here still carry an evaporative cooler. Evaporative systems work well on hot, low-humidity days, are relatively cheap to run and need windows or doors open to do their job. They struggle on the occasional humid day and do nothing for winter. A rooftop cooler also needs a service before summer, with new pads, a clean of the water tray and a check of the float and drain valves, to keep it efficient and stop that musty smell.

Reverse-cycle air con, whether split, multi-head or ducted, cools whatever the humidity and heats the house through chilly winter nights too. That’s why a lot of homeowners replacing a tired evaporative system or an old gas heater go with reverse-cycle ducted. If you already have rooftop solar, as many South Australian homes do, running the air con through the sunny part of the afternoon makes good use of it.

Sizing and installing in older Adelaide homes

Villas with ceilings well over three metres hold a lot more air than a modern room with the same floor area, so sizing should come from a proper heat-load check, not a rule of thumb. Solid stone and double brick walls take longer to core through for the pipework, and a long run from the back of the house to the outdoor unit adds cost. In a historic or character area, ask whether an outdoor unit on the street side would need approval, and think about noise near a neighbour’s bedroom window.

Timing matters too. Installers are busiest once the first heatwave arrives, so booking in winter or spring makes it easier to get the unit and install date you want.

Licences on an air con install in SA

An air con installation in South Australia can involve three licences. Installing it is building work, so the business needs a Consumer and Business Services licence that covers air conditioning. The electrical connection needs a CBS-registered electrical worker. And the technician handling the refrigerant needs an Australian Refrigeration Council licence, which you can check on the ARC Licence Check. The CBS licences are searchable on the CBS Occupational Public Register, and our SA licence guide explains both lookups.

Air con installation prices in Adelaide

What you pay in Adelaide depends mostly on the system and the house. A standard split system typically costs $1,500–$3,000 supplied and installed, or $600–$1,500 to install a unit you’ve already bought. Multi-head systems run about $4,500–$11,000, reverse-cycle ducted $8,000–$18,000 for most houses, and a service $120–$300 per split. A new power circuit is extra. See the air con price guide for sizes and what pushes the price up.

Matching you with one Adelaide installer

Tell us which rooms you want cooled or heated and where you live, from Seaford to Gawler. We’ll find one local installer and check their CBS licence, refrigerant licence, insurance and reviews before introducing you. No flood of quotes, no hard sell, and it’s free for you.

For other cities, see our air conditioning page. Our Adelaide page covers the other trades we match. Get a free quote to get started.