Air conditioning replacement and upgrades in Reading
Cooling and heating for offices, shops and hospitality venues in Reading, with a free site survey and a fixed written quote.
- Free site survey and fixed written quote
- Unit sizes, refrigerant and price set out in writing
- Work planned around your opening hours
How much does it cost to replace air conditioning in Reading?
Our guide range in Reading is £1,895–£5,095 per indoor unit before VAT; a typical job (replacing a 3–4 unit system, re-using sound pipework) is £6,850–£16,695 plus VAT. Your exact price is fixed in writing once we have surveyed.
Air conditioning replacement is removing an old system — often one using R22 or R410A refrigerant — and installing new, more efficient equipment, re-using pipework where it is safe and compatible.
Our coverage in Reading
Reading is one of the main commercial centres in Berkshire, with city-centre offices, retail streets, hospitality venues and business parks on its edges.
Postcode districts we cover in Reading include RG1, RG6 and RG30. Nearby, we also cover Wokingham (about 11 km), Crowthorne (about 16 km) and Yateley (about 16 km). Buildings across Berkshire range from converted period offices to modern units with deep ceiling voids, so we measure each site rather than relying on a standard package.
What is included
- Condition survey of the existing system
- Pipework re-use assessment, flushing where suitable
- Refrigerant recovery with waste transfer documentation
- Removal and disposal of old equipment
- Installation of new efficient units
Replacement and upgrades prices in Reading
These guide prices are adjusted for the South East, where labour and access costs run about 15% above the UK guide.
| Item | Guide price (ex VAT) | Inc VAT | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like split replacement | £1,895–£3,950 | £2,274–£4,740 | per system |
| Cassette replacement | £2,450–£5,095 | £2,940–£6,114 | per unit |
| Refrigerant recovery and disposal | £225–£685 | £270–£822 | per system |
| Pipework flush and test (re-use) | £225–£685 | £270–£822 | per circuit |
Ex VAT, supply and install.
How it works in Reading
Survey
We record what is installed, its condition and refrigerant, and what can be re-used. For sites in Reading we confirm access and parking beforehand.
Plan the swap
Removal and installation are scheduled to keep downtime short.
Recover and remove
Refrigerant is recovered into certified cylinders and the old units removed.
Install and commission
New units are fitted, tested and commissioned with fresh records.
Things to check in Reading
Downtime
We schedule the swap to keep the space usable, often over a weekend.
Roof and height work
Flat roofs, high walls and atriums need the right access equipment and edge protection. We plan towers, MEWPs or scaffold before the job, not on the day.
Disposal
Old refrigerant must be recovered by certified engineers and the units disposed of as waste electrical equipment.
Conservation areas
Historic streets and listed buildings in and around Reading are more likely to need planning permission for outdoor units on visible elevations. We check with the local planning authority before work is booked.
Who we work with in Reading
- Hotels and hospitality: quiet bedroom units, public-area cooling and heat recovery for hotels.
- Healthcare and dental: clean, quiet cooling for surgeries, clinics, dental practices and care settings.
- Offices: zoned cooling and heating for open-plan floors, meeting rooms and comms rooms.
- Schools and education: classroom cooling, ventilation and IT room cooling, installed in the holidays.
In England, systems holding 5 tonnes CO2 equivalent of refrigerant or more fall under GB F-gas rules, with regular leak checks and records; buildings with more than 12 kW of air conditioning in total also need a periodic energy inspection.
Common questions from businesses in Reading
How much does it cost to replace air conditioning in Reading?
Guide prices in Reading run from about £1,895 to £5,095 per indoor unit, plus VAT. A typical job (replacing a 3–4 unit system, re-using sound pipework) costs £6,850–£16,695 plus VAT. We fix the price in writing after a free survey.
Do you also cover Wokingham, Crowthorne and Yateley?
Yes. Alongside Reading, we also cover Wokingham, Crowthorne and Yateley. Each has its own page with local guide prices.
Which postcodes do you cover in Reading?
All of them, including RG1, RG6 and RG30. Give us your postcode when you enquire and we will confirm the visit details.
What happens to the old refrigerant?
It is recovered into certified cylinders and sent for reclamation or destruction, with the paperwork kept on your records.
Is it illegal to use R22 air conditioning?
No — you can keep running an R22 system, but it cannot be maintained with virgin or recycled R22, so most repairs involving the refrigerant circuit are no longer possible.
Get a guide price for Reading
Free survey and fixed written quote. We reply with a guide price or to book the survey.