A new air conditioner is only as good as the way it is installed. An undersized unit runs flat out all afternoon and still leaves the room warm. A badly drained indoor unit drips down the wall. A system charged without a proper vacuum loses efficiency within a season.
We supply and install split and ducted air conditioning for villas, apartments, offices and shops in Dubai and across all seven emirates. Each job starts with a look at the room or building, a capacity recommendation you can check, and a written quote that lists what is included.
What a proper AC installation includes
Installing an air conditioner is more than fixing a unit to the wall. A split system has two halves: the indoor unit that blows cool air into the room, and the outdoor condensing unit that rejects heat outside. They are joined by insulated copper refrigerant pipes, a control cable and a condensate drain.
A complete installation covers:
- mounting both units securely, with the outdoor unit positioned for free airflow
- running and insulating the copper pipework
- routing the condensate drain so water leaves by gravity or a small pump
- connecting the unit to a suitable electrical supply with its own isolator
- pressure-testing the pipework, evacuating it, and releasing the refrigerant
- commissioning the system and showing you how to use it
You need this service when you are fitting AC to a new or renovated space, adding cooling to a room that has none, or replacing a system that has reached the end of its life.
Choosing the right capacity
Cooling capacity is measured in British Thermal Units per hour (BTU/h) or in tons, where one ton equals 12,000 BTU/h. Getting this right matters more than any brand choice.
Floor area is the starting point, but it is not the whole story. In the UAE, the heat entering a room depends heavily on:
- Sun exposure — west-facing rooms and large windows pick up intense afternoon heat
- Glazing — floor-to-ceiling glass in towers adds far more load than a solid wall
- Ceiling height — a double-height villa majlis holds much more air than a bedroom
- Occupancy and equipment — kitchens, offices with computers, and rooms with many people need more capacity
- Insulation and roof exposure — top-floor rooms under a flat roof run hotter
An oversized unit is not the safe option. It cools the air quickly, switches off before removing enough moisture, and leaves the room cold but clammy, while cycling on and off wears the compressor. We work out the load for each room and explain the reasoning, so you are not simply told “buy a bigger one”.
Systems we install
Split air conditioners are the most common choice for apartments and individual villa rooms. Wall-mounted indoor units are quick to install and easy to service.
Inverter split systems vary compressor speed to match demand instead of switching fully on and off. They typically use less electricity under part load and hold temperature more evenly, which suits UAE homes where AC runs for much of the year.
Ducted (concealed) systems hide the indoor unit in a false ceiling and deliver air through grilles. They suit villas and offices where you want several rooms served without visible units, but they need ceiling space and careful duct design. For larger central or multi-zone systems, see our air conditioning services.
Replacing window units — many older buildings still have through-wall window ACs. We can replace these with like-for-like units or advise whether a split system is practical where the building allows it.
Supplying the unit as well
You can buy the unit yourself and have us install it, or we can supply and install it as one job. Supply and installation together means one point of responsibility: if a fault appears early, there is no argument about whether the unit or the fitting is to blame. We supply and install almost all major AC brands available in the UAE. Where applicable, we register the manufacturer’s warranty for you after installation.
Pipework, drainage and electrics
Most installation problems that appear months later start here.
Copper pipework must be the correct diameter for the unit, properly flared or brazed, and fully insulated. Uninsulated suction pipe sweats, drips, and loses cooling before the air reaches the room.
Pressure testing and vacuum. Before refrigerant is released, the pipes should be pressure-tested with dry nitrogen to find leaks, then evacuated with a vacuum pump to remove air and moisture. Moisture left in the system can react with the oil and refrigerant and shorten compressor life. This step takes time and is the one most often skipped.
Condensate drainage. An AC removes a surprising amount of water from humid coastal air. The drain needs a steady fall to a suitable outlet. Where gravity is not possible, a small condensate pump is fitted.
Electrical supply. Larger units need a dedicated circuit of the right rating with an isolator near the outdoor unit. If your distribution board needs work first, our electrical services team can handle it.
How the installation works, step by step
- Enquiry. Send the room sizes, photos and location by WhatsApp or the form.
- Survey. We check the rooms, wall construction, outdoor unit position, pipe route and electrical supply. Surveys are free within Dubai. Outside Dubai, the AED 250 site-visit charge applies and is deducted from the job if you go ahead.
- Written quote. It lists unit capacity and model, pipe length allowance, drainage method, electrical work and any extras such as core drilling or scaffolding.
- Installation day. Units are mounted, pipework and drainage run, and the system pressure-tested, vacuumed and charged.
- Commissioning. We check operating pressures and the temperature drop across the indoor coil, and test the drain with water.
- Handover. You get a walkthrough of the remote and settings, and warranty paperwork. Our work carries a 1-month workmanship warranty. Where applicable, we register the manufacturer’s warranty for you after installation.
Replacing an old air conditioner
Replacement usually makes sense when a unit is old, needs a major part such as a compressor, or uses R22 refrigerant, which has been phased down internationally and is becoming harder and more expensive to service.
Replacing a system involves safely recovering the old refrigerant, removing the old units, and deciding whether the existing pipework can be reused. Old pipes can sometimes stay if they are the right size, in good condition, and properly flushed, which saves breaking into finished walls. In other cases new pipework is the only reliable choice. We will tell you which applies and why.
If your current unit might still be repairable, it is worth a diagnosis first. Our AC repair page explains the faults that can be fixed economically.
What affects the installation cost
We do not publish fixed prices because two jobs with the same unit can differ a great deal. A quote depends on:
- the unit type, capacity and model
- the number of units installed at once
- the length of pipe run between indoor and outdoor units
- wall construction and any core drilling needed
- access, such as working at height or on a tower façade
- electrical work required
- removal and disposal of old equipment
- any building management or landlord requirements
The written quote itemises these so you can compare it fairly against others.
Brands and equipment
We install units from almost all major AC brands available in the UAE. If you have already bought a unit, send us the model so we can confirm the pipe sizes, electrical requirements and installation instructions before the visit.
Installation across all seven emirates
We install air conditioning in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. Our office is in Al Khabaisi, Dubai. Visits within Dubai are free; outside Dubai a AED 250 site-visit charge applies, which is fully deducted from the service cost if you go ahead. All visits are scheduled in advance.
In apartment towers and gated communities, building management often controls where outdoor units can go, when noisy work is allowed, and whether a permit is needed. Check with your building or landlord early; we can provide the technical details they usually ask for.
Request a quote for AC installation
Tell us what you need and send photos on WhatsApp if you can. Site visits within Dubai are free, and every price is confirmed before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a split AC installation take?
A single wall-mounted split unit with a short pipe run is usually a few hours’ work. Multiple units, long pipe runs or ducted systems take longer. Your quote will give a realistic timeframe.
Can you install a unit I bought myself?
Yes. Send us the model beforehand so we can confirm what parts and electrical supply it needs. Workmanship is covered by us; the unit itself is covered by its manufacturer’s warranty.
Do I need permission from my building to install AC?
Often, yes. Many towers and communities set rules for outdoor unit locations and working hours. Ask building management before booking; tenants should also get landlord approval.
Is an inverter AC worth it?
For rooms cooled for many hours a day, an inverter usually costs more to buy but less to run, and holds temperature more steadily. For a rarely used room, the saving is smaller.
Will installation make a mess?
Drilling the pipe hole creates dust. We protect floors and furniture near the work area and clean up afterwards. Please clear the wall area before the visit.
What happens if the new unit drips water indoors?
Indoor dripping almost always means the drain has insufficient fall or is blocked. If it happens after our installation, contact us and we will inspect and correct it. This is covered by our 1-month workmanship warranty.
Related services and next step
Once the system is running, regular AC maintenance keeps it efficient through UAE summers, and an annual maintenance contract covers servicing for the whole property. If an existing unit has stopped cooling, start with AC repair.
Send us your room sizes and a few photos, and we will come back with a capacity recommendation and a written quote.