Room guide
Air conditioning for loft conversions
Loft conversions heat up fast in summer, because they sit directly under the roof with less space for air to circulate, and they can be the coldest room in the house in winter. Air conditioning fixes both problems with one unit.
What size do you need?
A loft conversion is not its own category in our size guide, so we size it the same way as any other room by its use and floor area. A loft bedroom is usually a standard 2.5kW job, the same as any other bedroom. A larger loft room, or one used as an office or extra living space, is closer to 3.5kW, our large bedroom or standard living room size. Low eaves and dormers can affect where the indoor unit goes, so we check the size and position at a free survey.
Where the units go
Loft conversions often have less external wall than other rooms, so pipe routes need more thought. The indoor unit usually goes on the gable wall or a dormer cheek, and the outdoor unit is routed down to ground level, onto a flat roof, or to a nearby wall, depending on what the building allows. We keep pipework boxed in neatly rather than left on show.
Price by package
| Package | System | Price (2.5kW) | Parts warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Haier Revive Plus | £1,585 | 3-year parts warranty |
| Bronze | Samsung WindFree Comfort | £1,805 | 7-year parts warranty |
| Silver | Fujitsu Standard KM White | £1,855 | 5-year parts warranty |
| Gold (recommended) | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Premium ZS White | £2,040 | 10-year parts warranty |
| Platinum | Daikin Perfera White | £2,145 | 3-year parts warranty |
| Elite | Daikin Stylish White | £2,505 | 3-year parts warranty |
For a larger loft room at 3.5kW, fitted prices run from £1,605 (Budget) to £2,705 (Elite), with the recommended Gold package at £2,185. The Budget package's smallest Haier Revive Plus is rated 2.7kW. All prices are fully supplied, installed, tested and commissioned, including VAT. For noise, Samsung publishes 19 to 36 dB(A), quiet setting to full fan, for the 2.5kW WindFree Comfort on our Bronze package.
Running costs
Loft rooms can lose heat quickly in winter through the roof if insulation is limited, so running cost depends heavily on how well the conversion is insulated, as well as room size and your thermostat setting. We cannot give one figure that fits every loft, because insulation varies so much from one conversion to the next.
Planning permission for a loft conversion
Government guidance on the Planning Portal (opens in a new tab) explains that adding air conditioning may count as permitted development, provided the system also provides heating (every system we fit does) and the limits set out in the legislation are met. If your home sits in a conservation area, you will need permission, and a listed building needs consent regardless. Building regulations also apply to the installation itself. We recommend checking the Planning Portal or your local council before booking, and we are happy to talk through what we see on survey.
Which package suits a loft conversion?
Budget (Haier Revive Plus) and Bronze (Samsung WindFree Comfort) cover most loft bedrooms well at a sensible price. Gold, our recommended package, is the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Premium ZS White with a 10-year parts warranty, a good step up for a room you use often, such as a loft office. Silver, Platinum and Elite are available too if you prefer Fujitsu or Daikin.
Get your loft conversion price
Get your loft conversion price, or call 01268 264002 for a same-day reply.
Best for a loft conversion
The packages we suggest for a loft conversion
Every price is fully fitted. Pick one to open the price tool.
Budget
Haier Revive Plus
3-year parts warranty
- 2.7kW
- £1,585
- 3.5kW
- £1,605
- 4.8kW
- £1,825
Bronze
Samsung WindFree Comfort
7-year parts warranty
- 2.5kW
- £1,805
- 3.5kW
- £1,870
- 5kW
- £2,200
RECOMMENDED
Gold
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Premium ZS White
10-year parts warranty
- 2.5kW
- £2,040
- 3.5kW
- £2,185
- 5kW
- £2,320
Fully supplied, installed, tested and commissioned, including VAT. This is the fully installed price, inc VAT. Add £200 for a condensate pump if your indoor unit is not on or next to an external wall.
Questions about loft conversion air conditioning
Short answers to what people ask us most.
All questions answeredCan you put an air conditioning condenser on a roof?
It depends on the roof and the building's permitted development rights. Our engineer assesses this at survey; many loft projects route the outdoor unit to a rear wall or a flat roof section instead.
When should air conditioning go in during a loft conversion?
Ideally before the plasterboard and decoration stage, so pipework can be hidden inside the wall or boxed in neatly rather than fixed on top of a finished surface.
What size unit does a loft bedroom need?
Our size guide treats a standard loft bedroom the same as any other bedroom: 2.5kW. A larger loft room, or one used as an office or second living space, is closer to our 3.5kW large bedroom or living room size.
Do I need planning permission for air conditioning in a loft conversion?
Often not, because adding air conditioning that also provides heating can count as permitted development, but there are conditions. If your home is in a conservation area or is a listed building, permission or consent is required. Check the government's Planning Portal before booking work.
Real installs by our own team
A real install by our own team. The price on our list is the fully installed price, inc VAT.
Related guides
- Bedroom guideSize, placement and noise for a bedroom
- Garden room guideSize, placement and noise for a garden room
- SamsungThe Samsung systems we fit, with fixed prices
- Mitsubishi ElectricThe Mitsubishi Electric systems we fit, with fixed prices
- Do I need planning permission for air conditioning in Essex?Most home air conditioning counts as permitted development, with no planning application needed. Here is when that is true, and when it is not.
- Air conditioning for loft conversions and garden roomsLoft conversions and garden rooms both need a bit of extra planning for air conditioning. Here is when to bring it in, and what each space needs.
Get your fixed price
Send the room, the floor area if you know it, and a photo of the wall. You will hear back the same day with the fully installed price from our list.
- Call 01268 264002Speak to the team directly
- Message us on WhatsAppSend a photo of the wall from your phone
- info@
essexhomeairconditioning.co.ukFor plans, drawings or anything long
