How Much Does Aircon Installation Cost in South Africa?

The unit is only part of the price. Where it goes, how far the pipes run, and how it's mounted can change the installation cost a lot. Here's what to expect in Gauteng, and how to tell a proper installation from a cheap one.

Written by the Absolute Repairs & HVAC technicians, from repairs we do every week across Gauteng · Updated 20 October 2026

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Quick answer

In Gauteng, a standard back-to-back split aircon installation, where the indoor and outdoor units are on opposite sides of the same wall, starts from R1,650 with Absolute Repairs. That price is for the installation itself. Longer pipe runs, higher or harder-to-reach mounting positions, extra brackets or trunking, and new electrical points add to it, and are quoted upfront. Every aircon we install gets a free service six months later.

What is a back-to-back installation?

A back-to-back installation is the simplest and cheapest type: the indoor unit is mounted on the inside of an outside wall, and the outdoor unit is mounted directly behind it on the other side. The copper pipes, drain and cable only need to pass straight through the wall, so there's very little pipe, very little labour, and fewer joints that could leak later.

What changes the price

Factor	Why it costs more
Longer pipe run	When the outdoor unit can't go straight behind the indoor unit, for example because of body corporate rules or a better spot further away, more copper pipe, insulation and labour are needed.
Height and access	Outdoor units on a second storey, roof or awkward wall need ladders, scaffolding or extra time.
Mounting	Wall brackets, a floor stand or a roof stand, and anti-vibration mounts.
Trunking	Neat plastic trunking to hide pipes inside or outside.
Electrical	A dedicated circuit and isolator, if there isn't a suitable point nearby.
Unit size	Bigger units (18,000 to 24,000 BTU) are heavier and often need sturdier brackets.
Wall type	Core-drilling through thick face brick or concrete takes longer than drywall.

What a proper installation should include

A low installation price can hide shortcuts that cost you later. A proper installation includes:

Correct sizing for the room. See what size aircon do I need.
A level indoor unit with a drain that falls properly, so it doesn't drip down your wall.
Pressure-testing and vacuuming the pipes before the gas is released. Skipping this is the number one cause of new aircons losing gas within a year.
Insulated pipes and a sealed wall hole, so it doesn't sweat, leak or let insects in.
A test run on cooling and heating, with the temperatures checked.

Supply and install, or install only?

You can buy the aircon yourself and have us install it, or ask us to supply and install. If you're buying it yourself, check the size against the room first, and keep the box and paperwork for the warranty. Either way, we quote the installation as a fixed price before we start.

Running costs matter more than the install

An inverter aircon usually costs more to buy but noticeably less to run, especially in bedrooms used every night. Over a few Gauteng summers, the difference in electricity often outweighs the difference in purchase price.

Keep it running

Every installation we do includes a free service six months later. After that, a yearly service before summer keeps it efficient. See what an aircon service includes.

We install across Gauteng: Pretoria, Centurion, Midrand, Kempton Park, Johannesburg and Sandton.

Frequently asked questions

How much does aircon installation cost in South Africa?

With Absolute Repairs in Gauteng, a standard back-to-back split installation starts from R1,650. Longer pipe runs, difficult access, extra brackets, trunking or new electrical points are quoted upfront.

What does back-to-back aircon installation mean?

The indoor and outdoor units are mounted on opposite sides of the same wall, so the pipes go straight through. It's the cheapest and most reliable type of installation.

How long does an aircon installation take?

A back-to-back installation usually takes a few hours. Longer pipe runs or difficult access take longer.

Is the aircon unit included in the installation price?

The from-R1,650 price is for a standard back-to-back installation. If you'd like us to supply the unit as well, we'll quote the unit and installation together.

Do I need to service a new aircon?

Yes. We include a free service six months after installation, then recommend a yearly service before summer.

Get an installation quote

WhatsApp us photos of the room and where you'd like the indoor and outdoor units, and the aircon size if you already have one. We'll give you a fixed price. Monday to Saturday, 07:30–17:30.