Three ways to cool several rooms
If you want more than one or two rooms cooled, there are three main approaches. Each has trade-offs in cost, looks and disruption.
Separate systems
Best for: two or three rooms, added over time
- Each room works on its own
- A fault affects one room only
- Easy to add rooms later
- One outdoor unit per room
- Takes more outside wall space
Multi-split
Best for: several rooms where outside space is tight
- One outdoor unit for several rooms
- Fewer units on the outside wall
- Each room keeps its own controls
- Outdoor unit is sized at the start
- Longer pipe runs to some rooms
Ducted
Best for: whole homes, new builds and major renovations
- Only slim grilles show in each room
- The fan unit is hidden in the loft or ceiling
- One system for the whole house
- Needs loft or ceiling space for ducts
- Most disruptive to fit in an existing home
- Highest upfront cost
Side by side
Scroll sideways to compare all three
| Feature | Separate systems | Multi-split | Ducted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor units | One per room | One for several rooms | Usually one |
| What you see indoors | A wall unit | Wall or ceiling units | Grilles in the ceiling or wall |
| Control | Room by room | Room by room | By zone |
| Disruption to fit | Low | Low to moderate | High in an existing home |
| Adding rooms later | Easy | Limited by the outdoor unit | Difficult |
What a whole-home quote includes
A whole-home quote is written after the survey. It should set out:
- The equipment for each room, with model numbers
- Where each indoor and outdoor unit will go
- How pipes and cables will be routed, and what will be visible
- Any electrical work needed
- What making good after the work covers
- Warranty terms
- The total price and when each payment is due
Whole home and ducted
usually
£6,000 to £20,000+
Single rooms start from £1,650. See all starting prices.
Doing it in stages
You don’t have to do every room at once. Many people start with the rooms that overheat and add more later.
- Start with the hottest roomsUsually top-floor bedrooms or a home office.
- Say what you might add laterAt the survey, a multi-split can be sized with spare capacity, or rooms can be planned as separate systems.
- Add rooms when you’re readyEach stage gets its own written quote.
Planning an extension or loft conversion?
Running pipework before walls and ceilings are finished is easier and tidier. Get in touch while the plans are being drawn. Read about new-build and building projects.
Get a whole-home estimate
Tell the estimate tool about each room. You can change your mind about any of them at the survey.