How much does an air conditioning cost in Perth?
Air conditioning is essential for Perth living. With summer temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C and stretching into the low 40s during heatwaves, a reliable cooling system isn't a luxury — it's a health and comfort necessity. As of 2026, a split system in Perth costs between $1,400 and $4,000 supply and install, while ducted reverse-cycle systems run $8,000–$16,000 for a standard 3–4 bedroom home. Evaporative cooling — still popular in Perth due to the dry climate — costs $3,500–$7,000 for a whole-house system.
Perth is one of the few Australian capitals where evaporative cooling remains a genuine option alongside refrigerative (reverse-cycle) systems. The city's low humidity makes evaporative systems effective for much of summer, at a fraction of the running cost. However, on the hottest days and during the increasingly frequent humid spells Perth has been experiencing, evaporative systems struggle — leading many homeowners to upgrade to or supplement with reverse-cycle split systems.
Perth's exceptional solar resource (5.4 peak sun hours daily) makes solar-powered air conditioning particularly effective, with many households achieving near-zero summer cooling costs with a well-sized solar system.
| Service | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split system — supply + install (2.5kW) | $735 | $1,575 | $1,155 installed |
| Split system — supply + install (5kW) | $1,260 | $2,310 | $1,785 installed |
| Split system — supply + install (7kW+) | $1,890 | $3,675 | $2,625 installed |
| Multi-split system (2–3 heads) | $3,150 | $7,350 | $4,725 installed |
| Ducted system (small home) | $5,250 | $10,500 | $7,875 installed |
| Ducted system (large home) | $10,500 | $21,000 | $14,700 installed |
| Service / clean (split) | $84 | $210 | $137 per unit |
| Service / clean (ducted) | $158 | $368 | $231 per system |
| Re-gas | $210 | $525 | $315 per unit |
| Old unit removal | $105 | $368 | $210 per unit |
| Thermostat / controller upgrade | $210 | $630 | $368 installed |
| Emergency repair | $210 | $630 | $368 per visit |
Prices include GST. Based on Perth metro area, Feb 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
Inner & Western Suburbs
Subiaco, Mount Lawley, Cottesloe. Older homes may need switchboard upgrades ($300–$1,000) and creative outdoor unit placement. Heritage homes have aesthetic restrictions on external equipment. Character home ceiling cavities may be too shallow for ducted systems. Apartments need strata approval (2–6 weeks) and designated outdoor unit locations.
Northern Suburbs
Joondalup, Wanneroo, Duncraig. Standard installations in 1980s–2000s homes. Good roof cavity access for ducted. Many homes in this belt have existing evaporative systems that owners are supplementing with split systems for bedrooms. Competitive installer availability keeps pricing sharp.
Southern Suburbs
Rockingham, Baldivis, Mandurah. Competitive area with good installer density. Newer homes often have pre-wired AC provisions. Most affordable area in metro Perth for installation. Coastal breeze in Rockingham and Mandurah reduces cooling loads compared to inland suburbs.
Eastern & Hills Suburbs
Kalamunda, Mundaring, Midland. Eastern suburbs run 2–5°C hotter than coastal Perth in summer, making system sizing critical. Hills properties enjoy cooler evenings but may need supplementary heating in winter (4–8°C overnight). Travel surcharges ($50–$150) may apply. Larger properties on acreage may need higher-capacity or multiple systems.
Single split system — bedroom (2.5–3.5kW)
Supply and install of an inverter split system. Includes indoor/outdoor units, up to 3m pipe run, electrical connection, and commissioning. Perth's hot climate makes cooling the main priority — ensure your system is adequately sized for Perth's extreme heat. A unit rated for 35°C ambient temperature may struggle when Perth hits 42°C. Premium brands (Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric) maintain performance at higher ambient temperatures.
Evaporative cooling — whole house
Roof-mounted evaporative unit with ductwork to all rooms. Very effective in Perth's dry heat — can cool a whole house for $0.10–$0.20/hr compared to $2–$4/hr for ducted refrigerative. Requires window or door openings for air exchange. Won't work well on humid days (above 60% humidity) or during evening entertaining when you want doors closed. Many Perth homes use evaporative as the primary system with a bedroom split for overnight comfort on the worst nights.
Ducted reverse-cycle — 3-4 bedroom home
Whole-house solution with zoning. Perth's single-storey homes with accessible roof cavities are ideal for ducted installation. Zoning (typically 3–4 zones) is essential in Perth — you can cool bedrooms at night without running the whole system. Pairs excellently with solar panels for daytime cooling at near-zero running cost. Perth's mild winters mean the heating function gets less use than in Melbourne, but it's still valuable for 2–3 months of cool mornings.
Evaporative to reverse-cycle conversion
Removing existing evaporative unit from roof and replacing with ducted reverse-cycle. The evaporative system's ductwork usually cannot be reused (different air volume requirements), so this is effectively a new installation. Growing trend in Perth as climate patterns shift — more humid days and hotter nights make evaporative less effective. The payback is improved comfort, year-round heating and cooling, and better air filtration.
Add split system to home with evaporative
The most popular AC upgrade in Perth: adding a split system to the master bedroom while keeping evaporative for the rest of the house. Provides refrigerative cooling for comfortable sleep on hot nights when evaporative isn't cutting it. Low installation cost, immediate comfort improvement, and manageable running costs since it's only one room.
System type
Split systems are cheapest to install. Multi-splits serve multiple rooms from one outdoor unit. Ducted systems are the most expensive but provide whole-home climate control.
Capacity (kW)
A bedroom needs 2.5kW, a living room 5–7kW, and a large open-plan area 7–10kW. Undersizing means the unit works harder and costs more to run.
Installation complexity
Back-to-back installs (indoor unit on the other side of the wall from the outdoor unit) are cheapest. Long pipe runs, multi-storey installs, and roof-mounted outdoor units cost more.
Electrical requirements
Larger units (7kW+) may need a dedicated circuit or switchboard upgrade, adding $200–$800.
Brand
Budget brands (Kelvinator, Hisense) cost 30–40% less than premium brands (Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric) but may not last as long or be as efficient.
Time of year
Installers are busiest in summer and winter. Spring and autumn installs may be cheaper and faster.
ARC licence: Mandatory for anyone handling refrigerant gases. Verify at arctick.org. Covers split system, ducted, and multi-split installation. Evaporative cooling installation doesn't require ARC licensing (no refrigerant), but does require licensed electrical work.
Electrical licence: All electrical work must be done by a WA-licensed electrician. Certificate of Compliance required. AC systems need dedicated circuits — most Perth switchboards can accommodate additions, but older boards (pre-2000) may need upgrading ($300–$1,000).
Energy efficiency: WA doesn't have a state-level AC rebate program like Victoria's VEU. However, federal STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates) provide rebates on solar panel installation — and solar is the single most effective way to reduce AC running costs in Perth. A 6.6kW solar system ($4,000–$7,000 installed after STCs) can offset the vast majority of daytime cooling costs. Perth's solar yield is among the highest in Australia.
Perth homeowners face a unique choice that most other Australian capitals don't: evaporative or refrigerative cooling? Here's how they compare.
Evaporative pros: Very low running costs ($0.10–$0.20/hr vs $1–$4/hr for refrigerative), fresh air circulation (draws outside air through wet pads), simple maintenance, and lower installation cost. Works brilliantly in Perth's typical dry heat. No refrigerant means lower environmental impact.
Evaporative cons: Ineffective above 60% humidity (becoming more common in Perth), requires open windows/doors, adds moisture to indoor air (can cause mould issues in some homes), no heating function, and won't cool below about 10°C less than outside temperature.
Reverse-cycle pros: Works in any humidity, precise temperature control, heating and cooling, sealed system (no external air), filtration of air (great for allergy sufferers), and zoning capability. Better performance in Perth's increasingly frequent humid spells.
Solar integration: Perth's solar resource (5.4 peak sun hours daily) is exceptional. A 6.6kW solar system costs $4,000–$7,000 installed after STCs and generates an average of 28–30kWh/day — enough to power most AC during daylight hours at zero marginal cost. Adding a 10kWh battery ($9,000–$14,000) extends solar-powered cooling into the evening. Perth households with solar typically see summer electricity bills of $100–$250 versus $400–$800+ without solar.
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, tradie marketplaces (ServiceSeeking, hipages, Airtasker, Service.com.au), industry body data (HIA, Master Builders), and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our guides are independently produced — we don't employ tradespeople and have no financial incentive to inflate or deflate prices. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get at least 3 quotes. Last reviewed February 2026. Read our full methodology →