Split Aircon Installation Cost in Pretoria: What Affects the Price
There is no single price for installing a split air conditioner — the installed cost depends on the unit you choose and the details of your home or premises. Here is what actually moves the price, and how to get an accurate figure.
Published 2026-06-07 · Van Biljoens Appliance Services & Air Conditioning
Need it sorted now? Van Biljoens offers aircon installation in Pretoria — assessed and quoted before any work begins.
What goes into an installed price
When you buy an air conditioner installed, the price covers the unit plus a standard back-to-back installation by our technicians. A back-to-back install means the indoor unit is mounted on an inside wall with the outdoor unit fitted directly outside it, with a short, neat pipe and cable run between the two.
On our product pages, units that can be installed show an installed price (supply and back-to-back installation) as well as a supply-only price, so you can compare directly. The factors below are what change that figure for your specific job.
- ✓ Indoor unit mounted and the outdoor unit fitted directly outside (back-to-back)
- ✓ Refrigerant pipe set, insulation and mounting brackets
- ✓ Condensate drain and a short wall penetration
- ✓ Indoor-to-outdoor interconnecting wiring
- ✓ Vacuum, commissioning and a refrigerant leak check
What affects the price
Two installs of the same unit can cost different amounts depending on the building and the layout. The main things that move the price are:
- ✓ The unit itself — capacity (BTU), whether it is inverter or non-inverter, and the brand all affect the supply cost. A bigger or higher-spec unit costs more to supply.
- ✓ Pipe and cable distance — a tidy back-to-back run is the standard. Longer runs, trunking across a wall, or routing through a roof add materials and labour.
- ✓ Electrical connection — smaller units run off your nearest existing wall plug. Larger units (non-inverter above 18 000 BTU, or inverter above 24 000 BTU) must be connected to your distribution board on a dedicated circuit by a registered electrician, with a Certificate of Compliance. That electrical work is arranged separately and is not part of the back-to-back price.
- ✓ Mounting and access — a straightforward brick wall at a normal height is simplest. Difficult structures, high or awkward positions, or needing scaffolding or a crane add to the cost.
- ✓ Number of units — fitting several units, or a multi-split system, changes both materials and time.
How to get an accurate price
The quickest way to gauge cost is to browse the catalogue: each unit that can be installed shows its installed price, so you can see the supply-and-fit figure for the exact model and capacity you are considering.
For anything beyond a standard back-to-back install — long runs, multiple units, or tricky access — request a quote and we will confirm the scope. The exact scope is always confirmed on site before work begins, so there are no surprises.
Why correct sizing protects the value
Spending a little time on sizing is the best way to get value from an installation. A unit that is too small will run flat out and still struggle on a hot Pretoria day; one that is too large costs more upfront and cycles inefficiently.
Our BTU calculator gives you a starting point for the capacity a room needs, and we confirm the right unit for your space when we quote.
Ready to take the next step?
Van Biljoens has been supplying and servicing Pretoria since 1956. We are here to help.
Frequently asked questions
How much does aircon installation cost in Pretoria?
There is no single price — it depends on the unit and the install. The unit's capacity, inverter or non-inverter, and brand set the supply cost, then pipe and cable distance, the electrical connection, and access affect the fitting. The easiest way to gauge it is to browse our catalogue, where units that can be installed show an installed (supply and back-to-back installation) price; request a quote for anything beyond a standard install.
What is included in a back-to-back installation?
A back-to-back install mounts the indoor unit with the outdoor unit fitted directly outside it: the pipe set, insulation and brackets, the condensate drain and a short wall penetration, the indoor-to-outdoor wiring, and vacuuming, commissioning and a refrigerant leak check. Long pipe runs, trunking and distribution-board electrical work are not part of the standard back-to-back price.
Do I need an electrician to install an air conditioner?
Smaller units run off your nearest existing wall plug, so no separate electrician is needed. Larger units — non-inverter above 18 000 BTU or inverter above 24 000 BTU — must be wired to your distribution board on a dedicated circuit by a registered electrician with a Certificate of Compliance. That part is arranged separately.
Do you supply units without installation?
Yes. Units are available supply-only as well as installed — both prices are shown on the product page. If you buy supply-only we strongly recommend installation by a qualified, accredited installer, as refrigerant handling and the electrical connection are regulated work.