Air conditioning costs in Epping: a buyer's guide

A supplied and installed split system in Melbourne ranges from $1,250 to $2,625 for a small 2.5 kW bedroom unit up to $3,150 to $5,800 for a 9 kW unit in a large open plan area, according to a Melbourne cost table last verified in October 2026. Ducted reverse cycle systems run from $8,400 to $14,700 for a basic install to $12,600 to $23,100 for premium or zoned systems. Every figure on this page comes from that one published source, the What’s The Damage Melbourne air conditioning cost guide, which states that its prices include GST and that outer suburbs may vary. Use them to check whether a quote is in a sensible range, not as a price for your house.

Published Melbourne price ranges

All ranges below include GST and come from the one Melbourne source linked above.

New split systems, unit and fitting together

Capacity and typical room	Range
2.5 kW, one bedroom	$1,250 to $2,625
3.5 kW, bigger bedroom	$1,475 to $2,950
5 kW, family lounge	$1,900 to $3,675
7 kW, large living zone	$2,300 to $4,725
9 kW, whole open plan floor	$3,150 to $5,800

Other split jobs

Job	Range
Fitting a unit you bought yourself	$735 to $1,575
Swapping out an old split, removal included	$1,575 to $3,150
One outdoor unit feeding two heads	$4,200 to $7,900
One outdoor unit feeding four heads	$7,350 to $12,600

Ducted, servicing and faults

Job	Range
Ducted, entry level	$8,400 to $14,700
Ducted with zoning or higher spec gear	$12,600 to $23,100
Clean and service, one split	$105 to $335 per unit
Service visit, ducted	$210 to $580 per system
Small fault fixed	$160 to $525
Big repair, or a regas	$315 to $1,250

Why does one Epping split install cost more than another?

The unit itself is the biggest single cost, and brand, capacity and features such as wifi control move it. After that, installation labour depends on how far and how awkwardly the pipes travel.

• Back to back or not. The cheapest install puts the indoor head on an external wall with the outdoor unit directly behind it. Every extra metre of pipe, every corner and any run through a roof space or under a floor adds time and materials.
• Height. An upstairs indoor head, a wall bracket at height or a roof mounted outdoor unit needs more access equipment and more care.
• Electrical. If the switchboard has a spare circuit and space, the electrical side is quick. If it needs a new circuit, a safety switch, or an upgrade, that is extra work for the electrician.
• Condensate drain. Gravity drains to a garden bed are simple. A pump or a long drain run to a downpipe costs more.
• Wall material. Brick veneer is straightforward to core drill. Unknown fibre cement sheeting in an older home may need testing for asbestos before anyone drills, which adds time and cost.
• Removal of an old unit. The published changeover range above includes taking the old unit away.

Why do ducted quotes vary so widely?

• House floor area and number of storeys.
• How many zones and outlets, and the type of zone controller.
• Roof space height and access for the indoor fan coil.
• Whether any old heating or evaporative ductwork can be reused. The source guide notes evaporative ducts are often larger than refrigerated ducts.
• Removal of a gas ducted heater, which brings in a gasfitter, or an evaporative unit, which needs the roof opening sealed.
• Switchboard capacity for a large outdoor unit.

Our ducted air conditioning guide explains each of these in more detail.

Discounts that can lower the price

The Victorian Energy Upgrades program offers discounts on approved high efficiency reverse cycle air conditioners. According to the VEU heating and cooling page, the largest household discounts apply when a ducted gas heater is removed and replaced with an efficient ducted reverse cycle system, and lower discounts apply when nothing is decommissioned. The discount must be applied by an accredited provider, the replaced system must be more than 2 years old, and retrospective discounts are typically not possible. The reverse cycle upgrades guide covers the steps.

What should be in the price, and what often is not

Usually included in a supplied and installed split system quote:

• the indoor and outdoor units
• a standard length of insulated refrigerant pipe and control cable
• the wall penetration, sealing and pipe cover
• outdoor unit bracket or pad
• electrical connection to an existing suitable circuit
• commissioning and a demonstration
• the plumbing compliance certificate and the Certificate of Electrical Safety

Often extra, so ask:

• pipe runs beyond the standard length
• a new circuit or switchboard work
• condensate pumps
• removal and disposal of an old unit
• after hours work
• scaffolding or elevated work platforms
• making good paint or plaster after the job

How should you compare quotes?

1. Put the quotes side by side with the same model, or at least the same capacity and star rating, so you are comparing installation and not just equipment.
2. Check the heating capacity as well as the cooling. The Victorian Government’s buying guide notes that Victorians typically use more energy for heating than cooling.
3. Look at the warranty on the unit and, separately, the warranty on the installation.
4. Confirm who will issue the plumbing compliance certificate and who will issue the electrical certificate.
5. Check the installer on the BPC practitioner search and the ARC’s Look for the Tick site.
6. Ask whether the price is fixed for the stated scope, and how any extras will be agreed before they are done.

Red flags in an air conditioning quote

• No model number, only a brand and a size.
• No mention of who does the electrical work.
• A very large deposit before anything is ordered.
• “We’ll claim the rebate later” on a VEU job.
• A price far below the published ranges with no explanation.
• Pressure to sign on the day.
• An installer who cannot give you a BPC registration or licence number, or an ARC licence number.

Running costs are part of the cost

The purchase price is a one off. Running costs keep going for the life of the unit. The state’s buying guide explains that the more stars a product has on its zoned energy rating label, the less energy it will use, so compare the label as well as the quote. Landlords should also note that Consumer Affairs Victoria’s minimum cooling efficiency standard for rental homes starts on 1 March 2027.

Servicing and repair budgets

Plan on a professional service at the interval your warranty sets. Published Melbourne prices are $105 to $335 per unit per split system and $210 to $580 per system for a ducted system. For faults, a minor repair is listed at $160 to $525, and a major repair or regas at $315 to $1,250. The servicing guide and repairs guide explain what each visit should include.

Local notes for Epping and nearby suburbs

Older homes in Lalor can need asbestos checks and switchboard work, which pushes a split install towards the top of its range. New homes in Wollert usually make for simpler installs, but owners should protect the builder’s warranty. In Epping itself, apartments and townhouses near the activity centre bring access and body corporate questions that can add cost.

What to do next

Once you know roughly what you want, send your details for a quote. The site forwards your enquiry to an independent local installer, and any price you receive is that provider’s own offer, set by them after they have seen the job.

Send a job enquiry