AC Installation Dubai | Split AC Fitting and Replacement

Overview

One Click Dubai supplies and installs air conditioners in flats, villas, offices and shops across Dubai, with same-day visits. AC installation, or aircon installation, covers fitting a new unit, replacing an old one, and moving a unit from one room or home to another, for wall split, multi-split, cassette, ducted, window, portable and rooftop package systems.

You can buy the unit from us or have us fit one you have already bought. Our technicians do the whole job: mounting, copper piping, drainage, core drilling, the electrical connection, vacuuming, and a cooling test before they leave.

This page explains what a standard air conditioning installation includes, how a split AC is fitted step by step, how to choose the size and the position, what installation costs in Dubai, and the mistakes that cause breakdowns later.

AC installation in Dubai: what we install and what it costs

AC installation in Dubai from One Click Dubai covers every common type of unit, supplied by us or by you. Market labour prices run from AED 300 to AED 600 for a 1 to 1.5 ton wall split and AED 600 to AED 1,200 for a 2 to 2.5 ton unit. A split AC supplied and installed costs AED 1,800 to AED 6,000.

What you want to knowOur answer

How soon can you come?The same day for most single units, with bookings taken at any hour

Do you supply the AC?Yes. We supply and install, or install a unit you have bought

Which types?Wall split, multi-split, cassette, ducted and concealed, window, portable, rooftop package, and new ductwork

How long does it take?Three to five hours for one wall split. Two to five days for a ducted system

Do you move existing units?Yes. We dismantle, relocate and refit, and remove old units

Who does the electrical work and drilling?Our own technicians

Is the work covered?Yes, by our one-month warranty on parts and labour

In the UAE this job is often called AC fixing or AC fitting, and people search for AC fixing Dubai for both fitting and repair. We do AC installation and repair. If you mean a unit that has stopped working, go to AC repair.

What a standard installation includes, and what counts as extra

A standard split AC installation covers mounting both units, a short run of copper pipe with insulation, the drain pipe, the cable between the units, one hole through the wall, vacuuming the pipes and a test run. Longer pipe runs, a new electrical circuit, brackets for difficult positions and building fees are normally priced as extras.

Usually included in the labour priceUsually priced as extra

Indoor unit mounted and levelled on its back plateCopper pipe beyond the standard length, per metre

Outdoor unit placed on a floor, roof or existing bracketA new wall bracket, or a stand for the outdoor unit

About three metres of insulated copper pipeA new electrical circuit, breaker or isolator

Drain pipe to the nearest suitable outletA condensate pump, where the drain cannot fall by gravity

Interconnecting cable between the unitsExtra core holes, or drilling through reinforced concrete

One core hole through the wall, sealed afterwardsTrunking to hide pipes on a finished wall

Vacuuming, leak check and test runRemoving and disposing of an old unit

Extra refrigerant for a long pipe run

Building management or community approval fees

Questions to ask before you accept a quote

How many metres of pipe are included, and what is the price per metre after that?

Is the bracket included?

Will the pipes be vacuumed with a pump, and for how long?

Who does the electrical connection?

Is the old unit taken away?

Is VAT included?

Most arguments after an installation are about extras nobody mentioned. We list them on the quote before work starts.

Split AC installation, step by step

Split AC installation, called ductless or mini split installation in some countries, takes three to five hours and has nine steps: survey the room, fix the back plate, drill the wall, mount the indoor unit, place the outdoor unit, run the pipes and cable, connect the electrics, vacuum the pipes, and release the gas and test. The vacuum step is the one most often skipped, and the one that matters most.

Survey

The technician checks the wall, the route for the pipes, the drain fall, the power supply and where the outdoor unit will sit.

Fix the back plate

The installation plate is screwed to a solid part of the wall and set dead level, so that condensate runs to the drain side.

Drill the wall

One core hole of about 65 mm is drilled behind the unit, sloping slightly down towards the outside so that rain and condensate cannot run in.

Mount the indoor unit

Pipes, drain hose and cable are passed through the hole, and the unit is hung on the plate.

Place the outdoor unit

It goes on a level base or bracket, on rubber mounts, with clear space around it for air.

Run the pipes and cable

Copper pipes are bent with a bender, not by hand, insulated separately along their full length, and joined with flare nuts tightened to the maker's torque.

Connect the electrics

The unit is wired to its own breaker of the rating the maker specifies, with an isolator near the outdoor unit and a proper earth.

Vacuum the pipes

A vacuum pump removes air and moisture from the pipes and indoor coil. The gauge is then watched to confirm the vacuum holds, which also proves there is no leak.

Release the gas and test

The refrigerant held in the outdoor unit is released into the system. The unit is run, and the air temperature, running pressure and drainage are checked.

Why the vacuum matters

Air and moisture left in the pipes mix with the refrigerant and oil. The moisture forms acid that attacks the compressor windings, and the air raises the running pressure. The unit cools on the day and fails early. Releasing a little gas to push the air out, known as purging, is not a substitute, and the makers' installation manuals say so.

Height and wall hole

The indoor unit usually sits 2 to 2.4 metres above the floor, with at least 15 cm of space above it for air to enter.

The hole is sleeved and sealed, so that insects, dust and humid air do not enter the wall.

Where drilling is not allowed, the pipes can sometimes leave through a window panel or an existing opening. A split AC cannot be installed with no opening at all.

Where to put the indoor and outdoor units

The position of the two units decides how well the AC cools, how loud it is and how long it lasts. The indoor unit should blow along the length of the room and not straight at the bed or sofa, and the outdoor unit needs shade, free air on all sides and a short pipe run back to the room.

UnitGood positionAvoid

IndoorHigh on a wall, blowing down the long side of the roomDirectly above the bed head or facing a seat at close range

IndoorOn an outside wall, so the pipe run is shortAbove a door that stays open, or beside a window in afternoon sun

IndoorWhere the drain can fall by gravity all the wayAbove sockets, a television or a wardrobe

IndoorClear of curtains and tall furnitureIn a corner where the air bounces straight back to the sensor

OutdoorShaded, with open air in front of the fanA closed balcony cupboard, or a narrow shaft with other units blowing into it

OutdoorOn a level base or a bracket rated for its weightStanding loose on a roof, or on a bracket fixed to hollow block

OutdoorReachable for servicing without a scaffoldA ledge no technician can stand on safely

OutdoorWhere its drip and noise do not reach a neighbourOutside a bedroom window, yours or next door's

Pipe length and height difference

Every model has a maximum pipe length and a maximum height difference between the two units, printed in its installation manual. Small splits typically allow 15 to 20 metres. Beyond the standard length, extra refrigerant must be weighed in at the rate the maker states. A unit installed past its limits loses capacity and wears its compressor.

Outdoor units in Dubai work in air of 45°C and more. One that draws back its own hot exhaust, because it is boxed in, will trip on the hottest afternoons of the year.

What size AC do you need?

AC size depends on the floor area of the room, with more capacity for west-facing rooms, top floors and high ceilings. As a guide for the UAE, a bedroom of 120 to 180 square feet needs 1.5 tons, and a living room of 200 to 250 square feet needs 2 tons. One ton equals 12,000 BTU per hour.

RoomApproximate sizeCapacity

Small bedroom or studyUp to 120 sq ft (11 sq m)1 ton

Standard bedroom120 to 180 sq ft (11 to 17 sq m)1.5 ton

Master bedroom180 to 220 sq ft (17 to 20 sq m)1.5 to 2 ton

Living or dining room200 to 250 sq ft (19 to 23 sq m)2 ton

Large open-plan room or majlis250 to 350 sq ft (23 to 33 sq m)2.5 ton

These figures follow LG's sizing guide for UAE homes, which assumes a ceiling of 2.8 metres. The same guide advises adding about half a ton for a west-facing room, and sizing up for top-floor flats and high ceilings.

Why bigger is not better

An oversized unit cools the air quickly and stops before it has removed the humidity, so the room feels cold and clammy.

It starts and stops more often, which wears the compressor.

An undersized unit runs flat out all summer and never reaches the set temperature at 3pm in August.

Inverter or fixed speed

An inverter unit varies its compressor speed and holds the temperature steadily, using less electricity over a long cooling season. It costs more to buy. In a home where the AC runs most of the year, it is usually the better choice.

The energy label

Room air conditioners sold in the UAE carry an energy efficiency label with one to five stars, under a scheme run by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. Five stars is the most efficient. DEWA says that replacing an old unit with a 4 or 5 star model can cut cooling consumption by up to 25%.

Installation by type: ducted, cassette, multi-split, window and portable

Each type of air conditioner installation is different. A wall split needs one hole and a few hours. A ducted or concealed unit sits above the ceiling and needs ductwork, grilles and an access hatch. A window unit needs only a sleeve and a socket, and a portable unit needs a way out for its exhaust hose.

TypeWhat installation involvesTimeSuits

Wall split (ductless)Back plate, one core hole, short pipe run, outdoor unit on a bracket or floor3 to 5 hoursSingle rooms, flats, villas

Multi-splitOne outdoor unit with separate pipe runs to two to five indoor units1 to 2 daysFlats with limited outdoor space

CassetteUnit set into the ceiling grid, with a drain pump and four-way grilleHalf a day to a dayOffices, shops, large living rooms

Ducted, ductable or concealed splitUnit above the ceiling, supply and return ducts, grilles, access hatch, thermostat2 to 5 daysVillas, whole apartments, fit-outs

Rooftop package unitUnit craned or carried to the roof, connected to the main ducts and the power supply1 to 3 daysShops, warehouses, older villas

Window ACUnit slid into a wall sleeve or window frame, tilted slightly outwards to drain, and sealed1 to 2 hoursOlder buildings with sleeves, labour rooms, kitchens

Portable ACExhaust hose fitted to a window kit, and the drain or tank set upUnder an hourRooms where nothing can be fixed to the wall

VRF or VRV systemCentral outdoor units, branch piping and controls, designed for the buildingWeeksLarge villas and commercial buildings

Points that are often missed

A concealed unit with no access hatch cannot be serviced. The hatch must be large enough to remove the filter and reach the drain pan.

A cassette's drain pump lifts water only a limited height. The drain pipe must then fall all the way to the outlet.

A window AC needs a firm, slightly sloping seat. A level or inward-leaning unit drips indoors.

A portable AC with one hose draws hot outside air into the room as it exhausts. It helps one room and is never as effective as a split of the same size.

AC duct installation

AC duct installation is the making and fitting of the supply and return ducts for a ducted system: insulated ductwork from the unit, flexible duct to each outlet, plenum boxes, diffusers and a return air path with a filter. Duct size and layout decide whether each room gets its share of air.

Main runs are made from pre-insulated panel or insulated sheet metal, sized for the airflow of the unit.

Flexible duct is kept short, pulled straight and supported, because every sag and sharp bend costs airflow.

Every joint is sealed and insulated, so cold air is not lost into the ceiling void and the duct does not sweat.

The return air path is given as much attention as the supply. A starved return makes the unit noisy and ices the coil.

Dampers are fitted on each branch, so the air can be balanced between rooms at the end.

We install new ductwork, add outlets to an existing system, and replace damaged ducts. Existing ducts that are sound but dusty can be cleaned instead. See AC duct cleaning.

AC installation cost in Dubai

AC installation cost in Dubai has two parts: the unit and the labour. Labour for a wall split typically costs AED 300 to AED 1,200 depending on size, and a split AC supplied and installed costs AED 1,800 to AED 6,000. These are 2026 market prices published by companies in the city, before VAT, and are not our fixed price list.

Labour only, for a unit you have bought

JobTypical Dubai market range (AED)

Split AC installation, 1 to 1.5 ton300 to 600

Split AC installation, 2 to 2.5 ton600 to 1,200

Split AC with a long pipe run, over 5 metres800 to 1,800

Extra copper pipe beyond the standard length50 to 100 per metre

Outdoor unit bracket150 to 400

New electrical circuit200 to 500

Building approval fee, where the building charges one200 to 500

Supplied and installed

SystemTypical Dubai market range (AED)

1 ton wall split1,800 to 3,500

1.5 ton wall split2,500 to 4,500

2 ton wall split3,500 to 6,000

Cassette unit4,000 to 8,000

Ducted system, 3 ton8,000 to 15,000

Ducted system, 5 ton14,000 to 25,000

Full villa, several zones30,000 to 70,000 and above

We quote your price when you book, or after a site visit for ducted and commercial work. Relocation and removal are quoted per unit, by the distance and the access.

What changes the price

Capacity. Larger units need thicker pipe, heavier brackets and a larger breaker.

Distance between the indoor and outdoor units.

Access to the outdoor position. A ledge on the tenth floor costs more than a villa roof.

The wall. Reinforced concrete takes longer to core than block.

The power supply. An existing AC point costs nothing extra, and a new circuit from the board does.

Brand and efficiency of the unit, if we supply it.

A very low AC installation charge usually leaves something out: the vacuum, the bracket or the insulation.

AC replacement: when to replace, and what can be reused

AC replacement, meaning a whole air conditioner replacement and not one part, makes sense when a unit is around ten years old and needs a major part, when it uses R22 gas, or when repairs are becoming frequent. DEWA gives ten years as the optimal lifespan of an air conditioner. A new unit of the same capacity usually fits the same position, and some of the old installation can be reused.

Part of the old installationReuse it?Condition

Wall hole and pipe routeYesIf the new unit's connections are on the same side

Outdoor bracketOftenIf it is free of rust and rated for the new unit's weight

Electrical circuit and isolatorOftenIf the breaker and cable match the new unit's rating

Drain pipeOftenIf it is clear and has a proper fall. It is flushed first

Copper pipesSometimesSame diameter, no kinks or leaks, and flushed clean. Never when changing from R22 without flushing, and not if the old compressor burnt out

Pipe insulationRarelyIt hardens and splits in the sun, and is cheap to renew

Ducts, on a ducted systemUsuallyIf they are sound. They are inspected and cleaned if needed

Replacing an R22 unit

R22 is being phased out worldwide under the Montreal Protocol, so the gas grows scarcer and dearer each year. Current units use R410A or R32, which run at higher pressures and with a different oil. The old pipes must be the right size and thickness and must be flushed, or the new compressor inherits the old unit's oil and debris.

Replacing like for like on a ducted system

The new unit must match the airflow the ducts were built for. A larger unit on the same ducts is louder and can freeze its coil. We measure the existing duct and return sizes before recommending a model.

Not sure whether to repair or replace? The age-by-age guide on our AC repair page sets out the choice.

AC relocation, shifting and dismantling

AC relocation, also called AC shifting or AC uninstallation and installation, means recovering the gas into the outdoor unit, dismantling both units, moving them, and installing them again as if new. It is common when moving home, renovating, or shifting a unit to a better wall. Done properly, the unit loses no gas and keeps working as before.

Pump down

With the unit running, the valves are closed in sequence so that the refrigerant is stored in the outdoor unit. This is why a working unit should be dismantled by a technician, not pulled off the wall by movers.

Disconnect and dismantle

Power is isolated, pipes and cable are disconnected, and the open pipe ends and valves are capped at once to keep out moisture.

Move

The outdoor unit travels upright. Laid on its side, the oil leaves the compressor.

Reinstall

The steps are the same as for a new unit, including new insulation, a vacuum and a leak check.

Top up if needed

If the new pipe run is longer than the old one, refrigerant is added by weight.

What to know before moving an AC

The old copper pipes can be reused only if the new route is the same length or shorter and the pipe is undamaged. Often new pipe is the better choice.

A unit that was already weak or leaking will not improve with a move. Have it checked first.

Let an outdoor unit that has been transported stand for a few hours before it is started.

In a rented home, the holes and brackets left behind may need making good. Check your tenancy contract.

We also remove old units that are not being refitted, recovering the gas first and not releasing it.

Approvals: building management, landlords and communities

Before an AC is installed in Dubai, check who has to agree to it. In an apartment, the building's management usually controls where outdoor units go and when contractors may work. In a villa community, changes visible from outside may need the developer's or owners' association's approval. Tenants need the landlord's consent to drill or alter.

Apartments. ask the building management for its contractor rules. Many require a work permit, a copy of the contractor's trade licence, a booking for the service lift, and work within set hours.

Outdoor units. most towers allow them only in the positions built for them. Units fixed to the facade without approval can be ordered down.

Villa communities. an outdoor unit on a boundary wall or roof edge, or new ductwork that changes the exterior, may need a no-objection certificate (NOC).

Tenants. get the landlord's written agreement before drilling, and agree who owns the unit when you leave.

Buildings on district cooling. the fan coil units belong to a chilled-water system. Adding a split AC is rarely permitted, and is seldom the right fix.

We provide the documents building managements normally ask for. The approval itself has to be requested by the owner or tenant.

Electrical supply and drainage

An air conditioner needs its own correctly rated electrical circuit and a drain that falls continuously to a proper outlet. Most call-backs after installation trace to one of the two: a breaker that trips in the afternoon heat, or water running down the wall.

Electrical

Each unit should have a dedicated circuit, with breaker and cable sized to the current the maker states. Sharing a socket circuit is a common cause of tripping and overheated plugs.

An isolator near the outdoor unit lets a technician work on it safely.

The unit must be earthed, and protected by the earth leakage device in the distribution board.

Larger ducted and package units need a three-phase supply. We check what the board can provide before recommending a unit.

Drainage

The drain pipe must fall all the way, with no dips where water can lie and grow slime.

It should end at a floor drain, a drain stack built for the purpose, or outdoors where the water harms nobody. It should not drip onto a neighbour's balcony or a walkway.

A drain joined to a waste pipe needs a water trap, or drain smells are drawn back through the unit.

Where gravity cannot do it, a condensate pump is fitted, with access for cleaning.

Seven installation mistakes that cause breakdowns later

A badly installed AC usually works on the day and fails within months. The seven mistakes below account for most early failures, and each can be checked by the customer or by a technician afterwards. If a new AC is installed and not cooling properly, start with this list.

MistakeWhat happens laterHow to tell

No vacuum, or a short oneMoisture and air in the system. Weak cooling, then compressor failureNo vacuum pump was used, or it ran for only a few minutes

Leaking flare jointGas escapes over weeks. Cooling fades, and the coil icesOil stain at a pipe joint. Cooling worse each month

Kinked or flattened pipeRestricted flow, poor cooling, noisy compressorA sharp bend visible behind the unit or at the outdoor valves

Drain without a fallWater backs up and drips indoorsWater on the wall below the unit in humid weather

Pipes insulated together, or with gapsCondensation drips inside the wall, and capacity is lostDamp patch along the pipe route. Bare copper visible outdoors

Wrong breaker or thin cableTripping on hot afternoons, hot or melted connectionsBreaker rating differs from the nameplate requirement

Outdoor unit boxed inHigh pressure trips, short compressor lifeHot air cannot escape. Unit cuts out mid-afternoon

If your AC was fitted by someone else and shows any of these, we can inspect it and put the installation right.

After installation: first checks and first service

In the first week after installation, check four things: the room reaches the set temperature, no water appears indoors, the outdoor unit runs without rattling, and the breaker has not tripped. Report any of them at once, while the installation is fresh and covered.

Keep the invoice, the unit's warranty card and its serial number. The maker's warranty normally starts from the purchase date.

Wash the filters after the first month, especially if building work has been going on.

Book the first routine service after about six months. See AC service and maintenance.

Brands we supply and install

We supply and install the air conditioner brands sold in the UAE, including Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, LG, Samsung, Gree, Midea, O General, Hitachi, Panasonic, Toshiba, Hisense, TCL, Carrier, York, Trane, Haier and Super General. The method is the same across brands. Pipe sizes, maximum pipe lengths and breaker ratings differ, and are taken from each model's manual.

The maker's warranty on the unit is the maker's. Some brands attach conditions to it, so read the warranty card before the unit is fitted.

Offices, shops and new fit-outs

Commercial AC installation is planned around the fit-out, and needs an HVAC installer who can read the drawings and the landlord's rules. We install cassette, ducted and package systems in offices, shops, clinics, restaurants and warehouses, and coordinate with the fit-out contractor so that ducts, drains and power are in place before the ceiling closes.

Offices. cassette or ducted units by zone, with thermostats placed where people sit and not above the printer.

Shops. capacity sized for doors that open all day and for lighting heat.

Restaurants. dining area cooling balanced against the kitchen extract, so the kitchen does not pull the cold air out.

Server and comms rooms. a dedicated unit that runs all year, with a second as standby.

Malls and managed buildings. drawings and approvals prepared to the landlord's requirements.

After handover, the system can go onto a contract. See HVAC maintenance contracts.

AC installation near me: choosing an installer, and areas we cover

When you search for AC installation near me or aircon installation near me in Dubai, choose the AC installation company by how it installs, not by the lowest labour price. A professional AC installation uses a vacuum pump, a pipe bender and a torque wrench, and the installer can tell you the pipe length and breaker rating your model needs.

A written quote that lists what is included and the price of each extra.

A vacuum pump and gauges on the job.

Technicians who do the electrical connection themselves, to the nameplate rating.

Knowledge of your building's rules for contractors and outdoor units.

A warranty on the installation work, in writing.

An invoice with the company's trade details.

We install air conditioners across Dubai from our office in Al Quoz, including Al Barsha, Dubai Marina, JBR, JLT, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown, Business Bay, Jumeirah, Dubai Hills, JVC, Arabian Ranches, Mirdif, Deira, Bur Dubai, Karama, Al Qusais, International City and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

Frequently asked questions

Can you install an AC I bought online or from a shop?

Yes. Tell us the brand, model and capacity when you book, so the technician brings the right pipe and fittings.

Is installation included when I buy an AC from a retailer?

Some retailers include a standard installation and some charge for it. Check how many metres of pipe are covered and whether the bracket and vacuum are included.

Can a split AC be installed without drilling a hole?

The pipes need a way out. If the wall cannot be drilled, a window panel or an existing opening can sometimes be used. Otherwise a portable or window unit is the alternative.

How high should the indoor unit be?

About 2 to 2.4 metres from the floor, with at least 15 cm of clear space above it.

Does a new AC come with gas?

Yes. The outdoor unit is charged at the factory for a standard pipe length. Extra is added only for a longer run.

Can I install a split AC myself?

The mounting is simple, but the flare joints, vacuum and electrical connection need tools and training. Faults in those steps are the usual cause of early failure.

Do you take away the old unit?

Yes. We recover the gas, remove both units and dispose of them.

When is the best time of year to install?

November to March. The work is easier in cool weather, and you are not without cooling while it is done.

Will installing a new AC affect my DEWA connection?

Replacing a unit with one of similar capacity does not. Adding several large units can exceed what your distribution board was built for, and we check that first.

My new AC is not cooling well. Is it the unit or the installation?

It is more often the installation: a leak at a joint, air in the pipes or a kinked pipe. We check pressures and joints before assuming the unit is faulty.

Book an AC installation in Dubai

To book, use the online form, send a WhatsApp message or call +971 55 209 9785. Tell us your area, the type of property, the room size, and whether you need us to supply the unit or fit one you have.

A photo of the wall and of the place for the outdoor unit helps us give an accurate price before the technician sets off.

AC Installation in Dubai: Split, Ducted and Window AC Fitting, Replacement and Relocation