Air conditioning installation in Cape Town, done properly
Wall splits, under-ceiling, ducted and commercial air conditioning, installed by an HVACR company with over 25 years in the trade. Every system is pressure tested, evacuated and checked before we hand it over.
Homes, offices, guest houses and businesses
We install air conditioning for homeowners, offices, guest houses, hotels and shops across Cape Town. You deal with the same company from the first site visit to the handover, and we look after the system afterwards with regular services.
Our wider work includes the South African Navy, Iziko SA Museums, the University of Cape Town and Cape Town Fish Market.
Across Cape Town
- Southern Suburbs
- Northern Suburbs
- Atlantic Seaboard
- City Bowl
Not sure if you're in our area? Send us your suburb on WhatsApp and we'll let you know.
From a single bedroom unit to a whole building
Whatever the space, we look at it first and recommend the type of system that suits it, then quote for that installation.
Wall-mounted splits
The most common choice for bedrooms, lounges and small offices.
Under-ceiling units
For larger open-plan rooms, shops and restaurants.
Ducted (hideaway) units
Hidden in the ceiling, with discreet grilles serving one or more rooms.
Console and window-wall units
Floor-standing or through-the-wall options where a wall split won't fit.
VRF and VRV systems
One outdoor system serving many rooms, for offices, guest houses and hotels.
Central plants and chillers
Commercial and institutional systems, including air handling units.
What a standard wall-split installation includes
For the most common job, a wall-mounted split, our starting point is what we call a back-to-back installation: the indoor and outdoor units on either side of the same wall. Anything beyond that, and every other type of system, is set out line by line in your written quote after the site visit.
Back-to-back units
Indoor and outdoor units mounted either side of the same wall, set level and secure.
Pipe run under 3 m
Insulated copper pipework between the units, up to 3 metres, with properly made flare joints.
Outdoor bracket
A wall bracket for the outdoor unit, fixed to carry its weight and keep it clear of the ground.
Condensate drain
The drain line installed and tested, so water runs away from walls and walkways.
The electrical point is quoted separately
For a compliant installation, your air conditioner needs its own circuit breaker on the distribution board and an isolator within 1 metre of the outdoor unit, so it can be switched off quickly in an emergency. We quote it as a separate line so you can compare our price with an electrician's. Plugging the unit into the nearest wall socket is common, but we don't recommend it.
From site visit to handover
Site visit
We look at where the units will go, the wall type, the pipe route and the electrical supply.
Written quote
A clear quote for the job, with the electrical point and any extras listed separately.
Installation day
A standard wall split takes 3 to 5 hours, but we book the whole day so nothing is rushed. Larger systems are scheduled in your quote. You pay for the job, not the hours.
Testing & handover
Pressure test, evacuation, electrical and drain checks, then we show you how to use your new system.
We choose brands on after-sales service
A unit is only as good as the support behind it. We recommend brands that have been in the South African market long enough to have a track record, with parts and service available locally in Cape Town.
We always recommend an inverter unit. It costs more up front, but it uses far less electricity than a fixed-speed unit. Inverter vs fixed-speed, explained.
Midea, most often
The brand we install most in Cape Town, because it gives the best value: Wi-Fi app control comes standard, and the outdoor coil has a factory anti-corrosion coating, which matters near the sea.
- Midea
- Daikin
- Samsung
Not sure which type suits your room? Read the different types of air conditioners.
Why installation quotes differ
No two homes are the same, which is why we don't publish a price list. For a wall split, these are the things that move a quote up from a standard installation. A site visit gives you the exact figure.
What we never skip
Most early aircon failures come down to the installation, not the unit. These are the steps a cheap installation leaves out, and the reason we book a full day.
Common questions about aircon installation
What does a standard wall-split installation include?
For a wall-mounted split, a back-to-back installation: the indoor and outdoor units on either side of the same wall with a pipe run of under 3 metres, the wall bracket for the outdoor unit, and the condensate drain. The electrical point is quoted separately.
How long does an aircon installation take?
A standard wall-split installation takes 3 to 5 hours, and we book the whole day so nothing is rushed. Larger systems take longer; the timing is set out in your quote. We quote by the job, not by the hour.
Do I need a separate electrical point?
Yes. For a compliant installation the unit needs its own circuit breaker on the distribution board and an isolator within 1 metre of the outdoor unit. Running a lead to the nearest plug is common, but we don't recommend it.
Which brand should I choose?
We choose brands mainly on local after-sales service and parts availability. We install Midea most often, and we also install Daikin and Samsung. We always recommend an inverter unit because it uses far less electricity.
What should I have ready before the installation?
Access to the property, your agreement to the installation terms, and any body corporate permission you need. We ask for these in writing before we book the installation, and we bring all the equipment.
Ready for a quote?
Tell us about your space and we'll arrange a site visit. You'll get a clear written quote, with nothing hidden.
Or call 068 347 3239 · info@paradigmcooling.co.za