Checked against the rules on 3 November 2026
Portable or fixed air conditioning?
A portable unit is cheap, needs no installer and suits a rented room or an occasional hot week. A fixed split system costs far more to fit but cools better, runs more quietly and can also heat the room. If you want to keep one room comfortable every summer for years, fixed usually wins. For a short-term fix, portable is fine.
Get a quote
Name, number and postcode are all we need. We phone you back.
The differences at a glance
| Portable | Fixed split system | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | About £300 to £650 | About £1,900 to £2,240, plus electrics |
| Installation | None, plugs in | Professional, with a hole through the wall |
| Noise in the room | Compressor is in the room | Compressor is outside |
| Heating | Some models | Most models, efficiently |
| Permissions | None | Check planning, lease and neighbours |
Costs are from Checkatrade's May 2026 national guide.
Why portable units cool less well
The hot part of the machine sits in the room with you, and the hot exhaust has to go out through a hose in a window or door. That gap is hard to seal, so warm air leaks back in, and the unit fights itself. Many also have to be emptied of water, depending on the model and the humidity. They are fine at taking the edge off, but in a heatwave they may struggle to make a real difference, especially in a loft room.
When a portable unit is the right call
- You rent and cannot fix anything to the walls
- The problem lasts a couple of weeks a year
- You need something tomorrow, while you wait for a survey
- The budget does not stretch to a fixed system this year
If you can, open windows at night and shade them during the day as well.
When fixed is worth the money
- You plan to stay, and you want to sleep through every hot spell
- The noise in the room matters, as it does in a bedroom or home office
- The room is also cold in winter, because the same system can heat it
- You want the floor space back, with no hose in the window
Our home air conditioning page explains how we approach a room, and what air conditioning costs breaks down the figures.
Common questions
Do portable units need an F-gas engineer?
No, because they are sealed, self-contained appliances and you do not touch the refrigerant. Many now use propane, so follow the maker's instructions on room size and placement.
Can a portable unit heat as well?
Some can, but check the figures. Many use a basic electric element rather than a heat pump, which costs far more to run for the same warmth.
Is a fan or evaporative cooler the same?
No. A fan moves air and an evaporative cooler adds moisture. Neither removes heat from the room the way air conditioning does.
Sources
Have these to hand
A quote is quicker when we know a little about the building.
- Postcode and type of property
- The rooms, and their rough size
- Which way the windows face
- Where an outdoor unit might go
- Whether it is listed or in a conservation area
Looking for someone to do the work? See air conditioning in Maidstone for what we install, service and repair, and where.
Related services
Home air conditioning
Bedrooms, loft rooms, living rooms and home offices.
Air conditioning installation
From the survey to the handover: what fitting a split system involves.
More guides
How much does air conditioning cost?
Installation, electrics, servicing and running costs, with the sums shown.
Do you need planning permission for air conditioning?
Permitted development, noise limits and Maidstone's conservation areas.
Can air conditioning heat your home?
Reversible systems, the running cost against gas and electric, and the limits.
What size air conditioning do you need?
kW and BTU by floor area, and what changes the answer.
F-gas rules: what to check about your installer
The certificates to ask for, leak-check duties and the 2025 refrigerant ban.
Ask for a quote
Leave your number and we will phone you back to talk through the job. Or ring 01622 239046.