How much does it cost to install a split air conditioner in Benidorm?
Installing a 2.5 to 3.5 kW split in Benidorm usually costs between €750 and €1,300, including VAT, the unit and the fitting. With pre-installation in place we have it running in half a day; without it, in a day. For large or very sunny living rooms, a 5 kW unit costs around €1,200–1,900.
- Price
- €750–1,300 inc. VAT (2.5–3.5 kW)
- Time
- half a day with pre-installation; a day without
- Guarantee
- 3 years on unit and fitting
- Unit
- inverter, R32 gas, cooling and heating
Prices including VAT, checked in .
Getting the size right
In Benidorm apartments the direction a room faces matters as much as its size. A 25 m² south-facing lounge in Poniente needs more than the same room on a shaded first floor. So we ask about the terrace, the windows and the hours of sun before suggesting 2.5, 3.5 or 5 kW.
Too small and the unit struggles all August; too big and it cycles on and off without drying the air. We aim for the right fit.
Air conditioner size by room area
On the coast we work on roughly 120 W per square metre, and go up a size if the room faces south or west, is on the top floor or has a lot of glass. For reference, 1 kW is about 860 frigorías, the unit Spanish shops often quote.
| Floor area | Output | Frigorías approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 m² (bedroom) | 2–2.5 kW | 1,700–2,150 |
| 15–25 m² | 2.5–3.5 kW | 2,150–3,000 |
| 25–35 m² | 3.5–4.2 kW | 3,000–3,600 |
| 35–50 m² | 5–6 kW | 4,300–5,150 |
| Over 50 m² or open-plan | 7 kW, multi-split or ducted | 6,000 or more |
How the fitting works
We put the indoor unit where it spreads air best, run the pipework with as little disruption as possible and fix the outdoor unit on anti-vibration brackets. We vacuum the circuit, check the pressures and show you the remote and the app if your model has one.
If your property already has pre-installed pipework, the job is shorter and cheaper. If not, we explain beforehand where the pipes will run and how the trunking will look.
Outdoor units on terraces and walls
In the area's tall buildings the outdoor unit usually sits on a terrace, in a light well or on a rear wall. We look for a spot with good airflow that won't bother neighbours with noise or drips, and keep it as sheltered from the salt air as we can.
What if the outdoor unit has to go on a tower block wall?
In the towers of Levante, Poniente and La Cala we avoid hanging the outdoor unit on the façade wherever we can. It means rope access or a cherry picker, which adds €150–400 to the job, plus the community of owners' approval. There's almost always room on the terrace or in the light well instead.
Where we fit
We're a good fit if you want to cool a lounge or bedroom without building work, in an apartment, a holiday let or a small house. For three rooms or more, look at multi-split or ducted systems.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a split installation take?
With pre-installed pipework it's usually half a day. Without it, and with pipes run along the outside wall, it's normally a day. We confirm once we've seen the property.
Can the outdoor unit go on my balcony?
Often, yes, as long as it has room to breathe and the condensation can drain away. We check it with you and suggest the best spot.
Does a split heat as well as cool?
Yes. Modern units are heat pumps and heat very efficiently in the coastal climate, where it almost never freezes.
How much electricity does a 3.5 kW split use in summer?
An A++ inverter split of 3.5 kW uses about 0.5–0.9 kWh per hour of running. At six hours a day in August that's usually €15–30 a month, depending on your electricity tariff.
