It feels like Singapore is getting hotter and more humid. On some days, even sitting at home with the fan on may not be enough. That’s when the aircon, for those of us who have one, feels like the best invention ever.
Whether you’re thinking of installing a new air conditioner, replace an old unit, or adding more units at home, the cost can vary quite a bit. Beyond the sticker price, you’ll also need to factor in installation, electricity usage and ongoing maintenance.
Read Also: 6 Air Purifiers At Different Price Points To Keep Your Home Well-Ventilated
How Much Does An Air Conditioner Cost In Singapore?
Air conditioner prices in Singapore usually depend on the system type, brand, cooling capacity (BTU), energy efficiency rating and whether installation is included. You may also pay more if your home requires longer piping, additional trunking or more difficult access to the outdoor compressor ledge.
Some of the main retailers selling air conditioners in Singapore include Gain City, Harvey Norman, Courts and Mega Discount Store. Popular brands include Daikin, EuropAce, Fujitsu, Haier, Hitachi, LG, Midea, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic, TCL and Toshiba.
Air conditioners are usually sold by “system” type, from System 1 to System 5. A System 1 aircon has one indoor unit connected to one outdoor condenser. A System 2 has two indoor units, while a System 5 has five.
As a rough guide, these are the typical price ranges you may see:
| Type / System | Typical Price Range | Who It May Suit |
| System 1 | About $1,100 – $1,800 per unit with installation | Single bedroom, study or rental room |
| System 2 | About $2,400 – $3,200 per set with installation | Smaller flats or two rooms used regularly |
| System 3 | About $2,900 – $4,200 per set with installation | Three bedrooms or a typical 3- HDB flat with living room |
| System 4 | About $4,200 – $5,300 per set with installation | Four bedrooms or a typical 4- HDB flat with living room |
| System 5 | About $5,600 – $7,000 per set with installation | Five bedrooms or a typical 5- HDB flat with living room |
| Portable aircon | About $450 – $1,500 per unit | Renters, spot cooling or rooms with no trunking |
Example Air Conditioner Prices
To get a sense of prices, a search on Courts showed a 9K BTU Midea Inverter single-split air conditioner with installation going for $1,049. It has a 5-tick energy rating.
On Mega Discount Store, a Panasonic System 2 Aircon (9K+18K BTU) was listed at $2,650. It comes with free installation and has a 5-tick energy rating.
A PRISM+ Neo smart air conditioner System 3 with a 5-tick energy rating costs $3,549, down from the original price of $4,149, for 9K+9K+18K BTU combination. This works out to about $1,183 per unit.
Portable air conditioners tend to cost less than inverter air conditioners. For example, the 2-tick novita CoolPlus 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner costs $598. However, given its size, it is more likely to cool the immediate area around you rather than an entire room.
When comparing prices, check what “installation included” actually covers. Some packages include standard installation, while others may charge separately for piping, brackets, trunking, additional materials or extra trips. These add-ons can affect the final cost.
You May Be Able To Use Climate Vouchers
Households may also be able to use Climate Vouchers worth up to $400 to offset part of the cost when buying a more energy-efficient (5-tick) air conditioner.
Under the enhanced Climate Friendly Households Programme, eligible HDB households can use Climate Vouchers to purchase selected energy- and water-efficient appliances, including eligible air conditioners, from participating retailers. This can help reduce the upfront cost of choosing a more efficient model.
Do note that the vouchers can only be used for eligible products and at participating retailers. Any unused credits will expire by 31 December 2027, so do check the CFHP website or the retailer before making payment.
What To Look Out For When Buying An Air Conditioner
While price is an important factor when comparing air conditions, it should not be the only reason. A cheaper aircon may cost less upfront, but it could use more electricity over time if it is less energy efficient or not properly sized for the room.
Energy Efficiency Rating
In Singapore, air conditioners come with an energy efficiency rating under NEA’s tick system. The more ticks the aircon has, the more energy efficient it is. A 5-tick aircon will generally use less electricity than a 2-tick or 3-tick model, which can help lower your electricity bills in the long run.
The tick rating is based on technical measurements such as the air conditioner’s Coefficient of Performance (COP) and standby power consumption. Put simply, COP measures how efficiently the air conditioner converts electricity into cooling. A higher COP means the unit is more efficient, while standby power refers to the electricity consumed when the unit is not actively cooling.
Image Credit: NEA
As shown in the NEA energy efficiency table above, 5-tick air conditioners generally need to meet higher COP requirements and lower standby power limits compared to lower tick-rated models.
That said, these more energy-efficient models usually cost more upfront. However, if you use the air conditioners frequently, it will more than offset the higher cost with savings on your electricity bill over the long run.
Choosing The Right BTU And System Size
BTU, or British Thermal Unit, measures how much heat an aircon can remove from a room in one hour. As a rough guide, you’ll need about 20 BTU per square foot of space you are cooling.
For example:
- Typical HDB bedroom: around 9,000 to 12,000 BTU
- Larger living or dining area: around 18,000 to 24,000 BTU
While you don’t have to be too precise with the calculation, make sure not to undersize only to save a few hundred dollars. Ultimately, an underpowered aircon would need to run harder and cool less effectively, causing it to wear out faster.
For a standard four-room HDB flat, many households may choose a System 3 for the three bedrooms. However, if you also want to cool the living room, a System 4 would be more practical. On the other hand, if you only wish to use the aircon in the master bedroom and one other room, a System 2 may be sufficient and could also help you to save on both upfront and future servicing costs.
Smart Features
Certain air conditioner models may also come with smart features such as app control, smart scheduling, deodorising filters, anti-bacterial functions and energy usage tracking.
For example, the PRISM+ Neo air conditioner lets you control the aircon through the PRISM+ Smart Home App, including fan speed, mode, timer and LED settings. You can also view usage patterns and schedule servicing appointments through the app.
These features can be useful if you want more convenience or need reminders to switch the aircon off. But as you would expect, these added features would also increase the costs for these air conditioners compared to standard models.
Maintenance Costs Of Air Conditioners In Singapore
Buying the aircon is just the first step. Subsequently, you would need to cater for regular servicing and maintenance to keep it in good condition.
General servicing rates in Singapore are usually quoted based on the number of indoor units and a condenser. Some companies offer a yearly maintenance package, which would be typically cheaper than ad hoc cleaning enquiries.
| Number of aircon units | General servicing rates (Waterjet Services) |
| 1 unit | About $50 – $70 |
| 2 units | About $60 – $85 |
| 3 units | About $80 – $110 |
| 4 units | About $90 – $130 |
| 5 units | About $110 – $150 |
For more intensive servicing, a non-dismantle chemical wash can cost around $80 to $130 per unit, while a chemical overhaul can cost around $150 to $220 per unit. A gas top-up can cost around $80 to $180, depending on the gas type and amount required.
Regular servicing helps maintain cooling performance, improves air quality and reduces the chance of breakdowns. A dirty or clogged aircon also has to work harder to cool the room, which may increase electricity usage.
As a guide, if you’re a light user, you may want to service your air conditioners every 6 to 12 months. If you tend to use them daily, then you may want to schedule servicing every 3 to 6 months.
For HDB dwellers, you are also expected to maintain your aircon properly. This includes keeping external walls free from stains and fixing leaks or noise issues quickly. If the aircon causes nuisance to neighbours or is not properly maintained, HDB may ask you to repair it, stop using it or remove it.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Run Your Air Conditioner Every Night?
How To Make Your Air Conditioner Last Longer
You do not need fancy hacks and tricks to make your aircon last longer. Just follow these basic rules.
Clean the filters every few weeks, especially for bedroom units that are used often. Avoid setting the temperature too low; 24°C to 25°C is usually a good balance between comfort and electricity savings. You can also use Dry mode on humid or rainy days, as it reduces moisture in the air and usually uses less energy than normal cooling mode.
If you tend to usually forget switching off the aircon, use smart controls or timer settings to help you reduce wastage.
Is It Worth Paying More For A Better Air Conditioner?
A cheaper aircon can help you save on upfront costs, while a more energy-efficient model can help lower your electricity bills over time.
If you use your aircon almost every night, it may be worth paying more for a properly sized 5-tick inverter model. If you only use it occasionally, a cheaper model or portable aircon may be sufficient if you want to want to keep the upfront costs low.
However, over an 8-to-10-year period, choosing the right system size, getting a 5-tick model and servicing it regularly may result in greater savings than getting a one-time discount on a less efficient or undersized unit.
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