Modern air conditioning can transform your home
Keeping you cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and comfortable all year round.
At Norton Air Conditioning Ltd, we specialise in domestic air conditioning solutions, designed around your home, your lifestyle, and your budget. With over 50 years of experience, we provide expert installation, maintenance and repair services across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire.
Installation
Bespoke home air conditioning systems
Looking to install air conditioning in your home? We design and install tailored domestic air conditioning systems that blend seamlessly into your living space while delivering efficient, reliable climate control.
Whether it’s a single room, a loft conversion, or a whole-house solution, our experienced engineers will recommend the right system for your property and install it to the highest standards.
We only install proven, high-quality systems from leading manufacturers, including Panasonic, Toshiba, Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hitachi and Fujitsu — ensuring long-lasting performance and energy efficiency in your home.
Maintenance
Air conditioning maintenance
Expert air conditioning maintenance you can rely on, year after year
01
Air conditioning maintenance for homes
Keeping your system running at its best. Regular maintenance helps keep your home air conditioning system operating efficiently, quietly and reliably. It also plays an important role in maintaining good air quality and extending the lifespan of your system.
02
Flexible servicing options
We offer both one-off servicing and planned maintenance visits, arranged at times that suit you. Whether you want a single health check or ongoing care, we’ll tailor the service around your home and usage.
03
What our maintenance service includes
- Full system inspection and servicing
- Performance and efficiency checks
- Early identification of potential issues
- Responsive support if something goes wrong
Repairs
Fast, reliable repairs for domestic systems
If your air conditioning isn’t working as it should, our expert repair team is on hand to help.
01
Keeping your home comfortable when it matters most
We provide prompt, reliable domestic air conditioning repairs, diagnosing faults quickly and restoring comfort to your home with minimal disruption. We understand how important a working system is — especially during extreme temperatures — which is why we offer a 24/7 emergency call-out service for breakdowns.
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Our repair service includes:
- Fault finding and diagnosis
- Supply and replacement of faulty parts
- Emergency call-outs when you need them most
- Skilled engineers with extensive domestic experience
Why choose us
Here’s what sets us apart from the rest
From first consultation to ongoing support, here’s why so many homeowners choose Norton Air Conditioning Ltd.
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Over 50 years of experience
Delivering reliable air conditioning solutions for homes.
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Domestic specialists
With systems designed specifically for residential properties.
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Highly training engineers
Who take pride in quality workmanship.
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Trusted brands only
Ensuring long-lasting performance and efficiency.
FAQs
Got a question?
View our Frequently Asked Questions to find the answer.
F01
What is air conditioning?
A system for controlling the humidity, ventilation, and temperature in a building, typically to maintain a cool atmosphere in warm conditions.
F02
How does air conditioning work?
Air conditioners use refrigerants that easily convert from a gas to a liquid and back again. These refrigerants are used to transfer heat from the air inside of a building to the outside air (and vice versa when the system is heating).
The machine has three main parts. They are a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. The compressor and condenser are usually located on the outside. The evaporator is located inside the building.
The working fluid arrives at the compressor as a cool, low-pressure gas. The compressor squeezes the fluid. This packs the molecule of the fluid closer together. The closer the molecules are together, the higher its energy and its temperature.
The working fluid leaves the compressor as a hot, high pressure gas and flows into the condenser.
When the working fluid leaves the condenser, its temperature is much cooler, and it has changed from a gas to a liquid under high pressure. The liquid goes into the evaporator through an orifice (a very tiny, narrow hole). On the other side, the liquid’s pressure drops. When it does it begins to evaporate into a gas.
As the liquid changes to gas and evaporates, it extracts heat from the air around it.
By the time the working fluid leaves the evaporator, it is a cool, low pressure gas. It then returns to the compressor to begin its trip all over again.
This continues over and over and over until the room reaches the temperature you want the room cooled to. The thermostat senses that the temperature has reached the right setting and turns off the air conditioner. As the room warms up, the thermostat turns the air conditioner back on until the room reaches the temperature.
F03
Do I need my air conditioning system serviced?
It is recommended that an air conditioning system is serviced at least once a year, in many other instances, maintenance may be required two, three or four times annually.
In residential properties where a system may only be used for half a year, a service once a year may be sufficient. In commercial properties, such as office buildings, it may require two visits annually. In other instances, such as hotels and hairdressers for example, systems may require four visits annually to keep them running efficiently.
After a new installation, for warranty purposes, the manufacturer of the equipment may insist on regular servicing for up to three years.
The amount of refrigerant inside a system may also dictate how many maintenance visits are required annually. If a system contains over a certain amount of refrigerant, then it may need an annual leak test under the 2014 EU F-Gas Regulation. Larger systems may require six-monthly or three-monthly leak tests.
F04
Is air conditioning installation VAT-free in the UK in residential properties?
Due to recent legislation changes, and under VAT notice 708/6, energy-saving materials and heating equipment; the installation of air conditioning units, which, as well as cooling, also provide a heating mode, are now subject to zero VAT.
This recent change to the zero rating of VAT for the installation of domestic air conditioning units, in residential properties in the UK, came into effect from 1st February 2024, and at the moment, is in place until 31st March 2027.
Air conditioning units which also offer heating, can be classed as “heat pumps” as they offer dual usage (both heating and cooling).
This recent legislation on the installation of air conditioning units in domestic houses in the UK, only covers fixed installations, where there is an indoor unit on the wall inside the property, and an outdoor unit, outside of the property, which is linked with the necessary copper pipework.
Please note that this 0% VAT does not include portable / mobile air conditioning units; only the fixed installations, of split system air conditioning units.
F05
How often does a home air conditioning system need to be serviced?
We recommend that domestic air conditioning systems are serviced at least once a year, to keep them running efficiently and to catch any developing faults early.
Regular servicing matters for two main reasons. First, warranty compliance: after a new installation, manufacturers may require proof of regular servicing for the duration of the warranty period in order to keep the warranty valid. Second, performance and running costs: a well-maintained system cools more effectively and uses less energy, while a neglected one is more likely to break down or lose efficiency over time.
A typical annual service includes a full system inspection, performance checks, and early identification of any developing issues. Systems with larger refrigerant charges may also fall under F-Gas Regulations, which can require more frequent statutory leak checks — our engineers will advise if this applies to your system.
Norton Air Conditioning offers both one-off servicing visits and planned annual maintenance for homeowners across Reading, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire.
F06
Do I need planning permission to install air conditioning at my home in the UK?
For most houses, an outdoor air conditioning condenser unit falls under Permitted Development rights, meaning planning permission generally isn’t required, provided certain conditions are met. The outdoor unit must have a volume of less than 0.6m³ (which covers the vast majority of domestic condensers), it must be positioned at least 1 metre from the property boundary, and it should not be installed above ground-floor level on a wall or roof that faces a highway.
Planning permission is required, however, if your property is listed, sits within a conservation area, or is subject to an Article 4 direction. It’s also required if you live in a flat or maisonette, as Permitted Development rights don’t extend to these properties — you’ll usually need permission from your local planning authority, as well as consent from your freeholder or management company under the terms of your lease
If you’re unsure whether your installation qualifies, it’s worth checking with your local planning authority, or applying for a Lawful Development Certificate for written confirmation. Our engineers are also happy to advise on this based on your property type before any work begins.
F07
How much does it cost to install air conditioning in a home in the UK?
The cost of installing residential air conditioning depends on several factors: the number of rooms or zones needing cooling, the type of system (single split, multi-split, or ducted), the size and output of the unit, and the complexity of the installation, including pipework runs, any structural work, and electrical requirements.
As a general guide, a single-room split system — for a bedroom or home office, for example — typically costs in the region of £1,800–£2,500 fully fitted, including the unit and installation. Larger units, or systems with additional features such as smart controls, additional room sensors or extra filtration may cost more than this.
A multi-split system covering several rooms, or a ducted system for a whole-house solution, will cost proportionately more, since each additional indoor unit and metre of pipework adds to the overall price.
Running costs also vary, but most domestic systems cost approximately 20–60 pence per hour to run, depending on the efficiency of the system and the outdoor temperature.
Because every property is different, Norton Air Conditioning provides a bespoke, no-obligation quote for each home, based on its layout and your cooling requirements.