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With Diwali sales in full swing and winter just around the corner, this might seem like a good time to buy an air conditioner. Summer is still months away, and with demand typically lower during the colder months, many buyers may be tempted to pick up an AC at a discount rather than wait for the next heatwave. Attractive deals and promises of free installation only make the offer more tempting.
But the price you see isn’t always what you end up paying. You buy a 1.5-ton split AC for Rs 30,000, expecting installation to be free, only to find out that additional copper piping, an outdoor unit bracket and electrical work could cost extra. Before you know it, your supposedly free installation has added thousands of rupees to the bill.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Free standard installation doesn’t necessarily cover every material and every piece of work required to get an AC running. The offer typically covers a defined set of installation activities, while additional materials and site-specific work may be chargeable.
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The exact inclusions vary by brand, model and offer. Additional copper piping may be required if the indoor and outdoor units are farther apart than the supplied piping allows. An outdoor unit bracket, extended drain pipe or additional electrical wiring can also increase the cost.
These charges aren’t automatically unfair. The problem arises when buyers discover the exclusions only after the technicians arrive, leaving them little time to understand or compare the costs.
The extra charges can vary by brand, but the price lists give you an idea of what to expect. LG charges Rs 1,050 per metre for additional copper piping for inverter ACs, while a standard outdoor wall bracket costs Rs 750, including labour. Daikin’s rates are higher, at Rs 1,298 per metre for extra refrigerant piping and Rs 944 for a standard L-type stand, including GST. The final cost will depend on how much additional material your installation requires.
Consider a hypothetical installation requiring two extra metres of copper piping, a wall bracket, drain pipe extension and additional wiring.
| Additional requirement | Illustrative cost |
| Copper piping, 2 metres | Rs 2,100 |
| Outdoor unit bracket | Rs 750 |
| Drain pipe extension, 3 metres | Rs 270 |
| Additional electrical wiring | Rs 700 |
| Other site-specific work | Rs 500 |
| Total additional cost | Rs 4,320 |
Note: Illustrative calculation using selected published rates and hypothetical quantities. Actual charges will vary.
An AC purchased for Rs 30,000 would effectively cost Rs 34,320 before any other expenses. While the additional work may be necessary, buyers should know what they are paying for before approving it.
Extra charges aren’t always avoidable. If the outdoor unit is far from the indoor unit, you may need additional copper piping. Similarly, some installations require a wall bracket or extra electrical work. But before agreeing to pay, ask the technician why it’s needed and how much it will cost.
If a technician recommends additional copper piping, ask how much is needed and why the piping supplied with the AC isn’t sufficient. If a wall bracket is recommended, check whether the outdoor unit can be safely placed elsewhere. The answer will depend on the installation site, so don’t reject necessary work simply to save money.
You should also compare the quoted rates with the manufacturer’s official price list. Ask for an itemised estimate before work begins and insist on an invoice for the materials and services charged.
Buying an AC during the off-season can help you take advantage of available discounts, but the advertised price shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision. Check the installation terms before purchasing and confirm what the free installation offer actually covers.
If the charges seem unreasonable or don’t match the applicable rates, contact the brand’s customer support before approving the work. Keep the original offer, estimate and invoice if you need to raise a complaint. You can also approach the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 or through its official website.
Read more: Does a bigger AC always cool your room faster: Not always, here’s why
Free standard installation isn’t necessarily a misleading promise. But when exclusions aren’t clear, a deal that looked attractive at the time of purchase can become more expensive than expected. Buyers should know what installation will cost before the technicians arrive, not after the AC has been delivered.