I got my Panasonic 1.5 Ton 5-Star (2026 model) AC installed today. I had seen a Reddit post where someone paid ₹7000+ for installation, so I planned things in advance and kept my total cost under ₹2500. Here’s exactly what I did.
Things to buy beforehand:
- Water outlet pipe:
Installers may charge ~₹32/ft if they provide it. Even if you bring your own, they can still charge ~₹10/ft just for installation.
In my case, installation alone cost ₹360 since the pipe had to be routed properly from the 3rd floor to outside. The work was done neatly, so acceptable.
- 16A 3-pin plug:
Not always included. Buy it in advance to avoid inflated pricing during installation.
- White cement:
Used for sealing holes. Installers may charge extra if they bring it, so better to have your own.
Key cost-saving decisions:
- Keep the outdoor unit close to the indoor unit:
Extra copper pipe is expensive. Minimizing distance avoids major additional cost.
- Be aware of taping charges:
Outer wire taping can cost ~₹22/ft.
- Extra wiring:
Any additional wire required will be charged separately.
Summary insight:
Most high installation bills come from add-ons like copper pipe, wiring, and accessories. If you plan these in advance and control the layout (especially indoor–outdoor distance), you can reduce costs significantly.
I’ve attached my invoice and a comparison example for reference.