Floor-Standing Air Conditioning

A floor-standing air conditioner, sometimes called a floor console, sits on the floor or low on the wall, at about the size of a small radiator. It does the same job as a wall-mounted unit, cooling in summer and heating in winter, but from floor level. In some rooms that makes it the better choice.

How It Works

A floor-standing unit is the indoor half of a split system. Like a wall unit, it connects to an outdoor unit through refrigerant pipes, a cable and a drain. It draws in room air, cools or heats it, and blows it out through an outlet on top. Many models also have a second outlet at the bottom, which sends warm air across the floor in heating mode.

Rooms Where Floor-Standing Units Work Best

• Loft rooms and rooms with sloping ceilings, where there is no high wall for a wall unit. See loft conversion air conditioning.

• Conservatories and garden rooms with low walls and lots of glass.

• Under a window or where a radiator used to be.

• Rooms used mainly for heating, where warm air from floor level feels more comfortable.

• Rooms where you want the unit within easy reach, which makes cleaning the filters simple.

Why Floor-Standing Units Are Good for Heating

Warm air rises. A wall unit blows warm air down from high on the wall, and some of it stays near the ceiling. A floor-standing unit releases warm air at floor level, so it rises through the room and keeps your feet warm. If you plan to use air conditioning as a main source of heat in a room, that is a real advantage.

Read more about air conditioning as a form of heating.

Advantages

• Fits rooms where a wall unit cannot go high enough.

• Comfortable, even heating from floor level.

• Easy to reach for filter cleaning.

• Quiet. The quietest models are rated below 20 dB(A) on their lowest fan setting.

Disadvantages

• It takes up floor or low wall space, about the same as a small radiator.

• Furniture must not block the front or the outlets, which limits where sofas and beds can go.

• In cooling mode, the unit blows air upwards from the top outlet to spread it across the room. In a large room, a high wall unit or a cassette may cool more evenly.

• It usually costs a little more than a wall unit of the same size.

• There are fewer sizes. Most floor-standing units come in sizes from about 2.5 to 5 kW, so very large rooms may need more than one.

Floor-Standing or Wall-Mounted?

For most rooms with a clear, high wall, a wall-mounted unit is the simpler and cheaper option. A floor-standing unit is the better choice where the walls are low or sloping, where heating matters most, or where you simply prefer a unit at floor level. Where there is a ceiling void, a ceiling cassette is another option.

Installation

Installation is much the same as for a wall unit. The pipes usually run straight out through the wall behind the unit, which keeps the run short and neat. The unit can stand on the floor or be fixed to the wall just above it. Most single-room systems are fitted in a day.

What Does It Cost?

As a guide, one room typically starts from around £2,500 installed, and a floor-standing unit usually costs a little more than a wall unit. We give you a clear written quote after a free survey. Our guide to air conditioning costs in the UK explains the main factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a floor-standing unit cool as well as a wall unit?

Yes, when it is the right size for the room. The top outlet directs cool air upwards so it spreads across the room. Our guide to what size air conditioner you need explains sizing.

Can it go under a window?

Yes. Under a window is a common position, as long as curtains and blinds do not cover the outlets.

Do I need planning permission?

Usually not for a house in England, as long as the outdoor unit meets the permitted development limits. Flats, listed buildings and some conservation areas follow different rules. See our planning permission guide.

Call 01772 288651 or use the form below to book a free survey. We will measure the room, recommend the right system and give you a clear written quote.

Last updated: November 2026.