As summer temperatures escalate, residents in Serbia are confronted not only with soaring heat but also with rising costs associated with the installation of air conditioning units.

Reports indicate that installation fees for standard systems up to 12,000 BTU in major cities like Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš range from 8,000 to 13,000 Serbian dinars, influenced by factors such as installation length, additional tubing, supports, and materials used.

Additional costs are significant.

Consumers are often charged between 2,000 to 2,400 dinars for every extra meter of installation required, while the dismantling of an existing unit may incur further charges ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 dinars.

One consumer from Kragujevac detailed her experience: after purchasing a new air conditioning unit for 35,000 dinars, she was quoted 12,000 dinars for installation alone, excluding the removal of her old unit.

Frustration among consumers is prevalent, with many expressing their discontent on social media and consumer platforms, describing the situation as exploitative and lamenting the long wait times combined with high expenses.

Experts in the cooling systems industry indicate that these price surges are a natural outcome of supply and demand dynamics intensified by the summer season when many seek immediate solutions.

The complexity of the installation process further contributes to costs.

Technicians emphasize that air conditioning installation involves more than simply mounting a unit on the wall; it requires proper installation of piping, vacuuming of the system, leak checks, refrigerant refills, and often work performed at heights.

As the summer peak approaches, service providers tend to operate at maximum capacity, allowing them to dictate pricing.

For consumers looking to manage their expenses, experts recommend planning installations outside of the peak season, ideally in March or October when competition is greater and prices lower.

Moreover, potential buyers are encouraged to seek multiple quotes before making commitments, ensuring they fully understand what is included in the installation fee, such as support brackets, wiring, wall drilling, system vacuuming, and operational testing.

The mounting installation costs have led to a perception among consumers, especially those on tight budgets, that they are being taken advantage of during this high-demand period.

The need for cooling solutions has become almost essential, yet many find the associated service costs to be prohibitively expensive, prompting careful consideration of financial planning in the face of urgent needs.