How much does it cost to install an ice maker?

Imagine being able to add ice to your drink on a hot day without having to deal with fiddly ice trays that take up all your freezer space. If that sounds like bliss to you, read on to discover the typical cost to install an ice maker.

How much does it cost to install an ice maker?

The cost to install an ice maker will vary based on a number of factors. These include:

• Type of ice maker: Most people have their ice maker built into their fridge freezer, but you can also get dedicated ice makers (also known as ice machines) that are either built-in or portable.
• Location of the ice maker: The distance between your ice maker and your kitchen sink will determine how long the water line needs to be. If your ice maker is integrated into your fridge freezer, there’ll also need to be room for a mini stop top, water filter and pressure limiting valve. These could either be installed behind the fridge or in a cupboard next to it.
• Price of the ice maker: You’ll need to factor in the cost of the fridge freezer or ice machine itself. These can range in price hugely depending on things like size, make and quality.
• Plumber’s hourly rate: You’ll need a plumber to install the ice maker for you. Your plumber’s hourly rate is likely to vary based on your location and your plumber’s experience.

How much does it cost to install an ice maker water line?

Nearly all ice makers will require a water line. If your ice maker is built into your fridge freezer, you’ll need to get a water line to it in order for this component to work. That way, you’ll be able to get a supply of fresh water for the ice cubes.

The average cost to run a typical water line to an ice maker is between £60 – £120. This is assuming that your plumber’s hourly rate is around £40 – £60 per hour.

You can get fridge freezers with ice makers that don’t need to be plumbed in, which would save you the cost of installing a water line. However, this would mean you’d have to manually fill the tank, which isn’t ideal.

What’s the average cost to install a commercial ice machine?

When it comes to installing a commercial ice machine, costs will usually be much higher. You can expect to pay anywhere from £1,000 – £7,000 for the ice machine itself, and then between £70 – £250 for delivery and installation. However, this will depend on the type of machine and its size.

Modular vs self-contained ice machines

Self-contained ice machines produce ice and store it within the same unit. On the other hand, modular ice machines require separate storage bins to store the ice in. This means that modular ice machines can produce more ice than self-contained ones, but they do come at a higher price.

You can expect to pay between £1,000 – £3,500 for a self-contained machine, or between £2,000 – £5,500 for a modular machine with the storage bin included.

Water-cooled vs air-cooled ice machines

Water-cooled ice machines are quieter and more efficient than air-cooled ones. Air-cooled ice machines tend to be noisy thanks to the way they cool the ice.

An air-cooled machine will typically cost between £1,500 – £4,500, whereas a water-cooled machine could cost anywhere from £2,000 – £7,000. Although water-cooled machines are more expensive, they tend to use less energy, which means they could save you money in the long run.

Key takeaways

• Most domestic ice makers are integrated into a fridge freezer.
• The majority of ice makers will need connecting to a water line by a plumber.
• Commercial ice machines vary in price depending on the size and type of machine.