If air conditioning installation is something you have been thinking about as a way of keeping your home at a comfortable temperature, our guide will explain everything you need to know – including how much it could cost you
Air conditioning installation can seem like a little bit of a complicated topic here in the UK, where units are only really just starting to become more of a common fixtures in homes.
Home air conditioning comes in many guises, from portable units – the installation of which requires little explanation – to fully-installed systems that feature a number of separate components.
Here, we explain what to expect when having an installed unit fitted into your home, as well as how much installation is likely to cost and how it works in exisiting homes, including period properties.
Fitted air conditioning installation
The best portable air conditioning units are a great option for homeowners who want to avoid the disruption of having a unit installed as they require no fitting – as they name suggests, they can simply be moved from room to room as required and are just plugged into an electrical socket.
"Portable units are compact and can be easily ported from room-to-room. They don't require professional installation and after the summer season has ended can be stored away," explains Chris Michael MD and founder of Meaco. "Some models have dual heating functionality so that it can be used in the winter to keep warm."
Installed units, on the other hand, will usually require professional installation and if this is an option that interests you, it will pay to get a good understanding of how they are fitted so that you know what to expect.
"Installed air conditioning units come in two parts. The split system needs to be installed by a registered F-Gas engineer," explains David Hilton, Homebuilding & Renovating's energy efficiency expert.
"A portable system still needs the duct to be run to outside as warm air is discharged," continues David. "The duct is around 150mm diameter. This can be a challenge as it usually requires an open window."
Installing air conditioning in a house can is a tricky job if you're not a registered professional or an air conditioning engineer so you should to seek the help of an expert.
Chris Michael
Chris and his partner Michelle started Meaco in 1991. Meaco is now regarded internationally as a major player in the dehumidifier industry selling to 20+ countries throughout Europe, North America and South Africa. Meaco sets the benchmark for quality and development in its sector, leading by example and reducing the energy consumption of its appliances.
How are split system air conditioning units installed?
Installed air conditioning units known as 'split systems' are the most common option for homeowners. Single split systems tend to be the cheapest option for those worried about air conditioning cost.
Split-system air conditioners tend to be the most common choice for domestic settings. They are made up of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. In addition, there are pipes containing refrigerant and cables that run between the two units. These are commonly concealed within trunking.
Multi split systems still have one outdoor unit, but there can be many indoor units to serve different rooms. These are more expensive and more time consuming to install.
Installation usually involves the engineer fitting an evaporative machine inside, while outside, a condensing unit will be put in place.
Split systems are usually ductless which makes their installation less intrusive and disruptive – all you need to do is set up the internal and external units and connect them with cabling.
"Split systems can sometimes still have ducts on the evaporators (the inside part of the AC unit)," says David Hilton. "That then allows one evaporator to service more than one room."
If you decide on a central – or ducted – air conditioning unit, things will be a little different in terms of installation and these systems are still pretty uncommon in the UK.
These systems have a single indoor unit which will usually be located in the loft or a basement. This unit is ducted out to different rooms of the house where it emits cool air through discreet grilles in the ceiling or walls. Ducting can be run in the walls or ceiling (or both) meaning that installation is far more labour intensive, disruptive and expensive. That said, many homeowners feel that it is worth it due to the sleek and subtle end result of these systems.
David Hilton
With more than 35 years of expertise, David is a seasoned renewables and ventilation installer, recognised for his longstanding contributions to Homebuilding and Renovating magazine. Holding membership in the Gas Safe Register and armed with a Masters degree in Sustainable Architecture, David stands as an authoritative figure in sustainable building and energy efficiency. His extensive knowledge spans building fabrics, heat recovery ventilation, renewables, and conventional heating systems. Additionally, he serves as a distinguished speaker at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show.
Where is the best place to put an AC unit in your house?
One of the first things you will need to decide on is where in your home your indoor unit – or units, the case of multi-split systems – will be located. Your installer will usually talk this through with you.
It is worth noting that most units will need to be attached to a wall and at least 7 feet from the floor. They should also have between 6 and 12 inches of unobstructed space around them in all directions to allow for good airflow.
Installing a split system indoors
The number of people looking at how to prevent overheating in homes is on the rise and if you are one of them, what should you prepare yourself for in terms of air conditioning installation?
Once the location of the indoor units has been decided, your installer will begin by attached a mounting plate to the wall. This is a metal sheet that sits between the unit and the wall to protect either from damage.
Once the metal sheet is in place, using a circular drill, your installer will make a hole of around 3" in diameter for the new cables to pass through. It is normal for whoever is installing the unit to check the internal electrics of the unit before the pipes are run through the new hole and out to the external unit. Finally, the indoor unit can be fixed to the mounting plate.
Installing an outdoor air conditioning unit
As mentioned previously, split system air conditioning units have both indoor and outdoor elements to them.
When it comes to the external condenser unit, you will once again need to decide where to place it before installation can take place - just as you would with a heat pump.
According to the experts at D-Air, the outdoor condenser must be positioned at least 12 inches away from a wall. It also must also be installed near the hole that was drilled earlier. Care should also be taken to ensure the unit will not be within 10 feet of a television or an antenna.
One final note on positioning your outdoor unit – these are basically large fans and they will make noise, so take time to think about where this noise will be best contained.
These outdoor units need to be placed on a solid surface, so a concrete pad will usually be used as a base and ideally, this should be raised off the ground. The outdoor heat exchanger is fixed to the concrete with rubber pads or cushions that should reduce any vibration.
The last step is to check the unit's internal wiring before the cables that rshould now be protruding through the wall are connected with the external machine.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
FAQs
How long does it take to install air conditioning?
Providing you have chosen a qualified installer, this is not a process that should take too long at all. In general, it should take no more than a couple of days – although for more complex jobs timescales could be a little longer.
How much does air conditioning installation cost?
While this will very much depends on the system you are fitting (multi split units, for example, will be more expensive to fit), as well and the individual installer, it is possible to get a rough idea of what to expect.
According to Checkatade, labour costs for a split system tend to come in at between £958 - £1,380.
While the installation of home air conditioning seems to be on the rise, this is not your only option.
Take a look at our round up of the best natural house cooling ideas, which looks at everything from your landscaping scheme to methods of passive cooling.
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Natasha is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Associate Content Editor and has been a member of the team for over two decades. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she has written for a number of homes titles. Over the years Natasha has renovated and carried out a side extension to a Victorian terrace. She is currently living in the rural Edwardian cottage she renovated and extended on a largely DIY basis, living on site for the duration of the project. She is now looking for her next project — something which is proving far harder than she thought it would be.
