As a company Cool Electrics install Air Conditioning systems into finished homes - a retrofit installation and into homes that are undergoing building works.
We work directly for homeowners, main contractors, and architects.
There are several considerations when planning an Air Conditioning installation and this post is aimed at providing useful information in planning an installation.
There are some differences depending on whether the installation is being undertaken with building works or as a retrofit and we will highlight these as we look at each point.
System design
Internal unit location
Concealed or wall mount
External unit
Refrigerant pipework
Condensate
Building Works v Retrofit
If we undertake an installation in conjunction with building works, we will break our time on site into two main site visits, a first fix which entails making all the required routes and installing the refrigerant pipework, condensate drainage and electrical cables and a second fix which consists of installing the internal and external air conditioning units, connecting them together and commissioning the system.
If it is a retrofit installation, we will complete the work in one visit with final redecoration being completed a week after the system has been commissioned and tested.
System Design
We offer all our clients a free site survey. Here you can discuss your plans and vision with a Senior Engineer. They in turn will offer a professional opinion and offer possibilities and solutions.
If the installation is for a retrofit we will measure rooms, consider their location within the building and additional factors such as solar gain. In the case of an extension being built we will take the information we need from architect’s drawings. From this we have a broad understanding of how many internal and external units will be required leading to a decision on unit locations.
A detailed quote is produced specifying the system which will offer optimal heating and cooling for the room in question, where your units will be located, pipe runs, a selection of unit styles with features and dimensions.
Internal Unit Location
The most straightforward air conditioning installation for an installer is referred to as a back-to-back installation. In this setup, the indoor unit is placed on the interior side of an exterior wall, while the condenser is positioned just outside, in close proximity.
Internal units are rarely on external walls and pipework needs to be routed to the external wall. In this scenario the choice is either to route the pipework within trunking on the wall surface or embed the pipework within the walls, floor or ceiling of the property.
Trunking pipework internally provides installers with a known route and a straightforward installation method but leaves homes with unsightly trunking mounted on walls. This method also restricts the placement of the internal unit as installers will try to minimise the trunking used.
Routing pipework within walls creates an additional level of complexity to install but provides the best possible visual finish and the most flexibility to the location of the internal unit. This could require walls to be channelled, possibly ceilings to be channelled or floors to be lifted with redecoration after the pipework has been installed
At Cool Electrics we carry out this work from start to finish undertaking all minor works and redecorating at the end of the installation.
Concealed or Wall mount
Wall mounted units are compact, highly efficient, quiet, very accessible for maintenance and provide the most cost-efficient way to cool a room when installing Air Conditioning. They come in a variety of styles and colours and compact dimensions however there is the option to consider concealing the internal unit and deliver the cool air via ducting. This can provide a more discrete and minimalistic installation however this type of installation does raise the price significantly and although all you see is a grille or diffuser in the room the equipment behind this takes up more room than a wall mounted unit. Careful consideration needs to be given to the design of a concealed or ducted system to minimise noise from air flow and still provide the required cooling.
At Cool Electrics we install both wall mounts and concealed systems and they can be mixed in the same system. We provide expert design services to ensure a concealed system delivers exceptional results for your project.
External Unit
The placement of the external unit is crucial and must account for various factors. These include ensuring safe access for future maintenance, good airflow around the unit, reducing visual impact, adhering to planning regulations, and avoiding disturbance to neighbours.
The unit can be mounted on a bracket attached to a wall or on anti-vibration rubber feet so it can sit directly on a roof surface without transmitting any vibration or causing damage to the roof.
For installation completed during a build there is often more flexibility where the external unit can be located. For instance, if you are building a loft extension an opening roof light can be installed to allow safe access to the unit, and it can safely be located on the roof allowing for safe access but also future maintenance and potential repair.
Consideration should be given to including the external unit in any submitted planning applications.
Refrigerant Pipework
Pipework often must be routed externally and there is choice for it to be run bare or to be trunked. Running the pipework bare is quicker and easier but can be visually untidy. When pipework is run horizontally it is often pecked by animals leaving the copper pipework uninsulated and reducing the efficiency of the unit.
It can be challenging to trunk all pipework so often a mix of trunking and pipework run bare in a discrete location if often required.
Condensate
When the internal units are in cooling mode, they produce water known as condensate, this is where the air is cooled by passing over the internal unit’s coils and water droplets form dripping into the internal drip tray. When a unit is cooling a steady trickle of water will be produced. The drainage point from a unit is at its lowest point. From an installation perspective there is a choice to find a route to enable the condensate to flow under gravity or to install a condensate pump that can pump the condensate upwards and out.
Creating a gravity-based solution is often more time consuming but has the advantages of providing a silent solution for condensate removal and a very reliable solution – gravity doesn’t break very often!
Using a condensate pump can overcome the need to create an additional route but will create frequent noise whilst pumping condensate away and can break down taking your internal unit out of action. In the worst-case scenario water can overflow from your unit and cause damage to your home.
At Cool Electrics we always implement a gravity-based solution so you can benefit from the most reliable and silent solution.
Summary
In summary, when planning and executing the installation of your air conditioning system, it is essential to carefully consider both the internal and external components. Utilising a gravity-based solution for condensate removal ensures a quieter and more reliable operation. Thoughtful routing and trunking of refrigerant pipework can enhance the aesthetic and functional aspects of the installation while preventing damage and maintaining efficiency. The strategic placement of the external unit is important, ensuring ease of maintenance, optimal performance, and compliance with planning regulations. At Cool Electrics we will help to address these factors comprehensively, helping you to achieve a well-integrated and efficient air conditioning system that meets your needs and minimises potential issues.