Domestic air conditioning and cooling system installation
Air Conditioning Installation
Air conditioning installation covers fitting domestic split or multi-split cooling systems, including the indoor and outdoor units, refrigerant pipework and electrical connection, carried out by F-Gas certified engineers as required by law for refrigerant handling.
Definition
What air conditioning involves
Domestic air conditioning most commonly uses split systems (one outdoor condenser unit connected to one or more indoor units) to cool individual rooms or, with multi-split systems, several rooms from one outdoor unit. Installation involves mounting units, running refrigerant pipework and drainage, and electrical connection, followed by commissioning and refrigerant certification.
Suitable for
- Homes wanting cooling for bedrooms, home offices or south-facing rooms prone to overheating
- New extensions or loft conversions with limited passive cooling
- Replacing an ageing or inefficient existing system
Not suitable for
- Whole-house ducted systems in properties without existing ductwork, which involve significantly more building work than a split system — we advise on feasibility case by case
- Listed buildings where external condenser unit positioning may need specific planning consideration
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Assessment
Assessing room size, insulation and orientation to size the system correctly.
- 02
Specification
Agreeing indoor and outdoor unit positions and system type — single or multi-split.
- 03
Installation
Mounting units, running refrigerant pipework and condensate drainage, and electrical connection.
- 04
Commissioning
Pressure testing, refrigerant charging and system commissioning to manufacturer specification.
- 05
Handover
Explaining controls and providing warranty and F-Gas certification documentation.
Typical timescale
A single-room split system is typically installed within a day; multi-split systems covering several rooms take longer depending on pipe runs and access.
Cost guidance
Cost depends on system size, number of indoor units and pipe run complexity. An itemised quotation follows a site assessment rather than a generic per-unit estimate.
Limitations and exclusions
- Refrigerant handling is carried out only by F-Gas certified engineers, in line with legal requirements
- Planning permission may apply to external condenser unit positioning in some conservation areas or on listed buildings, which we check where relevant
- Electrical supply upgrades, where needed for larger systems, are scoped and priced separately
Areas we cover
Air Conditioning across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for air conditioning in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Air Conditioning FAQs
Do I need planning permission for air conditioning?
Most domestic split system installations fall under permitted development, but conservation areas, listed buildings and flats can have specific restrictions on external unit positioning. We check the position for your property before installation.
How noisy are modern air conditioning units?
Modern outdoor condenser units are considerably quieter than older systems, though positioning still matters for noise near boundaries or bedroom windows — we advise on placement during the assessment.
Discuss your air conditioning project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-19.