Portable, DIY or Easy-Fit System?
Whichever product you choose, it will require some form of installation. Below you can find all the details required for product installations in domestic environments.
Portable Air Conditioning Units
This type of air conditioning product is the most straight forward and easiest of all systems to install, with a simple plug and play operation.
Install Details
Can I install the unit myself?
Can I install the unit myself?
YES! Portable air conditioning units require no special tools or equipment to install and come with all the required attachments for fitment.
Installation couldn't be simpler! All that is required is to remove the unit from the box (most boxes simply lift off to make this ever easier), connect the supplied extract hose to the rear of the unit and place the other end outside of an open window or door, then plug the power cable attached to the unit into a standard power outlet, switch the unit on and enjoy the results of the freshly conditioned air.
Water (Condensate) Drainage
Does the unit require water to be drained away manually?
Does the unit require water to be drained away manually?
Not usually...
Most modern portable air conditioning units no longer require the water created during cooling operation to be manually drained away. The condensate generated when operating in cooling mode is converted into vapour inside the machine and extracted with the hot air out of the units attached extract hose.
If you are using your unit for heating in the cooler months, you may need to drain away water or empty a tank, as it is not possible to vapourise the water when used in heating mode
Does the unit require a connection to a water supply for input or drainage?
Does the unit require a connection to a water supply for input or drainage?
No, standard air conditioning systems don't require a connection to any intake of water.
They will generate condensate (water) during operation but almost all modern portable units will discharge this water as vapour through the extract air hose.
Pipes
What type of pipework is required?
What type of pipework is required?
Portable air conditioning units come supplied with an extract hose from the manufacturer, which must be attached to the unit at one end and the other positioned outside, to expel for air and water vapour.
Some manufacturers will also supply a window fitting kit for the pipe to attach to and you can also purchase universal window kits from various places online
Electrics
What kind of power supply is required?
What kind of power supply is required?
All portable air conditioning units for the domestic market will be supplied with a 3 pin plug, suitable to plug into a standard UK plug socket
DIY Air Conditioning Units
The ideal product for people who desire air conditioning but like to get invloved with home improvement projects themselves. These units can be fully installed by anyone with the skills to do so, without the requirement of employing an F-GAS registered installer.
Install Details
Can I install the unit myself?
Can I install the unit myself?
Absolutely! As long as you have the skills and ability to use hand and power tools, the products in the DIY category can be installed by anyone. The products are a monobloc desgin, so there is no need to interfere with the refrigeration system while installing these units.
Contained within the box that the unit arrives in, should be all the required parts for the installation (not including the tools).
Most manufacturers will include:
- The cooling unit
- 2x flat sheets of plastic (to be rolled into ducting tubes)
- A short section of condensate drain hose
- A bracket to attach to the wall/unit (with a template attached)
- User and Installation manual(s)
- Remote control
Simply apply the template to the wall and mark the locations for the holes to be drilled. Drill the holes through the wall, then attach the bracket to the wall and fit ducting and drain tubes. Mount the unit onto the bracket, plug the unit into a power supply and enjoy the result of your hard work
(See manufacturers installation manual for FULL details for correct installation)
Water (Condensate) Drainage
Does the unit require water to be drained away manually?
Does the unit require water to be drained away manually?
No. A correctly installed DIY air conditioning unit will have a condensate drain hose connected to the rear of the unit to remove unwanted water generated during operation.
Does the unit require a water connection?
Does the unit require a water connection?
No (not unless you choose one of the few water-cooled or H20 models).
The condensate that will be generated from the operation of the unit, will be drained away by the hose supplied and attached to the back of the unit, which should have been installed when the unit was originally installed.
This will require a small hole to be drilled through the wall (unlike the 2 large ducting holes) which will drain the condensate outside of the property.
If fitted correctly, there should be no chance of water leaking into the property from the unit
Pipes
What type of pipework is required?
What type of pipework is required?
To correctly install a DIY air conditioning unit, you will need to use 1 small pipe (to drain away the water condensate) and 2 larger tubes (to bring cool air into the unit and to take hot air away from the unit)
Electrics
What kind of power supply is required?
What kind of power supply is required?
Most monobloc units within the DIY classification will come with a 3 core electrical cable attached internally. This is usually supplied with a pre-attached 3-pin plug for use in the UK, which can simply be plugged into a standard power supply socket.
Should the manufacturer have not included the the attachment of a plug, you may need to employ the services of a qualified electrician to supply power to your unit (often by a fused spur), see manufacturers installation manual for further specific information
Easy-Fit Air Conditioning Systems
This is a selection of split type air conditioning systems that come supplied with a pipework kit for easy installation.
Install Details
Can I install the system myself?
Can I install the system myself?
As the systems within the Easy-Fit category are split-type air conditioning systems, they will still require the services of an F-GAS registered engineer.
However, the benefit of these systems is the fact they are supplied with the necassary accessoires to complete an installation, including:
- Refrigerant pipework
- Electrical cable
- Condensate drain hose
The system will also be pre-charged with enough refrigerant to function when used with the pipe length supplied with the system.
These systems can be part-installed in a DIY fashion, as long as the final part of the installation and a commissioning service is carried by an F-GAS registered engineer. If you need assistance to locate an engineer to carry out a commissioning service on a system, please get in touch so we can refer you to an engineer within our network
Water (Condensate) Drainage
Does the system require water to be drained away manually?
Does the system require water to be drained away manually?
No, a correctly installed air conditioning system will have a hose or pipe attached to the indoor unit (sometimes also the outdoor unit, depending on the location it is installed) to drain away the condensate.
Occasionally with split-type air conditioning systems, depending on the location of the indoor unit you may also need to have a condensate drain pump fitted. This is often required if the installation location of the indoor unit is not directly upon an exterior wall, so the condensate cannot drain away with the use of gravity.
Does the system require a water connection?
Does the system require a water connection?
No. Just like the majoirty of split systems avaialble, Easy-Fit air conditioning systems do not require any type of connection to a water supply.
Pipes
What type of pipework is required?
What type of pipework is required?
The systems supplied within the Easy-Fit air conditioning range come with a kit of pipework, which is cut to a predetermined length by the manufacturer and supplied with flared ends and joining unions pre-fitted.
To correctly install a split type air conditioning system, you will have to use 2 (or much larger systems may require 3) refrigeration pipes.
These are most commonly manufacured using copper and then covered in a protective foam lagging to supply insulation and aid the correct operation of the system.
We also supply a range of pipework which is easier to work with and harder to kink, know as Flexpipe, which you may find easier to use when doing a partly DIY installation
Electrics
What type of power supply is required?
What type of power supply is required?
Easy-Fit air conditioning systems require a power supply to the outdoor unit, which is then connected (and supplies power) to the indoor unit.
The cable used to supply the electrical power often connects to a rotary isolator (which is usually positioned within 1 metre of the outdoor condensor unit for safety reasons), then the rotary isolator is connected to the outdoor unit directly, supplying a safe source of electricity.
Depending on the size of the system you have selected, you may need to have a new electrical circuit installed within your property by a certified electrician. The majority of F-GAS registered engineers are not also electricians, so it is worth checking with the engineer you will be using to carry out your commissioning service if they can assist you or if you will need to employ the services of an extra trades person.
If you look at the technical data sheet for the system you desire, you will be able to find the correct electrical details required to power the system.