Air Conditioning Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Airconco provides free site surveys, subject to the conditions for your property.

For flats and apartments, we require written confirmation from your managing agent that the proposed installation is permitted before we carry out a free survey. In our experience, around 95% of leases include a restrictive covenant covering this type of work. If you would like a survey before permission has been granted, the current fee is £240 + VAT. This fee is refundable against the installation cost if you proceed with Airconco.

A survey helps us understand your property, assess suitable equipment, and identify any installation requirements that could affect the quotation.

Next step: Find out about our air-conditioning installation service/.

The cost depends on the equipment, number of rooms, cooling and heating requirements, installation complexity, and any additional work needed at your property.

For example, installing a single-room system is generally a different project from installing several units across a large home or commercial building. Electrical upgrades, access requirements, and the position of the outdoor unit can also affect the price.

Airconco can provide a budget estimate through our AC price calculator. A site survey may be needed to confirm the specifications and final quotation.

Yes and no. For commercial entities we are able to recommend leasing options for 3-5 year deals.

Unfortunately, we cannot lease to domestic customers.

Domestic units that are not in constant use and are used for cooling only generally require one service per year. Units that are in offices should be maintained at least twice per year to keep them running at their optimum level. For server rooms, we recommend at least three service visits per annum. For areas with high levels of pollution or contaminants in the air such as kitchens, hairdressers or workshops, additional service visits are carried out.

Regular servicing and maintenance keep your unit running at maximum efficiency, significantly extends the lifetime of a unit and reduces operating costs. In addition, routine maintenance will ensure that the unit qualifies for the full warranty of up to ten years rather than just the standard manufacturer’s one year warranty.

There are several reasons why your system is leaking water.

The condensate that is produced in the coils on the indoor part of your system should fall into a drip tray which is either drained away by gravity or pumped outside.

If excess water is finding its way down your wall then it’s more than safe to assume that much or all of the condensate is not being drained away.

Sometimes the drain hole might clog up with dirt, so the water obviously finds the easiest route to drain away which can’t be anything other than down your wall! However, if the condensate is being drained away with help from a pump, then there is every probability that the pump may have failed and this will obviously need replacing quickly. So often we find that the coils in the system have been so caked up with dirt that it has ended up blocking the unit drainage system.

A leak can be caused by something as simple as a dislodged drainage pipe, making the water drain upwards, which, of course, eventually flows back into the unit and down your wall. In this case, it’s a simple matter of correcting the angle of the drainage pipe.

Finally, and in more serious cases, should the system have leaked a large quantity of refrigerant, this will cause the coils on the indoor unit to “ice up” which will also result in leakage when the ice melts. If you do see ice on the coils, it is vital to switch the unit off immediately and call your air conditioning engineer.

Finally, and I’m sorry to hammer the point home as I have in our other videos, but so many of these problems would not happen if your unit was regularly maintained.

No. We believe that all units should be correctly specified and professionally installed by qualified engineers from a recognised air conditioning company. If we provide 'supply only units, we have no control over their final installation.

Yes, Airconco provides free site surveys, subject to the conditions for your property.

For flats and apartments, we require written confirmation from your managing agent that the proposed installation is permitted before we carry out a free survey. In our experience, around 95% of leases include a restrictive covenant covering this type of work. If you would like a survey before permission has been granted, the current fee is £240 + VAT. This fee is refundable against the installation cost if you proceed with Airconco.

A survey helps us understand your property, assess suitable equipment, and identify any installation requirements that could affect the quotation.

Next step: Find out about our air-conditioning installation service/.

We aim to offer competitive prices and believe that comparable quotations should be assessed on a like-for-like basis.

Before comparing prices, check that each quotation covers the same equipment, cooling capacity, installation work, electrical requirements, warranty, and aftercare. A lower initial price may not include everything needed to complete the installation.

If you have a competing quotation, send us the details, and we'll review what is included.

Next step: Read our guide to comparing air-conditioning quotes.

The cost depends on the equipment, number of rooms, cooling and heating requirements, installation complexity, and any additional work needed at your property.

For example, installing a single-room system is generally a different project from installing several units across a large home or commercial building. Electrical upgrades, access requirements, and the position of the outdoor unit can also affect the price.

Airconco can provide a budget estimate through our AC price calculator. A site survey may be needed to confirm the specifications and final quotation.

Our expert surveyors and engineers have many years experience in the industry. When there are various options or solutions, we provide you with all the information you will need to make an informed decision.

There is no single brand that is best for every property. The right choice depends on your budget, room size, system requirements, preferred features, appearance and warranty.

Airconco supplies and installs systems from Daikin, Gree, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Samsung and Fujitsu. Our team can help you compare suitable options rather than choosing equipment based on the brand name alone.

Airconco also holds specific manufacturer credentials, including Daikin D1+ Premium approved contractor status for split and Sky Air product ranges, Fujitsu approved installer status, and registered distributor and installer status for Gree fitted systems.

Next step: Compare the options in our air-conditioning manufacturer guide.

First, go to the ‘CoolCulator’ on our website, where you can answer a few simple questions to get a budget estimate. Another option is to call us, and one of our experienced sales team members can help.

Yes. Our surveys and written quotations for new fitted air conditioning installations are free of charge. That means you get proper expert advice before you commit, and it gives us the chance to recommend the right system rather than a one-size-fits-all answer. We have been doing this since 1986, so we know a good installation starts with a careful survey and honest advice.

Yes. In many cases, we can give you a very useful ballpark figure before the survey, especially if you can tell us the room size, how the space is used, and what type of property it is. We then confirm everything after the site visit and turn that into a proper written quotation. It is a good way to get a feel for budget early on, while still making sure the final price is based on the right specification.

In most cases, yes. We can often give you a sensible guide price before we visit, but the survey is where we properly measure the room, assess the heat load, check pipe and drain routes, review electrics, and work out the best positions for the indoor and outdoor units. It is the difference between a rough idea and a system that is properly designed. We would always rather specify the right solution than guess, especially when we are backing the installation with a 10-year warranty.

We talk through how you use the room, what matters most to you, and which styles of units are likely to suit the space best. We also assess glazing, ceiling height, access, drainage, electrics, noise, outdoor-unit location, and appearance, so the final design works in the real world and not just on paper. By the end of the visit, you should have a much clearer idea of the best options, the likely costs, and what the installation would involve.

Our quotation is designed to be clear and upfront. In most cases it includes the equipment, standard installation materials, labour, commissioning, and normal handover, with any special items or work outside scope shown separately. That way you can see exactly what is and is not included and compare quotations on a like-for-like basis. We believe transparent quoting is one of the reasons customers trust us with both small domestic jobs and major commercial projects. 

Very often it comes down to the quotation not being like for like. Cheaper quotes can hide undersized equipment, excluded electrical works, lower-grade products, rushed installation methods, or weaker aftercare. The headline figure may look attractive, but it can end up being poor value if the system underperforms or problems appear later. We would always encourage you to compare the detail, the warranty, the equipment brand, and the service behind the price, and not just the cheapest number on the page.

If you have received a comparable quotation elsewhere, send it over, and we will review it properly. If it is genuinely like-for-like, we will always do our best to match it. The important part is making sure it really is comparable in terms of equipment, scope, warranty, and workmanship. We are very competitive, but we will not cut corners just to win a job, because that only stores up problems for the customer later.

You will need to clean the outside of the unit of any dust and frequently check and clean the air conditioning unit’s filter. Ensuring you clean your aircon filter during periods of heavy use and throughout the year will only maximise its performance and efficiency. To learn more about cleaning your Air Conditioning Filter, click here

We provide a comprehensive maintenance service. While many air conditioning companies simply hover your filters and leave, we fully service both the indoor and outdoor units, making sure that they are operating within normal parameters and are running at their full capacity.

Maintenance should always be carried out by a certified air conditioning engineer. It is not a simple case of just cleaning the filters. There are specialist tools required that only expert air conditioning technicians are qualified to use.

Air conditioning filters do not necessarily need to be replaced; they only need to be cleaned. Most filters require cleaning twice a year; however, if the system is heavily used or in dusty areas, the filters may require more frequent cleaning.

We are happy to quote for servicing and repairs to your systems even if we did not originally provide the installation. Please call our service department who can provide an estimate.

Domestic units that are not in constant use and are used for cooling only generally require one service per year. Units that are in offices should be maintained at least twice per year to keep them running at their optimum level. For server rooms, we recommend at least three service visits per annum. For areas with high levels of pollution or contaminants in the air such as kitchens, hairdressers or workshops, additional service visits are carried out.

After we have installed your system, we can offer a full range of backup services ranging from simple telephone support to regular on-site maintenance programs. We will service and repair your equipment for as long as you want regardless of whether it is still under warranty or not.

Regular servicing and maintenance keep your unit running at maximum efficiency, significantly extends the lifetime of a unit and reduces operating costs. In addition, routine maintenance will ensure that the unit qualifies for the full warranty of up to ten years rather than just the standard manufacturer’s one year warranty.

Maintenance is planned preventative care designed to keep a system clean, efficient, and reliable. Repair is what you need when something has already failed, stopped working properly, or is showing a clear fault. In other words, maintenance prevents problems, and repair fixes them once they occur. The two are closely linked, and we recommend regular servicing because it helps reduce the number of repair call-outs later on.

Regular servicing helps your air conditioning run more efficiently, last longer, smell fresher, and break down less often. It also helps keep running costs under control and is usually needed if you want warranty cover to remain valid. Many avoidable faults start with dirt, blocked drainage, neglected filters, or poor airflow, so maintenance is not an optional extra if you want the system to perform properly. A good service usually costs far less than a breakdown.

For most home systems, once a year is the sensible minimum. If the unit gets heavy summer use, runs in heating mode through winter, or sits in a dusty environment, twice a year can be even better. The ideal timing is usually before the hot weather starts, so the system is clean and ready when you need it. Preventative servicing is always better than finding out there is a problem on the first really warm day of the year.

For offices, six-monthly servicing is a common and sensible standard. Commercial systems tend to run for longer hours, serve more people, and work harder than domestic units, so they benefit from more regular attention. In busier or more critical environments, quarterly visits may be the right answer. We can advise on the most suitable schedule, but the key point is that offices usually need a more structured maintenance plan than a lightly used home system.

Server room air conditioning should be serviced at least twice a year, and in many critical environments quarterly maintenance is the safer choice. These systems often run hard, run continuously, and protect equipment that simply cannot be allowed to overheat. Because the cost of downtime can be far greater than the cost of servicing, server room maintenance is one of the easiest areas to justify proper preventative care. We would always rather catch a weakness early than deal with a failure in an emergency.

Yes, very often they do. Kitchens, salons, workshops, gyms, and other high-load or contaminated environments tend to put more strain on an air conditioning system because of grease, dust, aerosols, moisture, or long operating hours. Filters and coils can become dirty much faster, which affects efficiency and reliability. In those kinds of spaces, a standard annual service may simply not be enough. We can set up a more suitable schedule so the system keeps performing as it should.

A proper maintenance visit should be much more than a quick wipe-over. We check and clean filters, coils, fans, condensate trays and drains, pumps where fitted, electrical connections, operating temperatures, and general performance. We also inspect the outdoor unit, because that is just as important as the indoor one. The aim is to leave the system cleaner, safer, and running within normal parameters - and to spot wear early before it becomes a breakdown.

In most cases, yes. Maintenance contracts are usually cheaper overall than repeated one-off services, and they also make life easier because visits are scheduled instead of being forgotten until something goes wrong. Contracts are particularly useful for businesses, landlords, and anyone with multiple systems to look after. They help with budgeting, warranty compliance, and record keeping too. A planned approach nearly always works out better than a reactive one, both technically and financially.

Yes. We are very happy to maintain systems that were installed by other companies. In many cases the first visit gives us the chance to assess the condition of the equipment, note any existing faults, and then put the system onto a sensible service schedule from there. Plenty of our maintenance clients originally came to us because they were unhappy with their previous provider. Good maintenance is about the standard of the service now, not who fitted the system years ago.

Yes. Regular servicing is usually a condition of ongoing warranty cover, especially if you are relying on an enhanced warranty rather than a basic manufacturer position. Maintenance helps show that the system has been looked after properly and that avoidable damage has not been caused by neglect. It is one of the reasons we are so strong on maintenance after installation. A 10-year warranty only has real value when the system is serviced in line with the required terms.

Typical signs include weaker airflow, stale smells, reduced cooling or heating, higher running costs, unusual noises, icing, water leaks, or a room taking much longer to reach temperature than it used to. Sometimes the change is gradual, which is why systems are often overdue a service before the customer realises it. If the unit just does not feel as fresh, quiet, or effective as it once did, that is usually a good sign it wants professional attention.

Absolutely. Dirty filters make it harder for the system to move air, which reduces performance, increases energy use, and can contribute to icing, poor comfort, and wear on components. It is one of the simplest issues on paper, but one of the biggest causes of poor performance in real life. A system that cannot breathe properly cannot work properly. That is why even between professional visits, keeping an eye on filter condition is well worth doing.

We have been proudly installing air conditioning since 1986. Having been in the business for almost 30 years we have a wealth of experience behind us. 

We provide a full range of air conditioning services including initial site surveys, installations, maintenance visits and repairs. We also hire and sell a broad range of Portable Air Conditioners in London.

On our air conditioning installations, we offer an unrivalled 10-year warranty to all of our customers (5 years in a server room). The first three years of the warranty cover parts and labour. The remaining seven years cover you for the full cost of the spare parts. The warranty is subject to the unit being regularly serviced by our engineers. We recommend one service per year for our domestic customers and two services a year for businesses. Unlike many ‘man in a van’ operatives who aren’t around to offer backup and support, we have been in the market for many years and have the track record to prove it.

We have installed air conditioners for most of the biggest and best-known companies in the UK. Check out our client list to see just some of the companies we’ve worked with. When you choose the Air Conditioning Company, you are assured the highest quality at the keenest of prices.

Absolutely!

We carry out countless installations throughout London and the Home Counties and our customers are always happy to give a glowing reference. If you would like to be put in contact with one of our previous clients, please feel free to ask.

It is also a great idea to check out our ever-growing list of happy customers on TrustPilot.

All our engineers are fully qualified and have FGAS certificates (which means that they can legally handle refrigerant gas). They also attend specialist courses provided by the major air conditioning manufacturers so they are always up to date on the latest practices. To view our certificates – click here.

We are The Air Conditioning Company, also known as Airconco. We have been trading since 1986 and specialise in fitted air conditioning installation, maintenance, and repair, as well as portable air conditioning hire and sales. Over the years, we have built our reputation on quality equipment, competitive pricing, and genuinely helpful service. People come to us for expert advice, but they stay with us because we are still there when they need support later.

We provide the full core service around fitted air conditioning: installation, maintenance, and repair. Alongside that, we also hire portable air conditioners in London and sell portable units across mainland Britain. That means we can help whether you need a permanent fitted system, emergency temporary cooling, ongoing servicing, or a repair to equipment another company installed. Having all of that under one roof makes life much easier for customers.

For fitted air conditioning, our engineers operate throughout London and the surrounding area, including the Home Counties. For portable air conditioning, our hire service is focused on London, while portable sales are available across mainland Britain. If you are not sure whether you fall within our coverage, just ask. We would rather answer that clearly at the start than waste your time.

Yes, absolutely. We work for homeowners, landlords, offices, retailers, schools, healthcare environments, restaurants, and many other commercial and specialist clients. Some jobs are single bedrooms or garden offices, while others are much larger multi-room or commercial projects. We treat both ends of the scale seriously. A one-room installation still deserves the same care and professionalism as a bigger contract.

A few things really set us apart. We have been trading since 1986; we offer a free survey for new fitted installations; we only install equipment from manufacturers we trust, and we back our installations with a 10-year warranty. We also handle maintenance, repairs, portable hire, and portable sales, so customers are not forced to juggle multiple suppliers. In short, we are not just selling a unit - we are providing a service that is designed to last.

Yes. We regularly service and repair systems that were installed by other companies. Many customers first contact us because they are unhappy with the level of support they are getting elsewhere, and we are very happy to step in. Our focus is on whether the system can be maintained or repaired properly now, not on who originally fitted it. If we can help, we will. If replacement is the better route, we will say so honestly.

On our fitted installations we offer a 10-year warranty, subject to the system being serviced in line with the warranty terms. That is a major part of our offering and something very few installers are willing to stand behind. A long warranty only works when the equipment is good and the installation is done properly, which is why we stick to trusted manufacturers and experienced engineers. We believe customers should have confidence long after the installation day itself.

Yes. We have our own fully functional showroom, which is unusual in this industry and very useful for customers who want to see the different types of fitted air conditioning before making a decision. Seeing equipment in person often makes it much easier to understand the differences between wall-mounted, cassette, ducted, floor-mounted, and other options. It is another way we try to make choosing a system feel more informed and less like guesswork.

Yes, they are very welcome. Our showroom can be a real help for architects, interior designers, project managers, and other decision-makers who want to understand the equipment options and how different systems might sit within a space. It often leads to better early decisions on design, coordination, and aesthetics. We are always happy to talk through the practical side as well, because good planning at the front end usually makes the whole project smoother.

Yes, we often can. If you tell us about the room size, the type of property, and what you are trying to achieve, we can usually give you a sensible guide price before the survey. The survey then confirms the detail and turns that into a proper written quotation. It is a useful first step for budgeting, but we never pretend a phone estimate is the same as a final design. Accuracy comes from seeing the site properly.

For commercial clients, yes - we can often point you towards leasing options, typically over three to five years. That can be a useful way for businesses to spread the cost of a project while still getting the right equipment installed from the outset. Leasing is generally not available for domestic customers, but if you are a business and want to explore funding options, let us know and we can talk you through the practical route.

No. We do not offer supply-only on fitted air conditioning because proper results depend on correct design, installation, commissioning, and aftercare. Selling equipment on its own may sound simpler, but it removes too much control over the quality of the outcome. We would rather take responsibility for the whole job and know it has been done properly. That is also how we are able to stand behind our work with a meaningful warranty.

Yes. While permissions and approvals remain the client's responsibility, we can usually provide technical information, equipment details, and drawings to support applications to landlords, managing agents, or other approving parties. That is often very helpful in flats, leasehold buildings, and other properties where external units or drainage arrangements need to be explained clearly. We deal with these conversations regularly, so we can usually make them much easier.

Yes, very much so. We are just as happy helping with a single bedroom, loft room, or small office as we are with a larger commercial project. Smaller jobs still deserve proper design and professional installation, and many of our long-term clients started with one modest room before coming back to us for more. We do not treat smaller enquiries as a nuisance - they are a core part of what we do.