Air Conditioning Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you ever needed to know about air conditioning. Can’t see your question? Send it through and we’ll update our FAQ right away!

Do you provide free site surveys?

Yes. All our quotes and site surveys for new installations are free of charge.
I’ve received a cheaper quote; can you beat it?

On the rare occasion that a competitor has provided a cheaper quote, it is usually because it has not been done on a like-for-like basis. On any comparable quotation, we believe that we will be able to price match. Read this totally independent guide to comparing air conditioning quotes.
Can I lease the system?

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.
How often should I have my Air Conditioner maintained?

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.
Why should I service my air conditioner?

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.
Why is my air conditioner leaking?

There are various 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.

Do you do 'supply only?

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.
Do you provide free site surveys?

Yes. All our quotes and site surveys for new installations are free of charge.
The unit you have recommended is too expensive. Can you give me a discount?

Our pricing is fixed, however, if you have received a cheaper quote we will always try to beat it. We can also quote on non-premium brand equipment which is often as reliable as premium brands. In many cases, the same internal components are used, but the differences are aesthetic only.
I’ve received a cheaper quote; can you beat it?

On the rare occasion that a competitor has provided a cheaper quote, it is usually because it has not been done on a like-for-like basis. On any comparable quotation, we believe that we will be able to price match. Read this totally independent guide to comparing air conditioning quotes.
How do I know that the system you recommend is the best choice?

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.
What is included in your quote?

In most cases, we are to carry out absolutely everything required to complete an installation including all equipment and labour charges. Works to electrical supplies etc. will often need to be conducted before us installing your air conditioning system. We will include (but show separately) any special electrical works required as well as any other works which we cannot undertake. These will be clearly listed on your quotation so you will not have any ‘surprises’.
How can I get a budget quotation or estimate?

The first thing you can do is go to the ‘CoolCulator’ on our website where, after answering a few simple questions, a budget estimate can be obtained. Another option is to simply pick up the phone and call us where one of our experienced sales team will be able to help.

Can you supply temporary portable air conditioners whilst you install our system?

Yes. As well as being the UK’s leading installers, we also have the largest range of portable air conditioning units. If we are carrying out an installation for you, we can provide mobile hire units at a reduced rate.
Who will supervise and manage my installation?

However large or small the project, it will be fully managed by our experienced supervisors or senior engineers. We do not compromise on the quality of supervision, whether we fit one unit or 100 units.
Do we need planning or any other permission before we start?

This is dependent upon the size of the installation and will vary from property to property. For example, in a conservation area, it is necessary to have Local Authority permission. Alternatively, you may require permission from your Landlord if you do not own your property. We always recommend that the Landlord and/or Local Authority is informed of your intention to fit air conditioning and that you receive written authorisation confirming they have no objections. We can assist you by providing drawings and technical details when you apply to your Local Authority or Landlord.
Can work be carried out at weekends, etc.?

We are happy to provide installations during evenings or on weekends. However, the cost would be greater than for an installation during normal working hours. Please let us know if you have any time constraints or restrictions on working hours, and we will advise you accordingly.
How long will my installation take?

This depends on both the complexity and size of the installation; it could vary from a single day to several weeks for larger commercial installations. We will, however, give you an indication of how long the installation will take when we provide you with our quotation. As a rule of thumb, each individual unit takes approximately one to one and a half days to install.
When can you install the system?

When you give us the ‘go ahead’ we order the equipment immediately. In most cases, we can have the units fully installed within two weeks. Please note that as with all weather-related industries, lead times can vary according to demand.

How does evaporative cooling work?

Evaporative cooling systems lower the temperature of enclosed domestic and commercial properties through the evaporation of water molecules that have previously absorbed the heat from the air. To learn more about evaporative cooling click here.
What are the “Best” Air Conditioning Brands?

Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric are acknowledged market leaders and come with our own warranty of up to ten years. However, we will also offer the same level of warranty on Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Gree air conditioners as these units provide an equivalent level of reliability at a lower price. To learn more about air conditioning manufacturers click here.
Can I install an air conditioning unit myself?

To install an air conditioner, you must be a qualified air conditioning engineer with an F-Gas certificate. We are often called out to sites to fix units that have been incorrectly installed. DIY installations or even installations by qualified builders without the necessary expertise in air conditioning invariably end up costing much more in the long run with wasted time and materials.
Which manufacturers do you use for your air conditioners?

We install all the leading brands of air conditioners including Daikin, the Mitsubishi brands, Fujitsu and Gree for which we offer a warranty of up to ten years. We can also install other brands upon request. We do not install cheaper brands because, in our experience, they are not reliable and invariably end up costing our customers more in the long term.
How much of my home will the air conditioner cool?

An air conditioning unit is designed only to cool the room for which it has been specified; leaving inter-leading doors or windows open will reduce its effectiveness.
What temperature will the unit cool the room down to?

Fitted air conditioners are designed to bring the room down to a comfortable temperature. A correctly specified unit should be capable of cooling a room by 8 – 10°C lower than the outside ambient temperature.

Please note that if you are trying to cool a room to low temperatures, then you may require specialist refrigeration equipment rather than air conditioners.
Does my unit need an outside condenser box?

Most fitted systems require an outside condenser box. There are some specialist units that can be used when this is not possible. Ask our expert team about ‘water cooled’ systems or our all-in-one air conditioners.
How loud are the units you supply?

Fitted air conditioners are exceptionally quiet. They generate a soft fan sound that many people are able to sleep through without disturbance.
Is there a risk of Legionnaires disease?

The type of units that we install do not contain standing water and are therefore not at risk of causing Legionnaires disease. We cannot, however, comment in respect of any existing systems you may have in your property.
Will the system comply with all the Health & Safety regulations?

All of our systems comply with Health & Safety regulations as does all documentation that we supply. Our Fitted Air Conditioning department will produce all required Method Statements and Risk Assessments for installations and for any service or repair works for which we have quoted. This documentation would be made available upon receipt of an official order or Letter of Intent to carry out the works.
How durable and reliable is the equipment you install?

We only sell products from brand leaders in the air conditioning field which are expected to last for many years. To maintain this longevity, it is essential that the equipment is subject to routine maintenance and servicing. The market is unfortunately flooded with cheap devices, which has often been ‘dumped’ in the UK – this equipment is inevitably specified in cheaper quotations. We do not deal with these inferior products, nor with ‘budget brand’ equipment as we have found these systems to be unreliable and more expensive in the long term.
Are air conditioning systems expensive to operate and maintain?

The equipment we install makes use of the latest inverter technology and are, accordingly, extremely efficient. The government even offer incentives to install our air conditioners; residential customers only have to pay 5% VAT due to the excellent energy efficiency they offer. Most units we install carry an A++ efficiency rating.
Can my air conditioner provide heating as well as cooling?

Virtually all modern air conditioners provide heating as well as cooling. They are also an extremely efficient and cost-effective means of providing heating. Also, systems that provide heating will qualify for a reduced VAT charge (5% for residential use). This is an ideal scenario when building an extension to a property as there is no need to extend the existing central heating system into the new area.
Can I install the Air Conditioning unit myself?

To install an air conditioner you must be a qualified air conditioning engineer with an F-Gas certificate. We are often called out to sites to fix units that have been incorrectly installed. DIY installations or even installations by qualified builders without the necessary expertise in air conditioning invariably end up costing much more in the long run with wasted time and materials.

Can I lease the system?

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.

How To Clean Your Air Conditioner Filter

You will need to clean the outside of the unit from 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
What kind of maintenance do you provide?

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.
Can I do my own maintenance?

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.
How often should air conditioner filters be replaced / cleaned?

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 regular cleaning.
Even though you didn’t install my system, can you service and repair it?

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.
How often should I have my Air Conditioner maintained?

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.
Once the installation is completed, can you service and maintain the system?

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.
Why should I service my air conditioner?

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.

Do you have any warranties?

All units, parts and workmanship, are covered by a minimum one-year warranty. A guarantee of up to ten years is, however, available on all systems that The Air Conditioning Company installs provided that you have a planned maintenance program in place, and the units are serviced accordingly.
Why is my air conditioner leaking?

There are various 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.

Do All Portable Units Have A Hose?

Simply put, not all portable air conditioning units will have a hose attached; we will look at that in more depth in a moment, but first, let us start with the types of aircon units we can use in our properties for portable use. To learn more click here
Can I Use a Portable Air Conditioner in a Room Without a Window or External Door?

All air conditioners need to exhaust hot air from the room it is trying to cool. The most common exhaust method used on portable units is via a 6 inch (15.2 cm) flexible hose (on more industrial units this can be significantly wider).

In most cases, this hot air is also exhausted along with the excess humidity in the room, so the hose must be vented into the outside atmosphere (e.g. a window or external door).

There are a few exceptions to this rule, some dry exhaust air conditioners can be vented into a suspended (false) ceiling or into a spare room that you don’t mind getting hot. These units have built-in water tanks which allow the units to expel hot, dry air out the hose. You may need to empty the water tank a few times per day.

Here our Recommendations for Dry Exhaust Air Conditioners:

To Hire in Offices
· Gree 3.2kW (11,000 BTU)

To Buy for Server Rooms
· Ex-Hire Airrex HSC-2500 or Ex-Hire Airrex HSC-3500

To Hire for Server Rooms and Shops
· Airrex HSC-2500 6.1kW or Airrex HSC-3500 7.3 kW
Why do portable air conditioners have a hose?

In order for air conditioners need to cool a room, they need to get rid of the excess heat they create.

Air conditioners contain a refrigerant gas that needs to be pumped through a special expansion valve to get exceptionally cold. A powerful compressor is used to achieve this flow of refrigerant gas. The continual use of the compressor creates excess heat, and it’s that heat that needs to be exhausted to the outside atmosphere (through a window or an external door).

The internal compressor gets very hot in the process and this excess heat must be exhausted away. The usual method of exhausting away the hot air is with a hose that needs to go out a window or a door to the outside.

How long have you been in business?

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.
What air conditioning services do you provide?

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.
What warranty and back up do you offer?

On our air conditioning installations, we offer and unrivalled 10-year warranty to all of our customers (5-years in a server room). The first three years of the warranty covers parts and labour. The remaining seven years covers 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.
Who have you installed air conditioning for?

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.
Can I ask a previous client for a reference?

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.
Are your engineers fully certified?

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.

Choose a Category