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!

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  • 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 their 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. Learn more about air conditioning manufacturers.

  • 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.

  • 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 is, accordingly, extremely efficient. The government even offers 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.

  • How do you decide what size unit I need?

    We do not size a system on room dimensions alone. We also consider glazing, ceiling height, solar gain, occupancy, equipment, lighting, insulation, room usage, and whether doors are left open, so the unit is selected based on the real heat load rather than guesswork. Correct sizing matters a lot: an undersized system struggles, and an oversized one can be wasteful or uncomfortable. That is exactly why our survey process is so detailed.

  • What type of unit is usually best for a bedroom?

    A wall-mounted split system is usually the most practical choice for a bedroom. It is often the easiest option to retrofit; modern premium models are very quiet, and you get reliable cooling and heating without dominating the room. If aesthetics or layout are especially important, we may also discuss ducted or low-wall options. The main thing is choosing the right model and position, because a well-designed bedroom system should be comfortable, quiet, and easy to live with.

  • What type of unit is usually best for a loft conversion?

    Low-wall units are often a very good answer in loft conversions because sloping ceilings can make high-wall units awkward. They sit lower on the wall, can solve layout problems that come with loft rooms, and often work well where knee walls or awkward ceiling lines limit your options. In some lofts, a wall-mounted unit still works, but the right answer depends on the shape of the room, furniture layout, and where pipework and drainage can sensibly run.

  • What type of unit is usually best for offices and shops with suspended ceilings?

    Ceiling cassette systems are often a strong option in offices and shops with suspended ceilings. They sit neatly within the ceiling void, keep the room looking tidy, and can distribute air evenly across open commercial spaces. In some layouts, a ducted system may be even better if you want the most discreet finish. During the survey, we will look at ceiling depth, lighting, structural constraints, and how the space is actually used before recommending the right approach.

  • What type of unit works when wall and ceiling space are limited?

    That is where floor-mounted or low-wall systems can really come into their own. They are particularly useful where there is no sensible high-level wall position or where ceiling installation is not practical. In some properties, a no-outside-box system may also be worth discussing if the real issue is external unit location rather than indoor space. Good design is about working with the room you actually have, not trying to force a standard answer into an awkward layout.

  • What type of unit is best if I want the quietest and most discreet result?

    If the quietest and most discreet result is the priority, ducted air conditioning is often the best answer. The working parts are largely hidden away and, from inside the room, you mainly see subtle grilles rather than a full indoor unit. That said, some premium wall-mounted and low-wall systems are also very quiet when chosen and positioned well. We will always balance noise, appearance, budget, and practicality rather than pushing one type of unit onto every job.

  • What if I cannot have an outside condenser box?

    That is exactly the kind of situation where a no-outside-box or water-cooled system can make sense. These systems keep the equipment inside the property and are often useful in listed buildings, flats, or locations where an external condenser is not possible. They are usually a more specialist solution and not always the cheapest to run, but when a traditional split system is not viable they can be an excellent answer. We will only recommend them where they genuinely suit the job.