It used to be that air conditioning was something you only ever saw in offices or shops. You’d walk in from a sticky London pavement and feel that blast of cold air and wish you had it at home but things have changed lately. Our summers are getting hotter and the old way of just opening a window doesn’t really cut it when it is thirty degrees outside. If you are looking into a split AC UK system for your house or flat then you have probably realised there is a lot of information to get through.
At Air Conditioning Direct we spend a lot of time talking to homeowners who are tired of sleepless nights. They want something that works but doesn’t look like a massive industrial machine stuck to the wall. That is where modern wall-mounted systems come in. They are quiet and they look much better than they used to.
Finding the right split AC UK setup for your home
A split system is called that because it is split into two parts. You have the unit inside that blows the cold air and a condenser unit that sits outside. They are connected by small pipes so you don’t need huge ducts running through your ceiling. This makes them much easier to install in older British houses where space is tight.
When you start looking for a split AC UK solution you need to think about how many rooms you actually want to cool. A single split is just one indoor unit and one outdoor unit. This is perfect if you just want the master bedroom to be comfortable so you can actually sleep. But if you want the whole house done you might look at a multi-split system. This lets you connect several indoor units to just one outdoor box. It saves space in the garden or on your balcony which is handy if you live in a terraced house or an apartment.
You also need to consider the power of the unit. This is usually measured in BTUs. If you get a unit that is too weak it will run constantly and never actually cool the room. If it is too powerful it will keep switching on and off which wastes electricity. We can help you figure out the exact size you need based on how big your room is and which way your windows face.
Why wall-mounted units are the top choice
Most people go for wall-mounted units because they are the most cost-effective. They sit high up on the wall so they stay out of the way of your furniture. Modern ones from brands like Daikin or Mitsubishi are actually quite slim. They don’t stick out as much as the old ones did which is why they are regular products we work with.
One of the best things about these systems is that they aren’t just for cooling. They are actually heat pumps. This means they can heat your room in the winter too. In fact they are often more efficient than electric radiators or even gas central heating for warming up a single room quickly. If you have a home office that gets a bit chilly in October you can just flick the AC on to heat mode and it’s warm in minutes.
Another thing to look for is inverter technology. Old air con units were either on or off. It was very basic. Modern inverters can slow down or speed up depending on the temperature. It is much smoother and it saves a lot of money on your energy bills. And because they are so quiet you can leave them on while you sleep without it sounding like a plane is taking off in the corner of the room.
What to expect during the installation
We know a lot of people worry about the mess of an installation. They think walls are going to be knocked down but it isn’t really like that. A standard install usually involves drilling one small hole for the pipes and wires to go through. We cover the pipes with neat trunking on the outside so it looks tidy.
At Air Conditioning Direct we make sure the outdoor unit is placed somewhere sensible. You don’t want it right next to your patio where you sit and have a coffee. It needs a bit of space around it for the air to circulate. We handle all the technical bits like the refrigerant gas which has to be done by a qualified engineer. It is not a DIY job because you need a F-Gas certificate to handle the chemicals properly.
Most installs can be finished in a single day. We show you how to use the remote and how to set the timers. A lot of the new systems come with Wi-Fi now. This means you can turn the air con on using your phone while you are on the train home. Walking into a cold house after a long day at work is a great feeling.
Keeping your system running well
Once you have your split AC UK system fitted you need to look after it. It isn’t a lot of work but you can’t just forget about it. The indoor units have filters that catch dust and pollen. If these get clogged the system has to work harder and it might start to smell a bit musty. You can usually just pop the front cover open and hoover the filters or rinse them under a tap.
We recommend a professional service once a year. We come out and check the gas levels and make sure the outdoor unit is clear of leaves and dirt. This keeps your warranty valid and makes sure the system lasts for years. A well-maintained air con unit can easily last fifteen years or more if you treat it right.
It is also worth thinking about where you put the indoor unit. You don’t want it blowing directly onto your face while you are in bed. It is better to have it to the side so the air circulates around the room. We can give you advice on the best positioning when we come round for a site survey.
Making the final decision
Investing in air conditioning is a big step but it really changes how you use your home. No more melting in the lounge during a heatwave or struggling to breathe in a stuffy bedroom. It makes the air cleaner too because the filters pull out a lot of the allergens.
If you are unsure about what you need just give us a call or complete our online contact form. We have been doing this for a long time and we know what works in different types of British homes. We don’t use high-pressure sales tactics. We just give you a straight price for a system that will actually do the job.
Living in the UK doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable for three months of the year. A good split AC UK system is a permanent solution that adds value to your house and makes your life much easier. And when that next heatwave hits you will be very glad you got it sorted.