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Installation

What fitting involves, from the first hole to the handover.

10 guides · about 34 minutes of reading

  1. 01What happens on installation dayInstallers fix the indoor and outdoor units, link them with insulated pipes through a hole in the wall, test the pipework for leaks and clear it of air, then connect the power, run the system and show you how to use it.4 min read
  2. 02How long installation takesA straightforward single-room installation usually takes half a day to a full day. Longer or hidden pipe routes, extra rooms, electrical work and difficult access can each add time, sometimes a day or more.3 min read
  3. 03Preparing your home for installationClear space around where the indoor and outdoor units will go, make sure the engineers can reach the consumer unit and anything on the pipe route, and plan for the power being off for a while.3 min read
  4. 04Refrigerant pipework explainedTwo insulated copper pipes carry refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor units. They are joined at each unit, tested for leaks and cleared of air before use, and their length and route affect how the job looks and whether extra refrigerant is needed.4 min read
  5. 05Where the water goes: condensate drainageWater that condenses in the indoor unit as it cools runs through a drain hose to a suitable outlet, with a small pump where it can't fall naturally. In heating mode the outdoor unit produces water too.3 min read
  6. 06Electrical requirementsMost wall-mounted systems need their own circuit from the consumer unit, often with an isolator switch near the outdoor unit. In England and Wales a new circuit is notifiable building work, so it's done by a registered electrician or notified to building control.3 min read
  7. 07Where the outdoor unit can goAn outdoor unit needs a firm fixing, free airflow, service access and somewhere for defrost water to drain. On a house in England it can usually go on a wall, the ground or a flat roof without planning permission if set conditions are met.4 min read
  8. 08Wall brackets and ground standsWall brackets fix the outdoor unit to a sound wall and keep the ground clear, while ground stands hold it on a firm, level base. Both should raise it clear of water, snow and debris and sit it on anti-vibration mounts.4 min read
  9. 09Commissioning and handoverCommissioning is the set of tests that prove a new system is sealed, safe and working as designed. Handover is when the engineer shows you how to use and look after it and gives you the records and certificates to keep.3 min read
  10. 10Why installation needs a certified engineerA split system is joined into a sealed refrigerant circuit on site, and in Great Britain anyone doing that work needs the right F-gas qualification, with the business holding a company F-gas certificate. Poor work can cause leaks, damage and safety problems.3 min read