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B-Cool
Your code

Your home and the rules

Planning, permissions and regulations, explained.

8 guides · about 26 minutes of reading

  1. 01Do you need planning permission?Usually not in England, where air-to-air heat pumps that aren't used only for cooling count as permitted development if conditions on number, size, position and noise are met. Listed buildings, flats and protected areas follow different rules.4 min read
  2. 02Noise rules and your neighboursIn England, a heat pump fitted without planning permission must be no louder than 37 dB(A) at 1 metre from a neighbour's nearest habitable-room window or door, worked out with the MCS 020(a) calculation. Councils can also investigate noise complaints separately.4 min read
  3. 03Listed buildings and conservation areasFitting air conditioning to a listed building needs listed building consent, and permitted development doesn't cover it. In England, conservation areas and other protected areas still have permitted development, but with stricter rules, including on walls and roofs facing a road.3 min read
  4. 04Flats and leasehold homesIn a flat or leasehold home, fitting air conditioning usually needs written consent from the freeholder under the lease, and the planning rules for flats differ from those for houses. Freeholder consent and planning are separate questions.3 min read
  5. 05Air conditioning in rented homesTenants usually need the landlord's written permission before fitting fixed air conditioning, and a flat's landlord may need the freeholder's consent too. Portable units usually don't need permission, as long as nothing is drilled or altered.3 min read
  6. 06Building regulationsThe part of the building regulations that most often affects an air conditioning installation is the electrical work. In England and Wales a new circuit is notifiable, so it's done by a registered electrician or notified to building control.3 min read
  7. 07F-gas rules for homeownersF-gas rules in Great Britain require anyone installing, servicing or removing a split system to hold the right qualification, and ban releasing refrigerant. A typical home system is well below the size that needs mandatory leak checks.3 min read
  8. 08Selling a home with air conditioningWhen you sell, buyers and their solicitors are likely to ask about planning, electrical certificates, servicing and warranties for a fixed system. Keeping the installation paperwork together lets you answer those questions quickly and accurately.3 min read