What Happens During an Air Conditioning Installation?

Before the installation day

A proper installation starts well before an engineer arrives with tools. We carry out a survey first to confirm indoor and outdoor unit positions, pipe routes, electrical requirements and any access considerations, so there are no surprises on the day.

This survey also lets us give you an accurate idea of how long the installation will take and what to expect in terms of disruption, so you can plan around it.

Arrival and protecting the property

On installation day, the team will lay down dust sheets and floor protection in the work areas before starting, particularly where pipework needs to be run through walls, floors or lofts.

We'll confirm the agreed positions for the indoor and outdoor units with you before any drilling begins, so you have the chance to raise anything before it becomes permanent.

Fitting the indoor and outdoor units

The indoor unit is mounted on a wall plate, and the outdoor unit is fitted to its wall bracket or ground base. A core hole is drilled through the wall to route the refrigerant pipework, drainage and electrical cabling between the two.

Pipework is insulated and run as neatly as possible, whether that's through a loft space, along an external wall in trunking, or through internal routes depending on the property layout agreed at survey.

Electrical connection

The system needs a suitable electrical supply, which may involve a new circuit from the consumer unit depending on the size of the system and the existing electrical installation. This work is carried out and tested to current wiring regulations.

We'll have identified during the survey whether your existing electrics can accommodate the new system or whether additional electrical work is needed.

Pressure testing and evacuation

Once the pipework is connected, the system is pressure tested to check for leaks, then evacuated using a vacuum pump to remove air and moisture from the refrigerant circuit. This step is essential for reliable long-term operation and is not something that should be skipped.

Only once the system holds a satisfactory vacuum is the refrigerant valve opened to release refrigerant into the pipework and units.

Commissioning and testing

With refrigerant circulating, the system is commissioned: checking operating pressures and temperatures, confirming the condensate drains correctly, and testing all modes and functions on the controller.

We check the system reaches temperature as expected and that airflow, noise levels and drainage all look right before considering the job complete.

Clean-up and handover

The work area is cleaned, protective sheeting removed, and any debris from drilling or pipework taken away. We won't leave a job looking like a building site.

At handover, we talk you through the controller, explain basic settings like temperature and fan speed, and provide any paperwork relevant to the installation, including guidance on ongoing servicing.

How long does it take?

A single-room system with a straightforward pipe run is often completed within a day. Multi-room or multi-split systems, longer pipe runs, or properties needing additional electrical work will take longer, and we'll always confirm a realistic timescale at the survey stage.