Air conditioning for homes, offices and shops in Ireland

A single split system has one outdoor unit connected by refrigerant pipework to one indoor unit, usually high on a wall. A multi-split runs two or more indoor units from one outdoor unit, which saves space outside but means all rooms depend on one compressor. Larger homes and offices sometimes use ducted or ceiling cassette units instead.

Portable units with a hose through the window need no installer, but they are noisy, less efficient and leak warm air back in through the window gap. A fixed system is quieter indoors because the compressor sits outside.

Size matters in both directions. An undersized unit runs flat out and never catches up on a hot afternoon; an oversized one cycles on and off and dehumidifies poorly. The installer should size each room from its floor area, glazing, orientation and how many people and computers are in it, not from a rule of thumb.

Most air conditioners contain fluorinated gases. By law, anyone installing, servicing, leak-checking or recovering refrigerant from these systems must hold the right personal F-gas qualification; a category 1 certificate covers all activities. The company must also hold an F-gas company certificate from an approved body such as Refcom, F-Gas Register (Quidos) or Bureau Veritas, which has to be renewed periodically.

That rules out fitting a split system yourself and asking an engineer to 'just gas it up'. Pre-charged DIY kits exist, but the refrigerant circuit is regulated work, and a poorly made joint leaks refrigerant and ruins the efficiency. Ask for the company's F-gas certificate number and check it with the certification body.

The outdoor unit is where most permission questions arise.

Noise matters too: an outdoor unit under a neighbour's bedroom window will cause complaints even if it is allowed. The indoor unit also needs a condensate drain, either by gravity to a gully or through a small pump, and a dedicated electrical circuit in many cases.

• the make and model of indoor and outdoor units, cooling and heating output, and the refrigerant used
• how each room was sized
• outdoor unit position, bracket or ground mount, and noise at the nearest window
• pipe route, pipe length included in the price and the condensate drain
• electrical supply and whether a new circuit is needed
• the F-gas company certificate number, commissioning and leak test
• servicing interval and warranty conditions

Air conditioning units use fluorinated refrigerants covered by the EU F-gas Regulation; installation, servicing and leak checks must be done by certified technicians. Ask whether the outdoor unit's position needs planning permission, particularly on the front of a building or on a protected structure.

Source: eur-lex.europa.eu

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