Air Conditioning Installers

When you want to keep cool in warm British summers, air conditioning is an excellent option. Whether it’s for a business or a residential property, air conditioning installers can add a new system to your home to suit your needs, and provide ongoing maintenance too.

In this guide, we’ll look at some of the most frequently asked questions when hiring air conditioning installers.

What services does an air conditioning installer provide?

An air conditioning installer can help with a wide range of tasks related to air conditioning from initial installation to maintenance and ongoing repairs.

They can help you work out what kind of air conditioning unit and brand you need for your home, whether you need both heat and cold, and which type of system suits your home best.

Air conditioning installers can also provide repairs and maintenance to keep the unit running perfectly year round, including replacing any parts that have worn out.

Why is hiring a professional air conditioning installer important?

You should always hire professional tradespeople when it comes to installing your air conditioning system as they will have an extensive knowledge of how to install all types of units.

They develop their skills with years of experience in air conditioning installation, and make sure that it is done safely and in line with regulations.

Not only will you be able to tap into their knowledge when deciding which brands and models will best suit your requirements, but when you purchase from a reputable installer they will usually have a warranty on their work should anything go wrong.

What can happen if you don’t enlist professional help for air conditioning installation?

When you don’t hire a professional for the task, there are lots of things that can go wrong. If the air conditioning unit is installed incorrectly when it’s attached to the wall, the whole unit can fall off and damage your property and anyone underneath it.

If an air conditioning unit is not wired up correctly to the mains, for example if it doesn’t have its own circuit breaker, then it can lead to an electrical fire in your home. Air conditioning units are designed to be energy efficient, however if it’s installed wrong then it won’t be operating to its maximum efficiency, causing your bills to rise every time you switch it on.

Professional air conditioning installers will always use the best brands and models rather than unknown, cheaper brands which can have numerous issues such as breakdowns, a reduced lifespan, and not cooling the air as it should.

What certifications and qualifications should you look for when hiring an air conditioning installer?

When hiring a qualified air conditioning engineer, there are various qualifications you should make sure they have.

A Level 2 qualification or diploma in a relevant system such as Refrigeration or Air Conditioning will allow them to complete work on basic systems, however a Level 3 qualification from a body like City & Guilds grants them the ability to install more complex air conditioning systems on their own without supervision.

These courses take anywhere from 2 to 4 years to complete, and involve an apprenticeship to build their skills so you can be sure they are trained properly whether you need a single unit installed, or multiple ducted units connected throughout a business.

In addition, any technician should hold an F-Gas certification which is a legal requirement as it shows they can handle heating and cooling systems to a high standard, including refrigerants. This certification also covers the environmental issues associated with the installation and disposal of air conditioning units.

As a bonus, check to see if they are a member of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering as this covers Air Conditioning and Ventilation services offered by tradespeople.

On our platform, we verify memberships too, and you can see memberships we have verified by looking for the "Verified registrations" section on business profiles.

What should you do to prepare for air conditioning installation?

If you’re having air conditioning installed in your home or business, make sure that there is clear access to the area they’ll be working in.

Air conditioning units are usually installed on the wall just underneath the ceiling, so move or cover any furniture that is in the way as dust may be created when they are drilling into the wall for installation.

It may also be necessary to hire an electrician to create the necessary power supply for the air conditioning unit to be wired into. However, many air conditioning installers will already have the ability to wire up the unit into your existing circuitry as part of their training.

Air conditioning units usually have a unit in the property, and then one on the back of the property outside. Think ahead and discuss with your installer where everything is going to be placed beforehand.

What else do you need to know about working with air conditioning installers?

It’s important to have a contract in place for the installation, and here you can also discuss if you will require frequent maintenance as part of this contract to keep your unit running at optimal efficiency.

Do your research before you discuss what kind of unit you will require with the air conditioning installer. See how big the unit needs to be to heat your space and how much energy it consumes, and from this work out how much it will cost you to run.

With any work, you should always get a warranty not only for the unit itself, but also for the installation in case there are any issues after it’s been installed in your home. When using a site to search for an air conditioning installer near you, check out their reviews from previous customers and seek out references if applicable.

Don’t choose the first air conditioning installer you speak to, but instead seek out multiple quotes from at least three different installers (Obtain free estimates and quotes now) and compare them. But, remember, the cheapest quote may not always be the one you should go for, and take into account the price of the unit as well as the installer's experience and reputation.

Original author: Scott Anfield