Assembly, installation and commissioning

Wall mounted indoor unit - what must be considered during installation?

Air conditioners ensure pleasant temperature and have a positive influence on the room climate. However, regulations and guidelines should be observed during installation and handling. Installation manual is helpful during the assembly. The indoor unit should be hung as high as possible and absolutely horizontally. Choose such a location for installation that the cooled air can flow evenly through the room. Due to airflow, it is not recommended to install it near any heat sources, seating or workstations. The minimum distance to the ceiling is approx. 15 cm, to the floor 200 cm and to each side 12 cm. Remove the fixing plate from the air conditioner and mark the place where it is to be fixed on the wall. Then attach it using screws and dowels. The indoor unit is hung on the mounting plate and then the connecting lines are attached. In cooling mode, condensate is produced, which must be discharged outside through a condensate hose running at a gradient.

Installation of the outdoor unit - what should be taken into account?

In principle, it is important to proceed follow the installation manual and to use an approved mounting system. It can basically be mounted anywhere outside. The prerequisite is that it should not disturb anybody, be easily accessible for maintenance and that the minimum distances are observed: 20 cm to the rear, 100 cm to the front, 60 cm to the right and 30 cm to the left. Ideally, the device should be installed in a location that is not exposed to direct sunlight, as this can improve its efficiency. Avoid installation locations where a lot of dust and dirt could deposit. If the outdoor unit is to be mounted on the roof, installation and maintenance can be associated with certain costs, as technicians must take safety precautions before walking on roofs.

Where can an outdoor unit be installed and what size are the units?

Outdoor units can be mounted on the house wall, for instance. The mounting brackets are fastened by means of screws and brackets after an opening has been created in the wall so that the outdoor unit is secure. Furthermore, the device can be installed on a terrace, balcony, by means of brackets on the roof, in an underground car park or in the garden. In rare cases, it is possible to install the units indoors, depending on the circumstances. The size of an outdoor unit depends on its capacity. For instance, units with the capacity of 2 to 5 kW are about the size of a suitcase.

Can an air conditioning system be retrofitted?

Retrofitting is possible without any problems in most cases if an outdoor unit can be installed outdoors. The indoor unit is usually attached to the wall with a mounting plate. The refrigerant pipes, which are laid in a cable duct, are then routed through a hole in the wall to the outside of the unit, which is fixed to brackets or concrete panels. Finally, during commissioning the pressure is checked and the refrigeration system is evacuated. The remaining humidity is extracted from the lines. It the unit is properly installed and maintained, no refrigerant needs to be topped up since the system is closed. The work should always be carried out by a qualified specialist company.

Is there a lot of dirt during installation of an air conditioner?

Yes, but this is within reasonable limits. Obviously, drilling work is necessary for the wall duct, but the dust generated during drilling is extracted directly from the drill hole thanks to modern industrial vacuum cleaners and is not spread around the house. This helps to avoid dirt deposits and ensures that the flat is almost spotlessly clean. Usually only one day is required for installation.

Can I install the air conditioner myself or is it advisable to hire a specialist company?

It is possible to install an air conditioning system yourself. The final commissioning, however, must be carried out by a certified air-conditioning technician, electrician or an installer of sanitary, heating and air-conditioning systems with appropriate additional training. If you do not have the required knowledge, it is advisable to have the installation carried out by a specialist company. You should not make savings in the wrong place. Potential secondary costs due to an incorrectly installed air conditioning system are extremely high. A specialist also installs the system precisely and ensures that cold air flows to where it is needed.

What costs must be expected for the installation of an air conditioning system by a specialist company?

In a room with a surface of up to 30 square metres, an air conditioning unit with a cooling capacity of about 2000 to 2500 watts is usually used. The total price depends on the conditions, the length of the pipe and the required cooling capacity. A wall-mounted unit with a cooling capacity of 2500 watts and a refrigerant pipe of around 5 running metres, including installation and commissioning, may cost at least 2,000 euros. There are, however, considerable price differences with regard to the cost of air conditioning units, so that it is not possible to state the cost precisely.

How long does it take to install an air conditioning system?

Two people need one day to install and commission one or two indoor units and one outdoor unit. Nevertheless, it may take longer, as various factors such as the surrounding conditions and the length of the refrigerant pipe play a role in this respect as well. A specialist company can inform you in advance the approximate installation time required.

Can I operate and maintain the air conditioner myself?

No, because as already mentioned, the commissioning must be carried out by a certified specialist company in accordance with the Climate Protection Regulation of 2008. The same applies to regular inspection, maintenance and repairs. If the system contains more than 3 kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases as refrigerant, it must be checked for leaks at least once a year by certified personnel. All this also plays an important role with regard to guarantee.

Can I put an air conditioner with Quick Connect system into operation myself?

In this case as well, commissioning must be carried out by an air conditioning technician. If it is not accepted by a specialist, there is no warranty on the product. However, these air conditioners allow you to save money since they have various quick release fasteners that are pre-filled and evacuated.

Commissioning, partial assembly and complete assembly - what is the difference?

Commissioning

After the air conditioning system has been installed and the refrigerant, electrical and condensate lines have been connected, commissioning is carried out. The system is evacuated for this purpose: very strong vacuum is created to remove air and moisture from the indoor unit and refrigerant line. Subsequently, the air conditioner is filled. After an inspection measurement it can be put into operation. The device as well as all necessary items and filling and suction devices are connected.

Partial assembly

The air conditioning unit has already been installed and all drillings have been made, so that the air conditioning technician only has to connect the refrigerant, electrical and condensate lines and then carry out the commissioning.

Complete assembly

The air conditioning technician checks the conditions on site and an appointment is made with him for drilling, installation, connection of the pipes and commissioning.