Split Air con
- Thread starter YoungBlood
- Start date
Soldato
I think if I was only going for the two rooms without potentially adding your master bedroom, I would look at norm's second suggestion. You would only need one vertical drop for trunking, the living room's trunking could T in to the bedrooms (I've got two rooms pipe work in quite a bit of the 70mm trunking so it's deffo doable).
If you were swayed to get your master bedroom done too, I might opt to have it in the corner as I suggested but only if you could mount the lounge internal unit close to the external unit (i.e you would need to hang your door the other way so it opened on the other wall in to your lounge - depends how your living room in set up). If you go above your patio door you would need to have a pipe dropping straight down any way for the condense so it would add more pipe work / trunking.
*edit*
something like this. Note, the red circle could be where the lounge pipes join on to the bedroom/office trunking.
P.S I have seen white trunking too, that might make it less obtrusive!
If you were swayed to get your master bedroom done too, I might opt to have it in the corner as I suggested but only if you could mount the lounge internal unit close to the external unit (i.e you would need to hang your door the other way so it opened on the other wall in to your lounge - depends how your living room in set up). If you go above your patio door you would need to have a pipe dropping straight down any way for the condense so it would add more pipe work / trunking.
*edit*
something like this. Note, the red circle could be where the lounge pipes join on to the bedroom/office trunking.
P.S I have seen white trunking too, that might make it less obtrusive!
Last edited:
The alternative is you get a tri head compressor like fobose has, site it in the same place to the right of the patio door, but in the case of the master bedroom you take the lines all the way to the top through the underside of the fascia soffit and route through the loft.
Ultimately I think that will give you the neatest solution all round with minimal trunking on show.
Ultimately I think that will give you the neatest solution all round with minimal trunking on show.
Soldato
Yup I agree......again 
. However, you will need a condense pump to do that so just bear that in mind. I don't know how likely they are to fail or if the noise is really worth worrying about but for me I really did not want something 'else' to potentially cause me issues later down the road.
I feel I have studied your house in great depth tonight @HungryHippos invoice in the post etc...
. However, you will need a condense pump to do that so just bear that in mind. I don't know how likely they are to fail or if the noise is really worth worrying about but for me I really did not want something 'else' to potentially cause me issues later down the road.I feel I have studied your house in great depth tonight @HungryHippos invoice in the post etc...
Soldato
Thanks chaps again,
For servicing, what do you guys do? I assume a proper service would need someone qualified to mess with these things, but for user service cleaning filters or similar is perfectly doable.
If it needs like a yearly service from someone qualified then I don't have a problem with having it higher up, more out of the way, but a professional will have a ladder as a lot of these units aren't necessarily ground level.
Still in 2 minds about the master bedroom, I'd like to add it, but it would be at an extra cost, and it would require quite a long cable run if going off the same unit. Wondering if I should add that as a separate thing down the line with it's own unit if I want to, the others will be more immediately useful.
Apparently you need planning permission to get more than one unit, where one unit doesn't necessarily need it. In which case potentially having an outdoor unit that can do 3 indoor ones would give expansion options.
Siting it in the corner does mean quite a long trunking length to get to where it needs to go, although I could probably follow under the render around and then up where required.
For servicing, what do you guys do? I assume a proper service would need someone qualified to mess with these things, but for user service cleaning filters or similar is perfectly doable.
If it needs like a yearly service from someone qualified then I don't have a problem with having it higher up, more out of the way, but a professional will have a ladder as a lot of these units aren't necessarily ground level.
Still in 2 minds about the master bedroom, I'd like to add it, but it would be at an extra cost, and it would require quite a long cable run if going off the same unit. Wondering if I should add that as a separate thing down the line with it's own unit if I want to, the others will be more immediately useful.
Apparently you need planning permission to get more than one unit, where one unit doesn't necessarily need it. In which case potentially having an outdoor unit that can do 3 indoor ones would give expansion options.
Siting it in the corner does mean quite a long trunking length to get to where it needs to go, although I could probably follow under the render around and then up where required.
Soldato
I will get mine serviced once a year by the guys that installed it. I think its needed for the 7 year warranty.
It's great having it in my office. It's been sunny today but not that hot outside and my office is 24c with 1 hour of gaming this evening (not hot enough for me to stick the AC on tho). My wife uses the room next to the office for doing exercises (yoga etc) so she loves having the AC in there. Plus its a double bedroom so I could move a bed in there if I had guests staying during hot or humid nights. Mainly love having the AC in the master bedroom though. No breeze outside? No problem. People making a noise early in the morning at the weekend? No problem.
I think I would be kicking myself now if I did not have the master bedroom installed. I was in two minds about the external trunking too, thinking it would look awful but I don't think mine looks that bad. I am out side quite a lot at the moment when not at work and I rarely am looking at the actual house any way!
It's great having it in my office. It's been sunny today but not that hot outside and my office is 24c with 1 hour of gaming this evening (not hot enough for me to stick the AC on tho). My wife uses the room next to the office for doing exercises (yoga etc) so she loves having the AC in there. Plus its a double bedroom so I could move a bed in there if I had guests staying during hot or humid nights. Mainly love having the AC in the master bedroom though. No breeze outside? No problem. People making a noise early in the morning at the weekend? No problem.
I think I would be kicking myself now if I did not have the master bedroom installed. I was in two minds about the external trunking too, thinking it would look awful but I don't think mine looks that bad. I am out side quite a lot at the moment when not at work and I rarely am looking at the actual house any way!
Soldato
Well, this thread has been enlightening.
I'm due to get aircon fitted on Friday, I had a couple of surveys and I've gone with the chap with the best reputation and selected 2x Fujitsu units. I'm now worried after a previous comment a bit of Googling - you need planning permission?!
So some websites say that a single unit would be covered by permitted development as long as it's 1.5m from the boundary. Other sites say that only covers heat pumps for heating purposes and not cooling, therefore you need planning for any number of units.
Either way this screws my install, as it includes two external condensers (the internal units are at opposite ends of the house).
I've reached out to someone I know in a planning department to try and clarify.
I'm due to get aircon fitted on Friday, I had a couple of surveys and I've gone with the chap with the best reputation and selected 2x Fujitsu units. I'm now worried after a previous comment a bit of Googling - you need planning permission?!
So some websites say that a single unit would be covered by permitted development as long as it's 1.5m from the boundary. Other sites say that only covers heat pumps for heating purposes and not cooling, therefore you need planning for any number of units.
Either way this screws my install, as it includes two external condensers (the internal units are at opposite ends of the house).
I've reached out to someone I know in a planning department to try and clarify.
Soldato
Has anyone looked into the planning permission side in any detail? I've found this:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/...r-source-heat-pumps-on-domestic-premises/made
Which lists the usual sales pitch on a few websites - 1 external unit, 1m away from the boundary etc. But there's an exception at the bottom which carves out cooling:
So on the face of it permitted development doesn't apply and you need planning permission even for a single unit?
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/...r-source-heat-pumps-on-domestic-premises/made
Which lists the usual sales pitch on a few websites - 1 external unit, 1m away from the boundary etc. But there's an exception at the bottom which carves out cooling:
So on the face of it permitted development doesn't apply and you need planning permission even for a single unit?
Soldato
I looked in to it briefly after it was mentioned but not a lot I can do about it now apart from apply retrospectively. If it doesn't get the green light and I need to move mine then I will get that sorted out. Personally I think my location means it's not an eye sore for any one as it's below fence level and it's very quiet any way.
What did your installer say about it, did they mention planing permission at all? How many internal units are you having on your setup out of interest?
What did your installer say about it, did they mention planing permission at all? How many internal units are you having on your setup out of interest?
Soldato
Both installers who came out to survey didn't mention it at all. I've messaged the one who's booked for the install.
My install is simple - two internal units. But they're at opposite ends of the house on different floors, so much easier with two external condensers. There's a flat roof for the upstairs unit, and an alcove in the garden for another. Both locations already have external power nearby etc and it removes the need for any condensate pumps. More subtle than running piping all the way around the house and no need for scaffolding for the install. Win-win, or so I thought.
So I've spoken to someone who has experience in planning and the previous link I posted applies. Now, I can't find a link for this, but supposedly "heating purposes" is generally interpreted as meaning cooling as well. So under permitted development you can have the one external unit as long as it's more than 1m from the property boundary and the rest of it.
Dilemma. I could just go ahead and risk it as only one unit will be visible from the street, or get the first unit installed and go for planning for the second.
My install is simple - two internal units. But they're at opposite ends of the house on different floors, so much easier with two external condensers. There's a flat roof for the upstairs unit, and an alcove in the garden for another. Both locations already have external power nearby etc and it removes the need for any condensate pumps. More subtle than running piping all the way around the house and no need for scaffolding for the install. Win-win, or so I thought.
So I've spoken to someone who has experience in planning and the previous link I posted applies. Now, I can't find a link for this, but supposedly "heating purposes" is generally interpreted as meaning cooling as well. So under permitted development you can have the one external unit as long as it's more than 1m from the property boundary and the rest of it.
Dilemma. I could just go ahead and risk it as only one unit will be visible from the street, or get the first unit installed and go for planning for the second.
Soldato
How visible from the street will the one unit be? Is it going up high on front of your house? Could you have it mounted lower so its out of sight, or moved to a different wall? You could try that and then apply for retrospective planning permission if anyone puts in a complaint. Is the unit near any of your neighbours or facing in to their garden? If not then unlikely any one would complain anyway. I think only people that are jealous might complain, or if its directing hot air/noise at them in their garden so the whole out of sight, out of mind saying springs to mind.
It is still a risk though and might just end up costing you some more money down the line for retrospective planning permission.
It is still a risk though and might just end up costing you some more money down the line for retrospective planning permission.
Soldato
What have you decided to do @Matthew.M? Big day tomorrow Hope everything goes smoothly.
Hope everything goes smoothly.
Soldato
What have you decided to do @Matthew.M? Big day tomorrow
Hopefully one unit being installed tomorrow. I’ll submit for planning and then get the second done. Both units are overlooked by neighbours so I might as well do it properly, it doesn’t really cost anything it’s just a delay I didn’t anticipate.
To be honest, we might find the one unit is enough and I never get around to the second. Let’s see!
Soldato
Probably for the best! No worry in your mind then.
I may well submit retrospective planning after the summer. Will make sure my neighbor is happy and hasn't disturb him first. I am confident it won't but you never know with people. If he isn't happy, I will get the unit moved and perhaps even upgrade to a bigger outside unit and add my kitchen on to the install. I could re use the 3 port unit for my living room and other bedroom, would obs have to apply for planning permission for all then.
I may well submit retrospective planning after the summer. Will make sure my neighbor is happy and hasn't disturb him first. I am confident it won't but you never know with people. If he isn't happy, I will get the unit moved and perhaps even upgrade to a bigger outside unit and add my kitchen on to the install. I could re use the 3 port unit for my living room and other bedroom, would obs have to apply for planning permission for all then.
Soldato
Good evening all,
Had a quote back from one company, and pending one from a 2nd one.
First one was recommending Toshiba, but said Mitsubishi/Daikin are options, although they haven't quoted me for Daikin (I'm pretty sure I did ask them to).
Mitsubishi options
Mitsubishi Electric – Lounge / Study system £3197.00 Inc VAT (Residential 5%)
Master Bedroom system £1539.16 Inc VAT (Residential 5%)
Mitsubishi Electric – Lounge Unit – MSZ-LN35VGV-E1
Study Unit – MSZ-LN18VGV-E1
Master Bedroom Unit – MSZ-LN25VGV-E1
Toshiba options
Toshiba – Lounge / Study system £2386.24 Inc VAT (Residential 5%)
Master Bedroom system £1232.30 Inc VAT (Residential 5%)
Toshiba – Lounge Unit – RAS-B13J2KVG-E
Study Unit – RAS-B05J2KVG-E
Master Bedroom Unit – RAS-B10J2KVG-E
They said the condenser unit serving the Lounge/Study would require more power than the current outdoor power allows for, so in both cases would require an extra power thing being run off my fuse box.
The outdoor unit serving the Lounge and Study will require an Electrician to install a power supply from the property Distribution Board to a rotary isolator at the outdoor unit. This will cost £320.00 ex VAT.
Tbh I'll see what the 2nd company quotes, although they are recommending the Mistubishi "Heavy Indsutries" units which I don't think are quite up there with the "Electric" series. I have asked them to include Daikin as well.
The 2nd company also did actually mention planning, which I did appreciate! They said as long as the unit is low/out of sight most people won't care, and it will be too quiet to hear. I've spoken to the neighbour that adjoins my garden (only one who does) and I've said to them I am looking at doing it, they seem OK with the idea. If I go ahead with them I may do so on the basis of them helping me out for cheap if planning becomes an issue, they seem pretty sure it won't be one.
This does mean I may go ahead with the side wall option as per one of my earlier images. 2nd company have also said it can just be mounted on the floor on anti-vibration legs as well. The cabling should run reasonably neatly along the underside of the render, and then I can use the guttering to mask most of the ascent, even if the trunking just runs up parallel with the guttering.
If I wanted to add the master bedroom on then the outdoor unit would need to be one that can serve 3 indoor units, and it is of course quite far away from the master bedroom, which is a challenge. Although one thing I could do would be to have that running under the patio, which I will be looking to change at some point, so could get a new patio in the future, and ask them to run some plastic pipes under it so I can channel the cabling under it, that would be nice and neat, but would certainly be a job for the future.
Decisions, decisions. First quote has come in a bit higher than I'd like, and avoiding running extra power for £384 inc VAT would certainly be welcome.
Had a quote back from one company, and pending one from a 2nd one.
First one was recommending Toshiba, but said Mitsubishi/Daikin are options, although they haven't quoted me for Daikin (I'm pretty sure I did ask them to).
Mitsubishi options
Mitsubishi Electric – Lounge / Study system £3197.00 Inc VAT (Residential 5%)
Master Bedroom system £1539.16 Inc VAT (Residential 5%)
Mitsubishi Electric – Lounge Unit – MSZ-LN35VGV-E1
Study Unit – MSZ-LN18VGV-E1
Master Bedroom Unit – MSZ-LN25VGV-E1
Toshiba options
Toshiba – Lounge / Study system £2386.24 Inc VAT (Residential 5%)
Master Bedroom system £1232.30 Inc VAT (Residential 5%)
Toshiba – Lounge Unit – RAS-B13J2KVG-E
Study Unit – RAS-B05J2KVG-E
Master Bedroom Unit – RAS-B10J2KVG-E
They said the condenser unit serving the Lounge/Study would require more power than the current outdoor power allows for, so in both cases would require an extra power thing being run off my fuse box.
The outdoor unit serving the Lounge and Study will require an Electrician to install a power supply from the property Distribution Board to a rotary isolator at the outdoor unit. This will cost £320.00 ex VAT.
Tbh I'll see what the 2nd company quotes, although they are recommending the Mistubishi "Heavy Indsutries" units which I don't think are quite up there with the "Electric" series. I have asked them to include Daikin as well.
The 2nd company also did actually mention planning, which I did appreciate! They said as long as the unit is low/out of sight most people won't care, and it will be too quiet to hear. I've spoken to the neighbour that adjoins my garden (only one who does) and I've said to them I am looking at doing it, they seem OK with the idea. If I go ahead with them I may do so on the basis of them helping me out for cheap if planning becomes an issue, they seem pretty sure it won't be one.
This does mean I may go ahead with the side wall option as per one of my earlier images. 2nd company have also said it can just be mounted on the floor on anti-vibration legs as well. The cabling should run reasonably neatly along the underside of the render, and then I can use the guttering to mask most of the ascent, even if the trunking just runs up parallel with the guttering.
If I wanted to add the master bedroom on then the outdoor unit would need to be one that can serve 3 indoor units, and it is of course quite far away from the master bedroom, which is a challenge. Although one thing I could do would be to have that running under the patio, which I will be looking to change at some point, so could get a new patio in the future, and ask them to run some plastic pipes under it so I can channel the cabling under it, that would be nice and neat, but would certainly be a job for the future.
Decisions, decisions. First quote has come in a bit higher than I'd like, and avoiding running extra power for £384 inc VAT would certainly be welcome.
Soldato
Cool! Your quote looks quite a bit more than mine (Mitsubishi at least). It could be the internal units are a better model than mine. Your quote model's 'look' fancier but in all honesty don't know the difference. Might have a look later when I am at work. All 3 of mine are model 'msz-ef25vg'.
I would stay clear of Mistubishi heavy industries btw. Not meant to be any where near as good as mitsu electric.
I originally was having mine on rubber mounted feet on the floor but I changed to wall mount as I was thinking of changing the patio in future, only reason I changed. What rating are your downstairs sockets out of interest? Should tell you on the MCB in the consumer unit (Mine have 32A on the text).
I had to pay an extra £350 ex vat to have scaffolding put above my garage to drill through the gable end and in to the loft for my master bedrooms pipe work. It was the main room I wanted so had to do it really.
If you haven't got the guys I used to quote, I would give them a call and see what they come back with. Think they cover your area too. Jacob, the main guy is great. https://sub-cool-fm.co.uk/
I would stay clear of Mistubishi heavy industries btw. Not meant to be any where near as good as mitsu electric.
I originally was having mine on rubber mounted feet on the floor but I changed to wall mount as I was thinking of changing the patio in future, only reason I changed. What rating are your downstairs sockets out of interest? Should tell you on the MCB in the consumer unit (Mine have 32A on the text).
I had to pay an extra £350 ex vat to have scaffolding put above my garage to drill through the gable end and in to the loft for my master bedrooms pipe work. It was the main room I wanted so had to do it really.
If you haven't got the guys I used to quote, I would give them a call and see what they come back with. Think they cover your area too. Jacob, the main guy is great. https://sub-cool-fm.co.uk/
Soldato
I googled Mitsubishi Heavy Industries vs Electric. I didn’t find anything as clear cut as that, some articles even indicated that MHI was slightly more efficient with noise and power usage. It seemed to vary a lot based on region and support/parts pricing etc.
Anyway, my units are going to be MHI so I’ll let you know if they’re any good
Installer I’m using had better experience with these than ME.
Anyway, my units are going to be MHI so I’ll let you know if they’re any good
Installer I’m using had better experience with these than ME.
Soldato
It could just be AC firms just push whatever they get the best deal with @Matthew.M so probably doesn't really matter unless you go for a really cheap brand. Looking forward to seeing your progress pics today ahem..
Just a thought re your pricing @HungryHippos It could well be due to it being the summer months the prices are hiked up as work load is busier at that time. I got mine in just in time for the winter/spring pricing (my quote specifically mentioned it).
ahem.. Just a thought re your pricing @HungryHippos It could well be due to it being the summer months the prices are hiked up as work load is busier at that time. I got mine in just in time for the winter/spring pricing (my quote specifically mentioned it).
Soldato
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- 14 Mar 2011
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My Aircon is being installed next week - Daikin system powering 2 internal units; fingers crossed it does the job!
Soldato
What rooms are you getting done @uncle_rufus ?
Any progress pics @Matthew.M I hope your install went well. My missus had the right hump with me for getting it done whilst she was working from home Let's say it was a bit noisy
Any progress pics @Matthew.M
I hope your install went well. My missus had the right hump with me for getting it done whilst she was working from home Let's say it was a bit noisy