Air Conditioning FAQ — Wokingham

Increasingly, yes. UK summers now regularly include multi-day spells above 28–30°C, and homes built for retaining heat in winter often struggle to cool down naturally. Air conditioning also runs in reverse to provide efficient heating, so it's rarely a cooling-only purchase — many homeowners use it more in winter than summer.

In a rented property, written permission from the landlord is required before any installation, since it involves drilling through an external wall and fitting an outdoor unit. In a flat, leasehold restrictions or management company rules may also apply to external alterations. Stuart can talk through what's realistic for your specific property during a free survey.

Most domestic split air conditioning installations fall under permitted development and don't require planning permission, provided the outdoor condenser meets size and placement rules and the property isn't listed or in a conservation area. Checked as part of the free survey.

A single-split system has one indoor unit and one outdoor condenser, cooling one room. A multi-split system connects several indoor units to a single outdoor condenser, cooling multiple rooms independently. See our system comparison →

Most modern split systems, including the Bosch, Daikin and Mitsubishi ranges we install, are reverse-cycle — providing efficient heating as well as cooling from the same unit.

Single-room systems typically run £1,600–£2,500. Multi-split systems covering 2–4+ rooms range from £3,200 up to £8,500+. Exact pricing is confirmed after a free on-site survey. See the full pricing table →

Standard quotes assume a back-to-back install. Three things commonly add cost: longer pipe runs through lofts or external walls, a condensate pump if gravity drainage isn't possible, and a new electrical supply line if your consumer unit lacks capacity.

A single split system is typically installed in a day. Multi-split systems with several indoor units usually take one to two days, depending on pipe runs and the number of rooms.

A rough guide is room area in square feet multiplied by 25 BTU, adjusted for sun exposure, kitchen use and occupancy. A free survey gives an exact recommendation rather than a guide figure — call 07850 116944 and Stuart can talk you through it.

Modern indoor units typically run at a similar noise level to a quiet conversation, and outdoor units are designed to meet noise limits relevant to permitted development. Noise levels vary by brand and model, which Stuart can discuss as part of the survey if it's a concern.

Air conditioning does remove some humidity from the air as part of the cooling process, which is normal and generally makes a room feel more comfortable rather than uncomfortably dry. An oversized, poorly specified unit is more likely to cause noticeable dryness than a correctly sized one.

Properly installed and regularly serviced air conditioning is not inherently bad for health. Issues typically arise from poor maintenance, such as a dirty filter circulating dust, rather than from air conditioning itself. Annual servicing keeps the system clean and running as intended.

Yes. Annual servicing keeps the system efficient and protects the manufacturer warranty. A service includes a filter clean, refrigerant level check, condensate drain clear and a full performance test. From £96.

A well-installed, annually serviced split air conditioning system typically lasts 10–15 years. Skipping servicing or running an undersized unit constantly under strain can shorten this considerably.

Yes, indoor unit filters should be checked and rinsed every few weeks during heavy use, which most homeowners can do themselves following the manufacturer's instructions. The annual service covers a deeper clean and checks the parts that aren't user-accessible, such as refrigerant levels and drainage.

Yes. Stuart is F-Gas qualified and registered, a legal requirement for anyone installing or servicing equipment containing refrigerant in the UK.

Thermotec installs Bosch, Daikin and Mitsubishi systems across Wokingham and Berkshire, all of which offer reverse-cycle heating and cooling from the same unit.

0% VAT is available on qualifying energy-saving installations. Eligibility depends on the specific installation and current government rules, which Stuart can confirm during your free survey.