Fitted Air conditioning
Discussion
Rob. said:
So the SIPs garden room isn't coping as well as I'd hoped with this heat! I'm now back looking at air con options...
I could go for the wall-mounted electriQ unit, but it seems a wasted opportunity to see if I can make an easy-fit multi-split system work to cool the 1st floor of the house at night. I have a couple of questions though:
- How big is the bundle of wiring/pipes that runs between the outdoor and indoor units?
- Is there any issue with running them underground in a duct, then up into the house?
You seem to be thinking the same way that I was last year. I wanted an FCU (fan coil unit) in the loft, blowing cooled air (1) into the bedroom and (2) down a vertical 6" duct in the wardrobe to a ceiling vent in the lounge below. A net and invisible installation. But I couldn't find any supplier to do it - they only wanted to fit ugly boxes onto walls because that's all they know.I could go for the wall-mounted electriQ unit, but it seems a wasted opportunity to see if I can make an easy-fit multi-split system work to cool the 1st floor of the house at night. I have a couple of questions though:
- How big is the bundle of wiring/pipes that runs between the outdoor and indoor units?
- Is there any issue with running them underground in a duct, then up into the house?
Simpo Two said:
You seem to be thinking the same way that I was last year. I wanted an FCU (fan coil unit) in the loft, blowing cooled air (1) into the bedroom and (2) down a vertical 6" duct in the wardrobe to a ceiling vent in the lounge below. A net and invisible installation. But I couldn't find any supplier to do it - they only wanted to fit ugly boxes onto walls because that's all they know.
Did they state they didn't want to install that or just ignore what you were asking forI would have quite a few technical concerns to the extent I think I would have declined. When I worked for a company where installs were the main part of the business we turned down quite a few jobs where we felt the customer wasn't going to be happy if we did exactly as they asked.
150mm is a pretty small duct. I'm not sure you could send enough air down it at adequate velocity to achieve the amount of cooling you need without it being intolerably noisy.
Coupled with that, air will find the path of least resistance so most of it will end up in the bedroom unless you fit a damper to balance the airflow restricting cooling airflow to the bedroom as well (higher static pressure)
The duct to downstairs will be what, three metres long. That's pretty long for a small branch duct and maybe that level of resistance will be too much for the fan to overcome. Couple that with higher restriction caused if you have to use flexible ducting to get it through ceilings and floors and into wardrobes.
By having a return path all the way back through the house and into the loft the heat gain will be massive, especially if the loft insulation is at the joists not at the roof. Effectively you could be taking air into the unit at 28-30 degrees easily from the loft space. Once cooled, it may only be 20 degrees on entering the rooms.
A ducted FCU for your bedroom would be fine, taking air directly from and returning straight to the room would work ok. The kit is more expensive though as it isn't really made at the lower end of the market (TBH this is a guess, its not where we source equipment from) and installing is more complex, with supporting brackets, grilles and ducting all needed rather just screwing an ugly box to a wall.
We currently have a split outdoor unit running 4 indoor units, one in each bedroom (Toshiba), and I fitted a DIY ElectriQ split unit in the downstairs office at the start of lockdown.
That just leaves the living room and dining room (not considering the kitchen or bathroom). I have identified a pipework route, and a place to put the outdoor unit that will not be visible, so we are considering getting these two rooms done as well. My question is: is there a split unit where the indoor unit can be mounted at floor level (like a radiator)? We *could* go for normal high level units, but they would not really fit well as they would be immediately above wall lights.
Any ideas? (The ElectriQ all in one unit discussed earlier would not be suitable as it would vent directly into the garage).
That just leaves the living room and dining room (not considering the kitchen or bathroom). I have identified a pipework route, and a place to put the outdoor unit that will not be visible, so we are considering getting these two rooms done as well. My question is: is there a split unit where the indoor unit can be mounted at floor level (like a radiator)? We *could* go for normal high level units, but they would not really fit well as they would be immediately above wall lights.
Any ideas? (The ElectriQ all in one unit discussed earlier would not be suitable as it would vent directly into the garage).
Harry Flashman said:
...I love aircon. In Sri Lanka, it is normal, but is there for humidity as much as heat...
I grew up near Kandy in the 1980's (Victoria dam project). No aircon in houses or cars back then. Houses had ceiling or pedestal fans. My mum's Mk1 Golf had vinyl seats so towels were laid over the seats to avoid burning the backs of your legs! No such concerns in my Dad's Vauxhall Chevette with cloth seats.I think some of the luxury hotels in Colombo and on the coast had aircon, or you could head up to to Nuwara Eliya, of course.
Can anyone recommend a good solution for flats/apartments where it's not possible to have an outside unit installed? I've seen some that say they're water-cooled but to be honest I have no clue what I'm looking at and whether or not it's a great/duff idea. Are they as effective/efficient as 'normal' AC units?
Rob. said:
So the SIPs garden room isn't coping as well as I'd hoped with this heat! I'm now back looking at air con options...
I could go for the wall-mounted electriQ unit, but it seems a wasted opportunity to see if I can make an easy-fit multi-split system work to cool the 1st floor of the house at night. I have a couple of questions though:
- How big is the bundle of wiring/pipes that runs between the outdoor and indoor units?
- Is there any issue with running them underground in a duct, then up into the house?
Thanks.
Core drill in mine was I think 60mm. Easy to get through walls. We run ours in surface trunking, painted up so we can access it. I could go for the wall-mounted electriQ unit, but it seems a wasted opportunity to see if I can make an easy-fit multi-split system work to cool the 1st floor of the house at night. I have a couple of questions though:
- How big is the bundle of wiring/pipes that runs between the outdoor and indoor units?
- Is there any issue with running them underground in a duct, then up into the house?
Thanks.
Thing we are thinking now, is our pool heat pump in summer is running. The fan blows refrigerated air out, even on a hot day, it’s like 15 degrees or so. Wondering if I can duct this into my office to cool it, so we get cooler house, hotter pool, all for the same cost.
poo at Paul's said:
We fitted two self fit split units. Quite clever, already gassed up, just mount the two units, one in, one out, drills hole with the included core drill but, feed flexy copper pipe bundle and wiring through , like in a sheithed loom, spanner up connections for gas, run drain to down pipe, open up a valve and the gas all runs though, leave 20 mins and fire it up.
First one, we fitted 15 years ago, a wickes unit, made by Gree, the new one we fitted last year upstairs.
Wickes one was 350 quid back then, new one last year was 649 quid.
Both are heat pumps, but the new one far more efficient.
With loads of windows in our house, the upstairs is very warm in summer, so it’s a proper boon to have it.
Which model did you fit recently? Any chance of a link please. First one, we fitted 15 years ago, a wickes unit, made by Gree, the new one we fitted last year upstairs.
Wickes one was 350 quid back then, new one last year was 649 quid.
Both are heat pumps, but the new one far more efficient.
With loads of windows in our house, the upstairs is very warm in summer, so it’s a proper boon to have it.
Simpo Two said:
You seem to be thinking the same way that I was last year. I wanted an FCU (fan coil unit) in the loft, blowing cooled air (1) into the bedroom and (2) down a vertical 6" duct in the wardrobe to a ceiling vent in the lounge below. A net and invisible installation. But I couldn't find any supplier to do it - they only wanted to fit ugly boxes onto walls because that's all they know.
Not quite. I want a multi-split unit, but was hoping to bury the connection between outdoor unit and 1 of the indoor units underground (as the garden room is about 5m from the house) Funk said:
Can anyone recommend a good solution for flats/apartments where it's not possible to have an outside unit installed? I've seen some that say they're water-cooled but to be honest I have no clue what I'm looking at and whether or not it's a great/duff idea. Are they as effective/efficient as 'normal' AC units?
I too am interested in answers to this question.Funk - I also started a thread yesterday . . .
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Funk said:
Can anyone recommend a good solution for flats/apartments where it's not possible to have an outside unit installed? I've seen some that say they're water-cooled but to be honest I have no clue what I'm looking at and whether or not it's a great/duff idea. Are they as effective/efficient as 'normal' AC units?
Yes I am also interested in an answer to this question.With water cooled air con I think it is important to differentiate between evaporators (fairly useless as far as I understand) and air conditioning systems that work in the same way as the air cooled heat exchanges just with water cooling the heat exchanger.
If anyone has any experience with the latter that would be interesting.
JagLover said:
Funk said:
Can anyone recommend a good solution for flats/apartments where it's not possible to have an outside unit installed? I've seen some that say they're water-cooled but to be honest I have no clue what I'm looking at and whether or not it's a great/duff idea. Are they as effective/efficient as 'normal' AC units?
Yes I am also interested in an answer to this question.With water cooled air con I think it is important to differentiate between evaporators (fairly useless as far as I understand) and air conditioning systems that work in the same way as the air cooled heat exchanges just with water cooling the heat exchanger.
If anyone has any experience with the latter that would be interesting.
Not cheap and you're looking at around £6000 per room - but it's very effective, very neat and honestly the best money we've spent. We got it them installed in the lounge and master bedroom and it's made such a difference to quality of life.
wiffmaster said:
We've had a system from Cool You for about 5 years and it's been faultless. Our lounge used to regularly hit 35 degrees in the summer because it's West facing and basically that whole side of the building is glass. Now it can happily hold an internal temperature of 20 degrees even in the height of summer.
Not cheap and you're looking at around £6000 per room - but it's very effective, very neat and honestly the best money we've spent. We got it them installed in the lounge and master bedroom and it's made such a difference to quality of life.
Thank you, I have seen information put out by them so am aware of the brand. Not cheap and you're looking at around £6000 per room - but it's very effective, very neat and honestly the best money we've spent. We got it them installed in the lounge and master bedroom and it's made such a difference to quality of life.
What has water consumption been like?, and how often do they need to be serviced?
Rob. said:
Simpo Two said:
You seem to be thinking the same way that I was last year. I wanted an FCU (fan coil unit) in the loft, blowing cooled air (1) into the bedroom and (2) down a vertical 6" duct in the wardrobe to a ceiling vent in the lounge below. A net and invisible installation. But I couldn't find any supplier to do it - they only wanted to fit ugly boxes onto walls because that's all they know.
Not quite. I want a multi-split unit, but was hoping to bury the connection between outdoor unit and 1 of the indoor units underground (as the garden room is about 5m from the house) JDiz said:
Which model did you fit recently? Any chance of a link please.
https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/eiq-12wminv/electriq-eiq12wminv-wall-split-air-conditionerThink it is this one, but we got it elsewhere.
You need to make sure it is one with the Gas that DIY can install, ie not FGas, although they are all pre gassed and pretty much the same to install.
FGas ones are a bit cheaper so help toward fitting cost if you can have someone install it.
TriumphStag3.0V8 said:
We currently have a split outdoor unit running 4 indoor units, one in each bedroom (Toshiba), and I fitted a DIY ElectriQ split unit in the downstairs office at the start of lockdown.
That just leaves the living room and dining room (not considering the kitchen or bathroom). I have identified a pipework route, and a place to put the outdoor unit that will not be visible, so we are considering getting these two rooms done as well. My question is: is there a split unit where the indoor unit can be mounted at floor level (like a radiator)? We *could* go for normal high level units, but they would not really fit well as they would be immediately above wall lights.
Any ideas? (The ElectriQ all in one unit discussed earlier would not be suitable as it would vent directly into the garage).
Daikin do a lovely floor level unit, I think I posted a pic a couple of pages back …That just leaves the living room and dining room (not considering the kitchen or bathroom). I have identified a pipework route, and a place to put the outdoor unit that will not be visible, so we are considering getting these two rooms done as well. My question is: is there a split unit where the indoor unit can be mounted at floor level (like a radiator)? We *could* go for normal high level units, but they would not really fit well as they would be immediately above wall lights.
Any ideas? (The ElectriQ all in one unit discussed earlier would not be suitable as it would vent directly into the garage).
Both my in-laws and some good friends have gone for this one and are very impressed.
JagLover said:
Thank you, I have seen information put out by them so am aware of the brand.
What has water consumption been like?, and how often do they need to be serviced?
Not sure on the water consumption I'm afraid, as we're not on a meter. Electricity wise, it doesn't seem to use much at all and haven't noticed any difference in bills during the summer.What has water consumption been like?, and how often do they need to be serviced?
It gets serviced once a year (to maintain the 5 year warranty) and from what I can tell the service consists of a deep clean, disinfectant spray, checking output temperatures and running a load of tests to check things like condenser pumps are working.
Can highly recommend Cool You, though. One of the few companies that do what they say they'll do, when they say they'll do it!
JagLover said:
wiffmaster said:
We've had a system from Cool You for about 5 years and it's been faultless. Our lounge used to regularly hit 35 degrees in the summer because it's West facing and basically that whole side of the building is glass. Now it can happily hold an internal temperature of 20 degrees even in the height of summer.
Not cheap and you're looking at around £6000 per room - but it's very effective, very neat and honestly the best money we've spent. We got it them installed in the lounge and master bedroom and it's made such a difference to quality of life.
Thank you, I have seen information put out by them so am aware of the brand. Not cheap and you're looking at around £6000 per room - but it's very effective, very neat and honestly the best money we've spent. We got it them installed in the lounge and master bedroom and it's made such a difference to quality of life.
What has water consumption been like?, and how often do they need to be serviced?
I'm on the south coast so would be interested in finding if there are any installers outside of London that do these units...
Hereward said:
Harry Flashman said:
...I love aircon. In Sri Lanka, it is normal, but is there for humidity as much as heat...
I grew up near Kandy in the 1980's (Victoria dam project). No aircon in houses or cars back then. Houses had ceiling or pedestal fans. My mum's Mk1 Golf had vinyl seats so towels were laid over the seats to avoid burning the backs of your legs! No such concerns in my Dad's Vauxhall Chevette with cloth seats.I think some of the luxury hotels in Colombo and on the coast had aircon, or you could head up to to Nuwara Eliya, of course.
Shnozz said:
Perhaps.
The 40 degree was a random flash in the pan though and they aren't overnight temperatures.
Not sure where you are in the country but I haven't seen it above 25 in Hants in the last few weeks. It's pleasant, but no real humidity in the UK that would ever need me to resort to air con overnight to sleep. July/August in Spain I will have my air con on there, and likewise Nov - Feb for overnight heating.
I'm in North Hampshire/Berkshire and can assure you for a lot of the houses here it's becoming less of a 'want' and closer to 'need'. Given the internal temps tend to mirror externally. I know over the summers it's not been unusual to have 25+ degrees inside the house at 11pm. I think the record has been north of 30 degrees internally during the 40 degree spells last year. The 40 degree was a random flash in the pan though and they aren't overnight temperatures.
Not sure where you are in the country but I haven't seen it above 25 in Hants in the last few weeks. It's pleasant, but no real humidity in the UK that would ever need me to resort to air con overnight to sleep. July/August in Spain I will have my air con on there, and likewise Nov - Feb for overnight heating.
wiffmaster said:
Not sure on the water consumption I'm afraid, as we're not on a meter. Electricity wise, it doesn't seem to use much at all and haven't noticed any difference in bills during the summer.
It gets serviced once a year (to maintain the 5 year warranty) and from what I can tell the service consists of a deep clean, disinfectant spray, checking output temperatures and running a load of tests to check things like condenser pumps are working.
Can highly recommend Cool You, though. One of the few companies that do what they say they'll do, when they say they'll do it!
Thanks. I suspect wherever I buy will be on a meter so I think I need to find that out before going with this solution. It gets serviced once a year (to maintain the 5 year warranty) and from what I can tell the service consists of a deep clean, disinfectant spray, checking output temperatures and running a load of tests to check things like condenser pumps are working.
Can highly recommend Cool You, though. One of the few companies that do what they say they'll do, when they say they'll do it!
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