Your questions, answered
Everything we get asked, answered straight. No jargon, no sales pitch. If your question isn't here, ring us and we'll answer it.
Costs
How much does home air conditioning cost in the UK?
For a UK home, expect low thousands for a single room, with two or three rooms costing more in total but less per room because they share one outdoor unit. The only reliable figure comes from a survey, because wall construction and pipe routing move the price significantly. Read the full guide
What should be included in an air conditioning quote?
Equipment, pipework, installation labour, electrical work, commissioning and waste removal. If a quote excludes the electrical work, that cost has not disappeared — it has been left off the paperwork. Ask for one written price with everything in it.
Is it cheaper to do two rooms at once or one at a time?
At once, almost always. The outdoor unit is the expensive part and one unit can serve several rooms. Doing a second room a year later usually means a second outdoor unit unless the first was deliberately sized with a spare port. Read the full guide
What does it cost to run?
Less than most people expect. A heat pump moves heat rather than generating it, so one unit of electricity shifts several units of heat. Running costs are a fraction of an electric heater for the same warmth, and far below a portable air conditioner. Read the full guide
Are there any grants available?
Air-to-air heat pumps have been brought within the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, but grant funding normally requires an MCS-certified installer and certified products. Certification for air-to-air has been rolling out unevenly, so ask any installer to confirm eligibility in writing before you commit. Read the full guide
Heating
Does air conditioning heat a room as well as cool it?
Yes. Almost every wall-mounted unit sold in the UK now is reverse-cycle, meaning it works in both directions. In winter it gathers heat from the outside air and brings it inside. Most owners end up using the heating more than the cooling. Read the full guide
Does it still work when it is freezing outside?
Yes. There is usable heat in cold air, and modern units keep working well below freezing. Efficiency falls as the temperature drops because there is less heat available to gather, but it stays well ahead of direct electric heating.
Can it replace my gas boiler?
No. These systems heat air, not water, so they will not run your radiators or produce hot water. They heat individual rooms extremely efficiently. Replacing a boiler entirely requires an air-to-water heat pump, which is a different and much larger job.
Will it heat a conservatory or garden room?
This is one of the best uses for it. Conservatories are freezing in winter and unbearable in summer, and are rarely served properly by central heating. One unit solves both problems, and can be the difference between a room you use all year and one you avoid.
Choosing
Single split or multi-split — which do I need?
A single split pairs one outdoor unit to one indoor unit and cannot be extended. A multi-split runs several indoor units from one outdoor unit. If there is any chance you will want another room later, a multi-split outdoor unit is worth the extra now. Read the full guide
Which brand should I choose?
Brand matters less than installation quality and correct sizing. Premium manufacturers offer better parts support and quieter running; value brands offer similar specifications for less. Be wary of any installer who offers only one brand and insists it is the only good option. Read the full guide
What size system do I need?
That is a survey question, not a catalogue question. An oversized system short-cycles, which is noisy, inefficient and hard on the compressor. An undersized one runs flat out and never quite gets there. Room size, glazing, orientation and insulation all feed into it.
Can I buy the unit online and have someone fit it?
You can, but most installers will not fit customer-supplied equipment, and you may lose the manufacturer warranty, which usually requires installation and registration by a certified installer. Any saving tends to disappear the first time something needs a warranty claim.
Practical
Will it be noisy?
Indoors, no. The compressor — the noisy part — sits outside, and modern indoor units on low fan speed are quieter than a fridge. Outdoors there is an audible hum close to the unit, which is why siting it thoughtfully matters.
Will my neighbour object?
Permitted development rules include noise limits measured at the nearest neighbouring property, so a properly sited installation should not cause a problem. It is still worth mentioning it to them beforehand. Neighbours object far more often to being surprised than to the equipment itself.
Do I need planning permission?
Usually not. Most domestic installations fall under permitted development, but conditions apply around siting, noise and the system providing heating rather than cooling only. Listed buildings, conservation areas and flats are treated differently and need checking. Read the full guide
Can I have it in a rented house?
Only with your landlord's written consent, and you should get it before any survey. Some landlords welcome it as an improvement, particularly the heating side. Others will refuse anything involving drilling through an external wall. Ask early rather than late.
How long does installation take?
One room is usually a day. Two rooms sharing one outdoor unit is typically a day, sometimes spilling into a second. Three rooms is normally two days. Pipe routing is what drives the time, not the number of units. Read the full guide
How much mess is there?
Some, unavoidably — there is drilling through an external wall. Dust sheets go down, furniture gets covered, and all packaging leaves with us. A good installer clears up properly. The core hole is around 65mm and neatly finished on both sides.
Where does the outdoor unit go?
Usually on an external wall on brackets, or at ground level on a stand, as close as practical to the indoor unit. Longer pipe runs cost more and reduce efficiency slightly. The survey works out the best compromise between appearance, noise and performance.
What about the electrics?
Air conditioning normally needs its own electrical supply, which means a qualified electrician and, in most cases, notification under building regulations. This should be included in your quote rather than appearing as an extra later.
Servicing
How often does it need servicing?
Once a year. Manufacturer warranties can be refused where a system has not been serviced and documented, and a neglected system costs more to run as filters block and coils get dirty. Our own five-year cover on parts and labour goes further: it is conditional on the annual service being done by an Amalfi Climate engineer. We can stand behind our own work, not somebody else's. Read the full guide
Can somebody else service it?
Yes, and it will not affect your manufacturer warranty as long as whoever does it is F-Gas certified and documents the visit. It will affect ours. Our five-year cover on parts and labour is conditional on the annual service being carried out by an Amalfi Climate engineer, because it is our labour we are promising and we can only promise it on a system we have looked at. If you move away or would rather use somebody local, tell us and we will say plainly where that leaves you rather than letting you find out at the point of a claim.
What happens during a service?
Filters cleaned or replaced, indoor and outdoor coils cleaned, condensate drain cleared, refrigerant pressures and leak check, electrical connections checked, and operation tested in both heating and cooling. It takes an hour or two, and you should receive a written report.
Why does my air conditioning smell musty?
Almost always a dirty indoor coil. These units are dark and damp by design, and without regular cleaning growth develops on the coil. A proper service clears it. If the smell has returned quickly, the last service probably was not thorough.
How long should a system last?
A well-installed and regularly serviced system should give well over a decade of service. Most early failures come from installation errors rather than manufacturing faults — rushed evacuation, poor flare joints, or undersized pipework — which is why installer choice matters more than brand.
About us
What areas do you cover?
Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. We deliberately keep to a defined area so we are never far away when a system needs servicing or attention — which matters more than it sounds when you are relying on an annual visit.
Which manufacturers do you fit?
Fujitsu and Toshiba. Both are long-established names with strong UK parts support and good build quality across their domestic ranges. We will recommend whichever suits your home and budget, and explain the reasoning rather than just naming a model.
Are you certified?
Handling refrigerant legally requires F-Gas certification, both for the individual and the company. Ask any installer for both numbers. It is a criminal offence to work on these systems without it, and an uncertified installation will also void your manufacturer warranty.
Do you charge for a survey?
No. A survey takes about an hour and you get a written price with no obligation. We do not quote over the phone, because wall construction, pipe routing and electrical capacity change the number too much for a phone estimate to mean anything.
Do you offer finance?
Finance available, subject to status. Ask your surveyor and we will talk you through the options at the time of your quote.
Still not sure what you need?
A survey takes about an hour, costs nothing, and you'll get a written price with no obligation.
Book a free home survey