Air conditioning for a block of flats – is it worth it?

We think so. A growing number of our customers are choosing to install an air conditioner in their flat already at the finishing stage. Buying an air conditioner nowadays means acquiring a multifunctional air conditioning unit with many additional functions:

ventilation
air purification
dehumidification
ionization
change of airflow direction
automatic mode

Home air conditioners in the budget segment have a minimal set of protective functions. As the unit’s class increases, its functions are more extensive.

Today’s air conditioners differ from previous generations, thanks to the use of new refrigerants (R32) and inverter motors, they are more efficient and use less electricity. Given that remote working has increased by 159% since 2009, setting up an air conditioner is not only a matter of comfort but also of efficiency.

Which air conditioner for your flat?

This depends on:

the type of room
ceiling height, number of windows and doors.

The quality of cooling, the uninterrupted operation of the unit and its service life depend on the correct choice of air conditioner power.

The choice of a high-quality and economical air conditioner should be entrusted to professionals.

Choosing an air conditioner with too low a wattage will result in it running for a longer period at top performance, which will increase energy consumption and lead to premature equipment failure. In addition, the following should also be considered:

insolation – number and size of windows and direction of the world
resence of household appliances
the number of persons in the room

Based on the above, the main parameter remains the power directly dependent on the area of the room that needs to be cooled and sometimes heated. Nowadays, all air conditioners can also work as heating units. They then work on the principle of a heat pump – they take heat from the environment and heat the interior of the home with it. This is a very useful function during the transitional period.

The most popular residential air conditioner.

The most popular air conditioner in block flats is the wall-mounted split unit. This is the choice of 90% of buyers. A split air conditioner consists of one outdoor unit and one indoor unit to cool one selected room.

If you want the whole flat to be cool, you must choose a mulitsplit air-conditioning unit. A mulitsplit air-conditioning unit consists of one outdoor unit and several indoor units, mounted in individual rooms.

If we have not received permission from the manager to install an air-conditioning unit or if we do not want to carry out quite demanding installation work, we are left with a portable air-conditioning unit. Such units are, however, less efficient than stationary air-conditioning units – especially when the discharge pipe is exposed through an open window.

Which company to choose to buy an air conditioner for your home.

The entire range can be divided into three categories: Premium air conditioners, Mid-price range climate control units, Budget units.

Premium air conditioners:

Daikin. This world-class company has a network of production plants in Germany, Turkey, the Czech Republic and other countries. The air conditioning units produced by these plants have distinctive features: continuous improvement of the units, adaptation to modern domestic and industrial needs, inverter control (not in all models, but in most), high-quality filtration and high efficiency. Daikin air conditioners are appliances for maximum comfort. Today Daikin is recognised as the best manufacturer of air conditioning systems and equipment.
Mitsubishi Electric – manufactured in Thailand, with stylish design and high quality. Models are capable of heating/cooling various types of rooms – whether home or commercial. A distinctive feature of Mitsubishi Electric air conditioners is that they operate on the principle of ‘fuzzy logic’. Its essence is that the system automatically determines the temperature based on the user’s wishes and the data received by the system (t, humidity).
Fuji – these are top-quality devices that offer modern and high-performance solutions. The 5-year warranty period is a confirmation of the superior quality of the units. Fuji Electric units are energy-efficient air conditioners achieving an energy class of up to A+++, which is the highest level of energy efficiency included in the European Energy Label.

Most popular air conditioners (average price):

Gree air conditioners have all the necessary functions for human comfort in any room. The equipment has gained popularity thanks to its reliable operation, simple handling and affordable price. Almost all new models operate not only in cooling mode, but also in heating mode. The filtering elements of the equipment clean the air from dust, fungi and allergens. Gree air conditioners have a self-diagnostic function and repair everything themselves in case of minor problems, which makes it much easier to use.
HAIER air conditioners – The brand is world-renowned for its reliable and modern cooling appliances, which help to achieve thermal comfort at home and in the office. This is evidenced by numerous awards and distinctions by international organisations, which both the manufacturer and its local distributors can boast of. The brand’s products are also appreciated among those who complain of hay fever, as the ideal air conditioning for allergy sufferers.
Cooper&Hunter air conditioners are the best choice in the climate technology market. C&H designers and engineers work closely with Daikin and often use their components in their products. Cooper&Hunter’s specialised units rarely break down. The range of models is decent. The price range is also quite diverse, allowing you to make a choice based on your means.

Budget air conditioners.

AUX – Thanks to continuous investment in research and development, the AUX brand can offer competitive, technologically advanced and stylistically attractive products that meet the highest quality standards and European energy efficiency requirements.
Alpicair – is a brand covering a variety of air conditioning and climate control systems. AlpicAir RAC series wall air conditioners combine quality with an attractive price.

We have selected the most popular air conditioner models. For more information on their features, please contact our specialists at 691 222 252, 721 214 700.

Which air conditioner brands are best avoided?

Brands with suspiciously low prices. A good air conditioner cannot be sold for nothing.
Brands that do not provide after-sales service. If the unit breaks down, the brand does not provide a warranty service, which means you will have to look for an outside company to fix it.
New, untested brand. With this option, you can take a chance and win, meaning you get the chance to get a quality brand that is affordable due to its newness. But there is also a chance to lose.

What is the cost of setting up an air contitioning system in a home?

Customers on a tight budget are advised to choose a top model from a lesser-known manufacturer over a weaker model from a premium manufacturer. This rule of thumb allows you to get an efficient air conditioner for a flat that meets the owners’ expectations. The price of installing an air conditioner in a block of flats is also affected by the difficulty of the installation. A time-consuming installation will necessarily cost more. On the other hand, the shorter the connections between the indoor unit and the chiller, the better. If professionals do not have to carry out complicated work, the installation cost will be correspondingly lower. A good way to save is to buy the unit and the installation service from one company.

Do you need a permit for air conditioning in a flat?

Living in a block of flats has its advantages and disadvantages. In the case of air conditioning in a block of flats, regulations impose certain restrictions, including the need to obtain permission (from the community or housing association) to install an air conditioner.

Before purchasing a unit, it is a good idea to read the regulations of the community and check the technical conditions for the installation of the air conditioner.

Permission for an air-conditioning unit in a block of flats is usually easier to obtain if you want to install an air-conditioning unit on the balcony belonging to the flat. It is much more difficult to obtain permission to install the outdoor unit on the roof or façade of the building.

Where to install an air conditioner in a flat?

The air conditioner can be installed based on technical possibilities. Usually, the unit is mounted on the wall of a block of flats or on a balcony. This depends, among other things, on the cooperative conditions. At this point, it is worth highlighting an important element that has a decisive impact on quality. It is about the required spaces that ensure the correct operation of the device. It is extremely important that the air conditioner is placed at a sufficient distance from the wall, the ground or other objects so that nothing interferes with its correct operation. This is the only way to achieve fully satisfactory cooling, which will translate into maintaining a comfortable temperature in the designated rooms.