Air Conditioning Frequently Asked Questions

With an annual service, a well-installed and maintained system typically lasts 10 to 15 years. Regular servicing keeps it running efficiently, keeps your warranty valid and helps it last longer.

The only thing released would be refrigerant gas, which disperses into the air. There's no water in those pipes, so there would be no water leak and no water damage. If you think a pipe has been damaged, switch the system off and call our aftersales team on 020 8080 9708.

Yes. Our water cooled system has no external element, so it's ideal for commercial properties in listed buildings or conservation areas, and for landlords who won't allow an outdoor unit. The condenser fits in a store room or cupboard.

Both systems have no outdoor unit, but they work very differently.

A monoblock unit is air-cooled. It needs two large holes cored through an outside wall, which leaves visible grilles on the outside of the building, and each unit cools only one room.

Our water cooled system uses mains water instead of outside air. The whole system sits inside, with no holes or grilles on the outside, and one condenser can cool up to five rooms.

As a guide, cooling a typical bedroom uses around 40 litres of water an hour while the system is working hard, and much less once the room has cooled.

At around £4–£5 per cubic metre for water and sewerage, 40 litres costs roughly 16–20p. Running it for three or four hours on a hot evening, would cost you around £1.

If your building has communal heating or a chilled water circuit, the condenser may be able to connect to it and use no mains water at all.

Most residential installations are zero-rated, so you pay no VAT on your air conditioning system. However, commercial installations are charged VAT at the standard rate. Your quote will show clearly whether VAT applies.

It depends on your building. Our system needs nothing on the outside, so planning permission isn't needed. Listed Building Consent can still apply to internal works if your building is historically protected, such as running pipework through a ceiling.

We always recommend checking with your local conservation officer before you book. If consent is needed, we can assist by giving you the technical details of the system for your application.

Usually not for planning reasons, as our system is fully internal. But many leases ask you to tell the freeholder or managing agent before you carry out internal works, or to get their consent.

Check your lease before you book. Because nothing goes on the outside of the building, freeholders are usually far more comfortable with our system than with a conventional outdoor unit.

Yes, loft air conditioning installation is entirely feasible. The wide variety of loft air conditioning units available today, from wall-mounted units to heat pumps, means there is a suitable solution for most loft spaces, though careful planning is essential given the unique features of these spaces.

No. Our water cooled system has no outdoor unit, so nothing is changed on the outside of your building. The internal condenser is installed out of sight in a cupboard, utility room or under a sink.

Our range of modern wall unit options, including the Urban Designer unit with fabric covers in a range of colours, and our Urban Ducted unit that is hidden in the ceiling behind a discreet grille.

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Yes, our internal water-cooled solution is the best alternative when you are not allowed (or don’t have room) to install a condenser on the outside of the property.

As our systems are fully internal there is no requirement to apply for Planning Permission or carry out a noise survey. If you are a leaseholder, we would always recommend checking your lease to see if internal works are permitted without notifying the freeholder, but you will definitely not need local authority approval.

It depends on your policy. Some insurers cover a fixed air conditioning system as part of your buildings or contents cover. Others ask you to add it. Check with your insurer whether it's covered, and whether your premium needs to change.

Yes, if you were to sell or move out of your property and you wish to take your system with you we would need to attend and decommission the system. This would involve pumping down the system so the refrigerant is safely stored inside the condenser unit, isolating the electrical power and communication cables and then taking down the units from the walls - please note that there will be some small holes in the wall that would need to be repaired after the wall units have been taken down.

Our wide range of internal water air conditioning systems provide a cooling capacity of up to 15kw and a cooling power input of up to 5kw. This makes our internal systems as powerful and efficient as any conventional air conditioning unit.

Our internal water cooled air conditioner can supply up to 8 rooms with cool air at the specified desired temperature, easily controlled with our smartphone app or remote.

The Urban Designer wall-mounted unit has the following dimensions:

• Height: 300 mm
• Width: 980 mm
• Depth: 210 mm

This unit is designed to combine modern aesthetics with high functionality, making it a great choice for various room sizes.

It is a common myth that air conditioning can make you ill or cause you to catch a cold. Colds are caused by viruses, not cool air.

Like any appliance, it does need looking after. Keep the filters clean and have the system serviced once a year. Set it to a comfortable 21–23°C rather than as cold as it will go, and avoid sitting directly in the airflow for long periods.

We’re air conditioning specialists for properties that can’t have a conventional outdoor unit, such as apartments, listed buildings and homes in conservation areas.

Our water cooled air conditioning system is fully internal. The condenser sits in a cupboard or utility room, so nothing changes on the outside of your building. We’ve been installing it for over 10 years and have completed more than 1,000 installations.

With over 40 years’ combined experience, our team covers London and the South East, as well as Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

At your video consultation, you'll simply walk the surveyor through the rooms you'd like cooled, and where you'd like the units, including the condenser, to go.

At the pre-installation survey, the surveyor visits in person to confirm your property's details, so there are no surprises on installation day. They'll need to see:

• The rooms where you'd like air conditioning
• There you'd like the condenser to go
• The ceiling space between the indoor units and the condenser, to check there's room for the pipework
• The mains water and drainage connections for the condenser
• Your fuse board, to check for a spare circuit
• Your walls, so we know whether they're stud or solid.

A water cooled system will cool your room to the same temperature as a conventional system, typically around 18°C. Most people find that too cold, so we recommend setting it to 21–23°C.

The air coming out of the unit is typically 10–12°C cooler than the air in the room. If your room is 26°C when you switch on, the air from the unit will be around 14–16°C.

The temperature you set on the remote is the room temperature you want, not the temperature of the air from the unit. Setting it lower won't make the air coming from the unit colder; this is determined by the temperature of the air entering the system.

The ideal temperature for a home varies depending on personal preference, but setting your air conditioning unit between 21 °c and 23°C offers a great balance of comfort and energy efficiency. It’s worth adjusting your system slightly to discover what feels best for you.

Yes it can help. Our indoor units have washable filters and technology that can purify the air by capturing dust, moisture, bacteria, and airborne pathogens.

With the air conditioning on, you can also keep the windows shut, which keeps out traffic fumes and street noise. That's especially useful if you live in a busy or polluted urban area.

To keep the filters working well, clean them regularly and have the system serviced once a year.

Yes, our air conditioning systems can help to reduce humidity in your property. Not only does water cooled air conditioning blow cool air into your property, it also removes heat and humidity by passing the air through cooling coils. This helps to remove extra moisture from the air so it doesn’t feel so humid.

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We recommend taking a look through our frequently asked questions, as we’ve answered the most common questions our customers have asked over the years here. However, if you do have a very specific question or a question you still can’t find the answer to, please complete our enquiry form, including your question in the message box, or give us a call on 020 8080 9708.

Yes, especially if your property overheats every summer. You’ve spent money making it your own and a place you enjoy being, but every summer it turns into a greenhouse. By early afternoon the rooms are in the high twenties and they’re still holding the heat at midnight. This used to be a two-week heatwave problem, but now it goes on for months, from May through to September.

With air conditioning, you can:

1. Sleep through the night. From the moment you go to bed until your alarm goes off, your bedroom stays whatever temperature you set it to. The windows stay shut, you no longer wake up at two in the morning to kick the covers off, and instead you wake up feeling rested and ready for the day ahead.
2. Work through the whole afternoon. Your property stays cool right through the afternoon, so the second half of your day is as productive as the first. The day you planned is the day you actually have, and you’re no longer spending the rest of the week catching up on work you couldn’t get done.
3. Enjoy your property all year round. Even on the hottest days of the summer, your home becomes the place you want to wind down and relax at the end of the day. You no longer feel like you’re trying to escape your own home, and most importantly, you’re finally getting the full use of the property you paid for.
4. Earn more from your property. If you let your property out, your tenants stay cool and comfortable through even the hottest months, setting it apart in city centre blocks where overheating is one of the most common complaints. You’re no longer fielding complaints about the heat or losing tenants at the end of the summer, and instead your property lets more easily, tenants stay longer and you can charge more rent.

It depends on what you’re allowed to put on the outside of your building:

• If no outdoor unit is allowed (most apartments, listed buildings and conservation areas), our water-cooled air conditioning system is the best solution. It’s fully internal, with nothing on the outside of your building.
• If you’re able to install an outdoor unit on a balcony or outdoor space, our Incognito® air conditioning system is the best solution. Its slim outdoor condenser coil blends into your exterior.

Still not sure? Try our 30-second A/C Solution Finder.

Our offices are open Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm.

At Urban Cooling we have over 40 years of combined experience in air conditioning installation across residential, commercial, retail, and leisure spaces. We specialise in air conditioning for properties that can't have a conventional outdoor unit (mainly apartments and listed buildings), and it's all we've done for over 10 years. 

If you read our reviews, our customers consistently highlight our professionalism, expertise, and fast, mess-free installations. But if you’re still not convinced, here are six reasons why you should choose us:

1. Match Your Decor, Even When You Redecorate. Don't settle for a white plastic box on your wall that nearly every other air conditioning installer sells. Our Urban Designer range features changeable textile covers in either standard or bespoke colours to match your room's decor. When it's time to redecorate, you're not stuck with the colour you chose three years ago. Prefer not to see a unit at all? Our ducted systems sit concealed behind a discreet grille.
2. Try Before You Buy. Air conditioning is a big decision to make online. At our demonstration centre, you can see every option running before you commit to anything. All our wall units, concealed ducted systems, and designer covers are on display. Listen to how quiet our systems actually are, and compare them side by side.
3. Like for Like Price Match Promise. Our range of air conditioning solutions are all competitively priced within the market. You’ll be hard pushed to find another supplier who has an equivalent solution (system & wall unit) at a lower price, but if you do, just let us know and we’ll match their price! Just send us a copy of their quotation and we guarantee to match the price!
4. No Leftover Holes, Marks or Mess - Guaranteed! We offer a complete service, including any 'making good' afterwards. During the installation process, if any small holes are required to be cut for access, our quotes include a 'making good' element to restore your property to its original condition. Unlike other suppliers, we take responsibility for these repairs, alleviating the need for you to handle them yourself.
5. Designed and Assembled in the UK. We're proud that all our condenser units meet not only the UK Conformity Assessment (UKCA) standards but also the quality benchmarks we set ourselves. To maintain this high standard, our in-house engineers in the UK design and assemble all our condenser units, guaranteeing the quality of every system we supply for installation. It also means that if anything ever needs attention, you're not passed back and forth between an installer and a manufacturer.
6. 1000+ Installs by Approved F-Gas Installers. We've completed well over 1000 installations across the UK, all carried out by our own team of F-Gas registered engineers who work professionally and discreetly in your home. We're also approved installers for Panasonic and Toshiba, having met their technical and service quality standards.

We’ve been installing fully internal water cooled air conditioning systems for over 10 years. In that time we've completed over 1,000 installations in apartments, listed buildings and homes across England, primarily in London and the South East. Our long-standing experience and customer satisfaction are reflected in the 450+ positive reviews from our happy customers.

We mainly install across London and the South East, including Surrey, Kent, Essex, Windsor and Reading. We also cover Manchester, Birmingham and  Leeds.

If your property is somewhere else in the UK, get in touch anyway. We may still be able to help.

We connect each indoor unit to the condenser unit using two insulated refrigerant pipes and communication cables, which run through access holes we cut into the plasterboard. We then do the same to connect up the outdoor Condenser Coil, also using two insulated refrigerant pipes and communication cables. Once fitted, the system is then pressure tested, and the plasterboard access holes are re-installed.

We complete your installation by fully testing and commissioning the system, before providing you with a demonstration. You may require a decorator to fill and paint the access holes that have been created during the installation. We can either put you in touch with one of our recommended decorators or you can source your own.

Yes, it is possible to have an Incognito air conditioning system with just one indoor unit. However, since the compressor box and condenser coil are essentially the same as those used in a two-port condenser, the price for a single unit option is slightly higher than that of a single-system water-cooled equivalent.

Our Incognito® system starts from £8,820 for two Urban Signature wall-mounted units.

Guide prices:

• Urban Signature: £8,820 (2 rooms) to £12,300 (3 rooms)
• Urban Designer: £9,870 (2 rooms) to £13,200 (3 rooms)
• Urban Ducted: £11,070 (2 rooms) to £14,400 (3 rooms)

Your exact price depends on your property, so we'll give you an accurate quote after a free video consultation.

We offer a range of indoor room units to choose from as part of our Incognito® system, these include:

• (Wall-mounted) Urban Signature - A sleek, compact flat-panel unit available in white, delivering A++ energy efficiency and Wi-Fi connectivity as standard, ideal for any room where a discreet, high-performance solution is required.
• (Wall-mounted) Urban Designer - Combining modern design with high functionality. These wall-mounted units feature swappable textile covers, allowing you to customise the unit to match your room's decor.
• Urban Ducted - Maintain a seamless look within your property by choosing a ducted unit hidden behind a modern and minimalist grill.

The Incognito® is very energy efficient in both heating and cooling modes with an Energy Efficient Class and Label rating of A++.

With our Incognito® system you can choose a ready-made screen design for the outdoor condenser coil, or design your own, so it blends in with your balcony or wall. Inside your property, you can pick the indoor unit style and colour, including fabric covers on the Urban Designer, to suit your home.

The Incognito® system is ideal for apartments and homes with a balcony or outdoor space, where you're allowed to install an outdoor unit, but don't want a bulky box to ruin the aesthetic of your property. The system is ideal if you want to cool one and two rooms within your property.

If you can't install anything on the outside of your property due to planning permission or building restrictions, our fully internal water cooled system is the perfect solution for you.

In certain instances planning permission would be required to install the Incognito® system. We do advise that you check this prior to making an enquiry. If you can't have anything on the outside, our water cooled system is fully internal and doesn't need planning permission.

There are four main benefits to the Incognito® air conditioning system over standard air conditioning.

1. A Modern and Customisable Design. Unlike standard systems our Incognito® system has been created with visual aesthetic at the forefront of its design. With a selection of high quality indoor wall units, including our Urban Designer wall unit which you can customise with your own fabric, and a range of pre- made Condenser screen designs for you to choose from, as well as the option to design your own.
2. Takes up very little space. traditional external condenser in two parts, an external condenser coil and internal compressor box, to allow the system to seamlessly integrate into your property and occupy minimal space.
3. Cools and heats efficiently. Rated A++ for energy efficiency, the system cools or heats up to three rooms. you will also have the added benefit of being able to independently control the temperature in each room when in either cooling or heating modes. (please note that the system can either cool or heat all rooms at the same time, not a mix of both.)
4. Whisper quiet. The outdoor condenser coil runs at around 35dB and the compressor box at 44–49dB, about as loud as a quiet washing machine. We can fit it in a cupboard or add an acoustic jacket to quieten it further.

Neither is better overall. The right choice depends on what you’re allowed to put on the outside of your building.The water cooled system is fully internal, with nothing on the outside. It’s the right choice if your lease, freeholder or listing doesn’t allow an outdoor unit, and it can cool up to five rooms.the Incognito® system has a slim outdoor condenser coil that blends into your exterior. If you’re able to install an outdoor unit on a balcony or outdoor space, it’s a good option for up to three rooms.

Not sure which applies to you? Our A/C Solution Finder will tell you in 30 seconds.

The Incognito® system delivers the same performance as conventional air conditioning units, as essentially the system uses all the same elements. However, in our Incognito® system, these elements are split up and seamlessly integrated into your property.

Our Incognito® system works in the same way as a conventional air conditioning system, except the condenser has been split into two components:A compressor box, which goes inside in a cupboard or utility room (or outside if you prefer) a slim condenser coil located externally, such as a balcony or garden space.

The compressor box and condenser coil are then connected via refrigerant pipework to the internal wall units that discharge the conditioned air.

Yes, our water cooled air conditioning units do need to be serviced to ensure they operate efficiently and last as long as possible. 

We recommend a service once a year to keep your system running efficiently and to extend your warranty. Our aftercare team cleans, tests and checks the system.

Annual servicing costs:

• £200 + VAT for one to three indoor units
• £250 + VAT for four to seven indoor units
• £300 + VAT for eight or more indoor units

Prices may vary depending on how many condensers you have.

As long as the system is serviced annually by our engineers to ensure it is functioning correctly and efficiently, post-installation repairs should not be necessary.

If anything does go wrong with your system, contact our aftersales team.

No, our water cooled systems only use water inside the condenser unit, and only refrigerant flows through the pipework connecting the condenser to your indoor units, so water never leaves the condenser.

If one of the connecting pipes were damaged, the only thing released would be refrigerant, which evaporates into the air. As there’s no water in the pipes, there’s no risk of a water leak or water damage.

All of our water cooled condensers are manufactured to the highest standards, with all internal components fully brazed to minimise the risk of leaks. In practice, this makes the likelihood of a water leak similar to that of a washing machine or dishwasher already in your home.

If something goes wrong with your system contact our aftersales team on 020 8080 9708. We’ll then send a senior engineer to find and fix the problem as soon as we can.

Our systems come with 12 months' parts and labour warranty as standard. This warranty can then be extended by an additional two years, covering both parts and labour, followed by a further two years with parts-only coverage.

Very reliable. We’ve been installing fully internal water cooled air conditioning systems for over 10 years and have completed more than 1,000 installations, from city-centre one-bed apartments to listed buildings valued at over £5 million. Our 450+ reviews show how we’ve transformed the properties of customers who were once in the same position as you.

Our units are designed and assembled in the UK to UKCA standards, and we keep parts in stock. Every system is fitted and maintained by our own engineers and dedicated aftercare team.

Like any air conditioning system, ours need servicing to run efficiently and last as long as possible, so we recommend a professional service once a year. Regular maintenance prevents breakdowns, improves performance and keeps your system running reliably for years.

Yes, we provide a comprehensive parts and labour warranty for 12 months for all of our air conditioning systems. This warranty can then be extended by an additional two years, covering both parts and labour, followed by a further two years with parts-only coverage. The warranty extension is subject to an annual service being completed by our aftercare and maintenance team, where it is cleaned, tested, and inspected.Our annual maintenance charges are as follows:

• £200 + VAT for one to three indoor units
• £250 + VAT for four to seven indoor units
• £300 + VAT for eight + units

(Prices subject to change depending on how many condensers are installed)

There are two ways to book a video consultation, either:

• Complete and submit our Video Consultation Request form. One of our team will then contact you to confirm our surveyors availability and book your consultation appointment.
• Call us on 020 8080 9708 and our team will arrange a date and time for your appointment that suits you.

The consultation is free, takes about 20 minutes, and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation.

Following the video consultation, our surveyor will work out the right size of units for each room and prepare a quote tailored to your property. We'll email it to you, usually within 72 hours of your video consultation.

Our video consultation is a short call on WhatsApp or FaceTime, usually about 20 minutes, where you'll show the surveyor the rooms you'd like cooled, and where you'd like the units, including the condenser, to go. Have a tape measure handy for a few measurements, and any questions you’d like to ask.

Afterwards, your surveyor will send you a quote for your property and specific air conditioning requirements.

Once you've accepted your quote, we'll schedule an in-person survey at your property. During this pre-installation survey, the surveyor will confirm your properties details to ensure there are no surprises on installation day and explain exactly what to expect during the installation process.

If everything’s good to go, we’ll confirm your final price and send you a 75% deposit invoice. In the rare event that additional work is identified during the survey, we’ll update your quote accordingly before proceeding.

Every property is different, so we can't give an accurate quote online. The price depends on several things, including the number of rooms you want to cool, the size of condenser needed and the structure of your property.

As a guide, our Urban Signature range of fully internal water cooled systems starts from £4,840.

To get an accurate quote, just follow these simple steps:

1. Book your free video consultation. Fill in our short Video Consultation Request form and one of our team will get back to you to arrange a time.
2. ‍Video consultation (20 minutes). On a WhatsApp or FaceTime call, you'll show one of our surveyors the rooms you'd like cooled, take a few measurements and talk through where you'd like the units. Afterwards, we'll send you a quote tailored to your property.‍
3. Pre-installation survey. Once you've accepted your quote, we'll visit your property to confirm the technical details, so there are no surprises on installation day.

To book your free video consultation, click here.

To install the wall mounted units and the pipework we do need to cut small in the walls of your property. These holes are hidden behind the wall-mounted units and will not be seen.

In properties with solid walls, the pipework can either be chased into the wall to hide the pipework inside, which creates a bit more dust. or neatly boxed in using plastic trunking. Our surveyor will recommend the best option for your wall construction.

In most cases, our water cooled air conditioning installation will require our engineers to cut small holes in the ceiling, to run pipework from the indoor units to the condenser unit. While our engineers will replace the plasterboard, you will need to fill and paint over these holes. This requirement is noted in our quotation.

We can introduce you to one of our trusted decorators, or you can use your own. Our decorators usually charge:

• £350 for 1 to 3 holes
• £400 for 4 to 6 holes
• £450 for 7 to 9 holes
• £650 for 10 to 12 holes
• £700 for 13 to 15 holes

The holes will be repaired and repainted only not the whole area - this is payable direct to the decorator and not through us (you do have the option of using your own decorator should you wish to do so).

We kindly ask that any wall decorations and furniture are removed from the area that our engineers will be working in prior to the installation. Our insurance doesn't allow our engineers to move them, in case of accidental damage.

Once your installation is booked, we'll send you a pre-installation guide with everything else you need to know.

No. Every system we sell is installed by our own engineers, and every purchase includes full professional installation. By law, anyone connecting refrigerant pipework must be F-Gas certified, and a professional installation is what makes your warranty valid.

We allow about a day per indoor unit. Smaller jobs in new build flats can often be finished quicker, but we build in a little extra time in case of anything unexpected, so we never have to rush.

All of our installations are completed by our own installation team. All of our engineers are experienced, F-Gas registered and employed by Urban Cooling, not subcontracted.

You can book your installation as soon as your deposit is paid. In quieter months, we can sometimes install within a few weeks. In spring and summer, demand is high, so waiting times are longer. If you'd like it in before the summer, we recommend booking early, normally before April.

If you’re renovating your property, we recommend scheduling the first fix installation as early as possible, ideally right after stud walls are in place. This timing helps with planning the air conditioning pipework alongside other trades like plumbing and electrical.

We use professional cutting and dust extraction systems, put down dust sheets and cover your furniture. However, we just want to give you a heads-up that some airborne dust may still settle on your furniture, which can be easily cleaned with a duster.

The water cooled condenser can not be installed on a balcony, as it needs a mains water supply and a drain, which balconies don't usually have.

If you're allowed to install an external unit, our Incognito® air conditioning system is designed for balconies. Its slim condenser coil blends into your exterior. To learn more about our Incognito® system click here.

Yes. The compressor inside uses an oil lubricant that needs to stay at the bottom of the unit to work properly, so the condenser must always stand upright.

Our water cooled condenser units require a minimum clearance of 15 cm on the right-hand side for pipework and 10 cm above the unit to allow the lid to be removed during maintenance and servicing.

The condenser unit needs to be installed in a location with access to a mains water supply, a waste drain connection, and sufficient clearance around the unit for pipework and maintenance.

From our experience of installing over 1,000 of these water cooled systems the following areas within an apartment or flat are ideal for installing the condenser unit:

• In a utility room
• Under a sink
• In an airing, boiler or storage cupboard
• In a kitchen unit

Yes, our systems are able to be installed over multiple floors as long as the height does not exceed 8 metres from the condenser to the indoor room units. We can also cool up to five rooms with one of our internal condensers.

Our fully internal water cooled system doesn’t require an external unit or any modifications to the property’s exterior at all.

Installation is straightforward and takes on average one day per indoor unit, carried out by one of our own engineering teams.

First, we install the condenser. It's connected to your water mains, drainage and electrical supply, and its compact design means it can be concealed in a utility room or cupboard.

Next, the indoor units go in. These can be wall mounted, floor mounted or ducted, and we fit one in each room you want cooled. We agree the best position for each at the video consultation stage, so your property is cooled as efficiently as possible.

Finally, we connect everything together. Two insulated refrigerant pipes and a communication cable run between each indoor unit and the condenser, through small access holes cut into the plasterboard. We then pressure test the system and make good the access holes.

Once that's done, we fully test and commission the system, and talk you through how to use it before we leave.

We connect each indoor unit to the condenser unit using two insulated refrigerant pipes and communication cables, which run through access holes we cut into the plasterboard. Once fitted, the system is then pressure tested, and the plasterboard access holes are re-installed.

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We complete your installation by fully testing and commissioning the system, before providing you with a demonstration.

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You may require a decorator to sand, fill and paint the access holes that have been created during the installation. We can either put you in touch with one of our recommended decorators or you can source your own. If you choose to use one of our decorators, this will cost £350 for up to 10 access holes and would be payable directly to them.

We accept all major debit and credit cards. However, we can also accept payment via bank transfer if this is easier for you.

We do not offer finance payment options for our air conditioning systems.

Upon accepting our quotation, we kindly ask for a 75% deposit to place the materials and units on order and to secure your installation slot. The remaining 25% will be invoiced to you upon completion of the commissioning of the system.

Yes, there are two scenarios where we offer discounts:

• Referral: introduce a neighbour to us by an introduction email. If they go ahead, we'll pay you £150.
• Group discount: if a group of neighbours order together, each of you can save up to 10%, depending on the size of the group. The only condition is that all members of the group must have their installations carried out simultaneously.

Less than most people expect. For example, our 3kW air conditioning condenser typically uses only around 1kW of electricity, thanks to its efficient inverter technology.

To calculate the running cost of air conditioning, take the rated output of the condenser we’ve quoted (e.g. 3kW), divide it by three (1kW), and that gives you an estimate of the kilowatt-hours used per hour at full power. Multiply that figure by your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour to get an idea of the hourly cost.

Our systems are also inverter-controlled, which means they automatically adjust power usage as the room approaches your desired temperature. This smart control reduces energy consumption further, lowering the running cost of your air conditioning over time

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Your quote covers the units, the installation and commissioning of the system. There are two things it doesn't include::

1. An electrician, if you need a power supply for the condenser. Our recommended electrician typically charges £150 + VAT for a switched spur, or £300–£350 + VAT to wire into your fuse board. They'll give you an electrical installation certificate under Part P of the Building Regulations.
2. A decorator, to fill and paint the small patches where we've worked. You can use your own electrician or you can use our recommended decorator. If you do use our recommended decorator you’ll pay them directly. We don't add anything to their charges.

Conventional split systems are mass-produced in huge numbers, often in China which keeps prices down. Our water cooled condensers are designed and assembled in the UK and produced in much smaller numbers. This ensures top-notch quality and supports local craftsmanship, which we believe is worth every penny.

It's also worth comparing like for like. A cheaper split-system quote isn't a quote for your flat if your lease or listing doesn't allow an outdoor unit. It's a quote for a system you can't install.

Our water cooled systems start from £4,840 for a single Urban Signature wall unit, or £5,210 with an Urban Designer unit. The price of our water cooled system depends on how many rooms you want to cool and the type of units you choose.

For an accurate quote, book a free, no-obligation video consultation.

Should you wish to upgrade your current system and want to add additional indoor units at a later date, this is possible. However, it would need to be discussed with one of our surveyors during your video consultation. This will allow our surveyor to choose the correct condenser for the upgrade.

The system is very easy to use and can be controlled either using the remote control, or via our app anywhere with WiFi. Set a temperature for the system to cool the rooms to and it will automatically switch off when it reaches that setpoint temperature.

If you're wondering how noisy air conditioning units are, you'll be pleased to know that our internal wall-mounted systems are among the quietest on the market, operating from just 19 dB(A).

Urban Designer: 19 - 22 Db(A)

Urban Signature: 19 - 37 Db(A)

Our water-cooled condensers are also very quiet, similar to the sound of a quiet washing machine. We can also line the inside of the utility-cupboard door with egg-shell acoustic foam to absorb the sound further.

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Our Urban Designer wall unit has swappable fabric covers in six ready-made colours, or you can design your own to match your interior:

• Bluish Grey
• Light Grey
• Emerald Blue
• Dark Brown
• Dark Grey
• Grey Beige

Our Urban Signature wall unit comes in white.

The size of the wall-mounted unit depends on the room's cooling capacity requirements. Our wall units range from about 770mm to 1,050mm wide. The Urban Designer is 300mm high, 980mm wide and 210mm deep.

One of our surveyors will recommend the right size for each room at your video consultation.

Our showroom is located in Chatham, Kent and visits are by appointment only. To view air conditioning units near you, call us on 020 8080 9708 to arrange a time.

Yes, ducted air conditioning systems can be installed above the ceiling, but your property must have a false ceiling void of at least 250mm to accommodate the ducted unit and associated ductwork. This setup allows for a sleek, hidden installation, ideal for maintaining a clean and modern interior.

If you’d like your ducted air conditioning system fully concealed behind a minimalist grille for a seamless finish, this option is available at an additional cost of £1,200 per unit.

When selecting the best indoor air conditioning unit, it's important to consider your style preferences, budget, and the layout of your property.

Wall-mounted units are the most popular choice. They cost less to buy and run, and come in a range of sizes and colours.

Ducted units sit hidden in the ceiling, with only a slim grille on show. They need a ceiling void of at least 250mm and cost more to install.

Our surveyor will help you choose at your video consultation.

We offer a range of indoor air conditioning units that connect to the water cooled condenser and Incognito® air conditioning systems. These include wall-mounted, floor-mounted or ducted units.

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We offer three types of wall-mounted units:

1. Urban Designer - Combining modern design with high functionality. These wall-mounted units feature swappable textile covers, allowing you to customise the unit to match your room's decor.
2. Urban Signature - This range connects our system to Toshiba's Seiya wall-mounted units. This line boasts a sleek and compact flat-panel design.‍
3. Urban Ducted - Maintain a seamless look within your property by choosing a ducted unit hidden behind a modern and minimalist grill.

Yes, our water cooled condensers are compatible with any water softener. We simply take a water feed before the softener, as this helps to reduce salt consumption within the device.

Our recommended water pressure is about 1.5bar. Most modern flats and apartments built in the last 30 years will have a boosted mains water supply and therefore should not have any issues. In older properties, on rare occasions water pressure can be low. If this is the case in your property this will need to be highlighted to one of our surveyors during your pre-installation survey. They will then be able to take a deeper look and advise accordingly.

Water cooled air conditioning only requires a water supply at the condensing unit, it is refrigerant pipework that connects the condenser and indoor units together, no water flows around the pipework.

Yes, in some cases. The water leaving the system has been heated to around 45–50°C, so it can be reused. We can connect the unit to a large hot water storage cylinder, which lets you use the heated water for a shower or bath.

However, this isn't always practical, as hot water cylinders take up a lot of space and add to the installation cost, so we’ll let you know at your survey whether it’s an option for your home.

If your building has a communal heating system or a chilled water circuit, our water-cooled condenser can connect to it with no wastewater at all. This is dependent on the water flow temperatures running through those systems, which we’ll check at your survey.

It’s hard to give an exact figure, as water usage depends on several factors:

Setpoint temperature: The cooler you set the room, the more water the system uses. Cooling a room to 18°C uses more water than our recommended setting of 22–23°C.

Outdoor temperature: The hotter it is outside the more heat is being transferred from the outdoor air to the cooler room being air conditioned, therefore the system’s water consumption increases to remove it.

Building construction: How your property is built affects how much heat it gains and holds. A building with a lot of glass and thermal insulation will absorb external heat and retain it in the building for longer.

Incoming water temperature: The system uses cold water to cool the refrigerant. The colder the incoming water, the less of it is needed to remove the latent heat from the refrigerant.

Running time: A system left on all day will use much more water than one switched on for a few hours to cool a bedroom before bed.

As a guide: an average 5m x 4m bedroom with a typical amount of glazing, insulated to modern building regulations, would need a 2kW indoor unit and a condenser unit. With an outdoor temperature of 27°C and an incoming water temperature of 12°C, the condenser would use around 40 litres of water per hour to cool the room to 22°C.

Our condenser units only use water while they’re actively cooling. Once the room reaches its setpoint, the condenser switches off. Maintaining that temperature typically needs only 20–30 minutes of running time per hour, so water use drops once the room has cooled.

No. Water only runs through the condenser unit and never leaves it. The pipework connecting the condenser to your indoor units only carries refrigerant.

This means that even if one of the connecting pipes were damaged, there’s no risk of a water leak or water damage, as there’s no water in the pipes. The only thing released would be refrigerant, which evaporates into the air. refrigerant gas flows through the interconnecting pipework, no water passes through the pipes connecting the wall units.

An air conditioning system has to get rid of the heat it takes out of your rooms. A conventional system does this with an outdoor unit that blows the heat into the outside air. Our system uses mains water to carry this heat away instead. That's why the system is fully internal.

The pipework runs between your indoor units and the condenser, which is usually located in a utility cupboard. A pair of insulated pipes (flow and return) is routed above a false ceiling to connect them. These pipes only carry refrigerant, so no water from the condenser flows through them.A communication cable and condensate drain are installed alongside the pipework. The condensate drain carries away the condensation the indoor units remove from the air.

Our internal air conditioning condensers typically use 12mm and 6mm pipework to connect to the indoor units. The water connections for our water cooled condenser are 22mm for both the inlet and outlet.

The refrigerant pipework is wrapped in 9mm-thick insulation to improve system efficiency. This gives an overall diameter of 30mm for the 12mm pipe and 24mm for the 6mm pipe.

Thanks to its efficient inverter technology, our 3kW condenser typically uses only around 1kW of electricity at full power.

To estimate how much electricity a system will use, divide the condenser’s rated output by three. For example, a 3kW condenser uses around 1kWh per hour at full power, and a 6kW condenser uses around 2kWh.As the system is inverter-controlled, it automatically reduces its power as the room approaches your chosen temperature, so in practice it uses even less electricity over time.

Our fully internal air conditioning systems require an electrical power supply for the condenser unit. The specific requirements depend on the system’s capacity:

• Condensers under 5.2kW require a 13A switched spur.
• Condensers over 5.2kW require a dedicated circuit from your fuse board, typically 25A or 32A.

The condenser runs at around 49dB, about as loud as a quiet washing machine. And because it sits in a cupboard or utility room, you won't hear it from your bedroom or living room.

If it's close to where you sleep or work, we can line the cupboard door with acoustic foam to quieten it further. The indoor units are quieter still, from 19dB(A).

We provide a wide range of condensers capable of supplying cooling for between one and five indoor units. This means that our most advanced condenser can effectively cool up to five separate rooms simultaneously.