Installation, maintenance, and ongoing operating costs for air conditioning systems
So what now? What you need to take into account when installing an air conditioning system
After careful consideration, you have decided to purchase a split system. But what does the installation process look like? Are any structural changes to the building required? How complex is system maintenance? This article is dedicated to these and other questions regarding installation and ongoing operation of an air conditioning system.
The basic prerequisites for an air conditioning system
1. Official authorization
Since split units have a permanently installed outdoor unit, installing them is considered a structural change. Official authorization must therefore always be obtained before installation. The rules for this may vary depending on the country or region.
The authorities mainly consider noise emissions and the visual appearance. The focus is particularly on the latter when it comes to roadside installation and this must be clarified with the responsible public body. The outdoor unit's noise level must also not exceed certain limit values. This issue is particularly sensitive when it comes to buildings subject to preservation orders or in protection zones – so it is therefore important to inform the authorities promptly.
If the air conditioning system is to be used at commercial premises, it may also need to be approved as plant equipment.
2. The Austrian Residential Property Act (Wohnungseigentumsrecht) or Austrian Tenancy Act (Mietrechtsgesetz)
In apartment buildings, the permission of other apartment owners or the tenant must be obtained in addition to the building authorities.
Once the legal hurdles have been gotten out of the way, there is ultimately nothing else standing in the way of installation.
How installing a split air conditioning system works
To be able to ensure correct operation and a service life spanning many years, it is highly recommended to have your new air conditioning system installed by professionals. Last but not least, the outdoor and indoor unit(s) should be positioned correctly in consultation with specialists in order to lay the statutory, technical, and functional foundations for optimum operation of the air conditioning system.
Installation of a split system in a private residential building is usually complete in a few hours. However, it may take slightly longer depending on the labor required and the number of indoor units.
Simply put, installation of a split air conditioning system consists of:
- fitting the compressor outdoors and
- the heat exchanger indoors
- and connecting both units using refrigerant piping as well as establishing a connection to the power grid.
Once the positioning of the units can been clarified in advance, the bore holes required for this will be drilled and the system mounted. Afterwards, the air in the refrigerant pipe is pumped out and replaced with refrigerant and piping is checked for leaks.
Installation of an air conditioning system
Basic steps to follow when installing a split air conditioning system:
- Choosing the site: Identify the best place for the indoor unit (evaporation unit) and the outdoor unit (condensation unit). The indoor unit should be mounted in a room that cools the desired rooms, while the outdoor unit is installed at a well-ventilated location that provides enough space for air flow.
- Drilling and pipe and cable routing: Drill a hole in the wall to route the refrigerant piping and the electrical cables between the two units. Make sure that the piping and cables are carefully insulated to ensure energy efficiency and safety.
- Installing the indoor unit: Fasten the wall holder for the indoor unit on the wall. Hang the indoor unit on the holder and ensure that it is stable and horizontal.
- Installing the outdoor unit: Place the outdoor unit on a foundation at ground level or on specially designed holders. Ensure that the outdoor unit is on a stable surface and provides enough air flow for heat dissipation.
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Connecting the piping and cables: Connect the refrigerant piping, the drainage hoses, and the electrical cables between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. This requires a careful connection and the use of leak tests to ensure that there are no leakages.
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Vacuum test and refrigerant filling: A vacuum test is performed to ensure that the system is free of air and moisture. The refrigerant is then filled according to the manufacturer's specifications.
- Electrical wiring: Connect the power supply for the air conditioning system and ensure that all electrical connections have been established properly.
- Commissioning and test: Switch the air conditioning system on and check whether it is working properly. This includes setting the temperature and checking all functions.
- User guide and maintenance: Give the customer a user guide to ensure proper use and maintenance of the air conditioning system. Explain how filters are cleaned or replaced and recommend regular maintenance services.
Why does the air conditioning system have to be serviced?
There are lots of good reasons for regular servicing: This ensures both proper operation of the unit and therefore system durability as well as health aspects. If the individual components are not cleaned regularly and the filters are not changed, germs and bacteria may build up and therefore negatively impact the air quality and even health as a result.
If the filters are dirty, the air conditioning system performance will also be negatively impacted. This subsequently results in increased power consumption and therefore increased costs.
To ensure proper functioning over many years, the split system should therefore be subject to regular maintenance. As a rule of thumb, this maintenance should be carried out once a year. Depending on its installation location and use, shorter intervals may be advisable, for example in rooms with high levels of air pollution or in the healthcare sector.
A brief overview of the individual servicing steps:
- Top up or replacement of refrigerant
- Leak test
- Function check
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Filter change
- Replacement of wearing parts
- Entry in the inspection book
Is it worth investing in an air conditioning system?
Considerations for a cost-benefit analysis. One thing is clear – the money needed to purchase a split system does not cover all the costs needed to ensure you can keep a cool head at home, even when it's hot in summer. To ensure a reliable estimate of the overall costs of operating your new air conditioning system, we will therefore list the various budgetary items at this point.
These are:
- Purchasing the single/multi-split system
The purchasing costs depend on the size, model, and area of use. A multi-split system with multiple indoor units is of course more expensive than a simple split unit in which only an individual room is cooled.
The required size can therefore by calculated by a specialist using a "cooling load calculation". Various variables such as room size, sunlight, and heat sources are included in this. - Professional installation and commissioning
The costs of installation depend on the project complexity. Is easy installation possible or is the location hard to access? How many units should be installed and how long is the refrigerant piping? What is the condition of the building structure? A professional installation company can assist you here. - Ongoing costs: Power consumption and maintenance
The split system fully comes into its own here, as a state-of-the-art split unit's efficiency is significantly higher compared to mobile air conditioners.
This is primarily due to the fact that windows and doors remain closed during operation and therefore no warm air flows indoors from the outside. This reduces the power consumption significantly and is a key argument for making the purchase despite the initial higher costs of purchase and installation.
Regular maintenance ultimately enables clean and efficient use over many years. The costs for this regular maintenance are manageable in the case of state-of-the-art air conditioning systems.
Summary – served ice cold
Once you have gone down the official channels, installing and maintaining a split system is easier than you might think at the start. Due to the systems' high level of efficiency, the higher costs for purchase and installation pay for themselves in no time compared to a mobile air conditioner.
The current models from TOSHIBA are state of the art and are produced according to the highest quality standards, something which can be seen in the units' high durability and which keeps the maintenance costs extremely manageable.
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