Removal of fitted Air Con system?

[Stoli]

Hi Everyone - first time poster here! I have landed at this site when searching for various issues and plans for our house so thanks already.

We have moved into a house and are in the process of regeneration inside. One thing we want to do is remove the installed air conditioning system.

There is the box outside on the wall (which is the main visual issue!) and the fan unit inside.

We want it removed mainly for aesthetic reasons, plus we don't think we will use it anyway.

My questions are as follows...

1) although I won't be doing this myself, how easy/quick are they to remove by someone who knows what they are doing?

2) how much would a professional charge to do this roughly?

3) is there a market for 2nd hand equipment?

Thanks all!

 

[bolshy]

Are you sure it's just air conditioning, and not an air source heat unit?
Either way, they're generally installed and running in a day. Should be about the same or less to remove. Any refrigerant needs to be reclaimed before they are removed.
Call a couple of firms for quotes. If the equipment is working, someone will buy it.

Edited for spelling mistake

 

[Stoli]

Thanks for your response!

I don't know anything about these systems but its is definitely air con as it cools - but there was mention of "Heat Pump" too... what is this?

 

[dcawkwell]

keep it.
You will thank me in the summer.
They also work well as a heater in the winter.
Wouldn't be without mine I have 3.

To remove you can disconnect the hoses but legally it needs
an air con guy to come around and pump out the refridgerant from
the units.

 

[bolshy]

Yes, as posted "air source heat" in basic terms is air con working in reverse, taking heat from the air outside and dumping it inside the house from the fan unit. Good for heating large spaces quickly too.

 

[scoobydo123]

Some as well if it is a DIY fit will not loose gas there is a quick connector that seals the refrigerent from escaping. You will know if it is this type as there will be a large quick connector lever arrangement. Perhaps post a picture on here of both the indoor and outdoor unit.

 

[Stoli]

keep it.
You will thank me in the summer.

I kinda feel like getting shot of it just to tempt fate, and give us all a hot summer this year!!!!!!?? You may be thanking me then!

Im going to way up my options and if needs be get someone in to remove it. I personally thought there's no harm in keeping it in, even just to use once in a blue moon, but she has decided they are an eyesore on the side of the house. I guess shes right [/i]

 

[RickyLee53]

I've just installed mine and its very good, Doesn't look great outside, but neither does my wheeliebin and I wouldn't remove that either.

Mine warms very well, and means I have less rads.

 

[Onetap]

You'd be daft to remove it just because it looks unsightly, especially if it was recently-installed or is a reversible cycle machine that can operate as an air source heat pump. Look for the manufacturer's name and model number and look up the manual on the internet.

It's there for some reason; at a guess the room might face south and have large windows and may turn out to be very hot in summer, although that may not be apparent in the current weather.

An air source heat pump will usually deliver about 3kW of heat for every 1kW of electricity consumed, under favourable conditions. If there's no mains gas, that is worth having.

 

[RickyLee53]

You'd be daft to remove it just because it looks unsightly, especially if it was recently-installed or is a reversible cycle machine that can operate as an air source heat pump. Look for the manufacturer's name and model number and look up the manual on the internet.

It's there for some reason; at a guess the room might face south and have large windows and may turn out to be very hot in summer, although that may not be apparent in the current weather.

An air source heat pump will usually deliver about 3kW of heat for every 1kW of electricity consumed, under favourable conditions. If there's no mains gas, that is worth having.

Indeed, we heat a 140m^3 room with about 2kw of a/c.

 

[SimonH2]

Usually there are isolation valves on the outdoor unit, and if the unit is working then it's possible to pump down the system so the refrigerant is trapped entirely in the outdoor unit. The normal procedure is to run the system on flat out cooling, close the valve on the smaller liquid line, wait until the unit trips, and close the valve on the larger vapour line. The refrigerant is now trapped in the outdoor unit - assuming the valves seal properly.

This is how most systems are supplied - pre-loaded with refrigerant in teh outdoor unit, but with the pipe connections capped to seal them. To commission, the installer pumps down the pipework and internal unit with a vacuum pump*, then opens the valves to let the gas round.

There's a lot less magic to AC than many would have you believe, but you still need to know what you are doing.

* This does two things, it proves the system is gas tight, and it removes any moisture which can freeze and block the system.


PS - I'd be keeping it as well if it works.