I've been looking at air-conditioners, the smaller split-systems rather than the portable units. I've noticed a lot of the split systems say the pipes are pre-gassed, but that they need to be installed by an F-gas certified/qualified person.
What is the deal with this - is it actually a matter of legality, or is it just a way of discouraging people from buying them who might half-arse the fitting and leak refrigerant everywhere (not to mention the safety issues of someone trying to carry the exterior unit up a rickety ladder)?
Ideally I'd want to buy a system with 2 or 3 indoor units but having seen two rather untidy professional installations at friends' houses I think I'd rather fit it myself.
If it is legal, does anyone have any recommendations? Any other ramifications/considerations I should be aware of?
I don't want to go with portable units - I had one in the past, it was noisy and inefficient (especially without a tumble-drier vent for the exhaust, having the window open instead).
What is the deal with this - is it actually a matter of legality, or is it just a way of discouraging people from buying them who might half-arse the fitting and leak refrigerant everywhere (not to mention the safety issues of someone trying to carry the exterior unit up a rickety ladder)?
Ideally I'd want to buy a system with 2 or 3 indoor units but having seen two rather untidy professional installations at friends' houses I think I'd rather fit it myself.
If it is legal, does anyone have any recommendations? Any other ramifications/considerations I should be aware of?
I don't want to go with portable units - I had one in the past, it was noisy and inefficient (especially without a tumble-drier vent for the exhaust, having the window open instead).
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