Wall-mounted Split A/C - Planning Permission & Building Regs Questions

[XrayDave]

For years we have toyed with the idea of getting a wall-mounted a/c fitted to the bedroom and, if reasonable cost, the main living room and/or our home office. We have a portable unit with window exhaust kit but it struggles to get the room cool.

We are now about to move house so I'm thinking of installing a/c in our new property

Several questions. I'd be grateful if, when answering, you'd number your replies accordingly. Thanks!

1) I did not know that you needed planning permission to install a wall-mounted split a/c system - does it not come under permitted develpment (I am not in a conservation area and the building isn't listed)

2) Can any wall-mounted split system be DIY installed (I've heard that the units come without gas and are charged with refrigerant on-site - is this true?)

3) Does it depend on the refrigerant used as to whether you can self-install (if indeed you can)?

4) Do you require Building Regs approval - even if you don't need planning permission.

5) Who would I ask - I'm guessing my local planning department. Would they also advise on building regs?

6) There would need to be a separate electricity feed to the unit - so I'm assuming I'd need an NICEIC certificate?

7) Several internet sites recommend Daikin, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi and Panasonic units but suggest that domestic LG and Samsung units are not reliable. Would you agreee?

Finally,

8) If I can't install, is there a trade body for air conditioners that I can approach to get a "trusted" installer.

EDIT: Additional question(!)

9) If I went for wall-mounted a/c that didn't have an external unit (i.e. a self-contained monoblock unit with R290 refrigerant), could I self-install that (by running a fused spur off the ring main - something that I am allowed to do as a DIYer?). I know it would require the drilling of 3 holes hrough the wall - two large holes for the incoming and exhaust air using a core drill and a smaller hole for the condensate pipe.

Thank you.

XRD

 

[ericmark]

I am watching for replies, seems crazy to me, advert everywhere for heat pumps, and then told if used for cooling different rules apply.

But it seems down to individual councils to set their own rules, but wonder if called a heat pump rather than an AC if the rules change? They are of course the same thing.

 

[denso13]

I did not know that you needed planning permission to install a wall-mounted split a/c system - does it not come under permitted develpment

You generally don't need planning permission for a typical domestic system, subject to certain criteria. You don't need building regs approval.

https://www.4dplanning.com/blog/7-air-conditioning-planning-permission-rules-you-must-know-in-the-uk

 

[Mottie]

On one of our local Facebook pages a company were showing off a split system that they had installed. Someone asked them if pp was needed and they said no, as the outside unit was less than 0.6 of a cubic metre. Maybe that’s just the criteria in our area?

 

[Nintendofan]

I thought if the external unit can be used for heating as well as cooling (most do anyway) then its permitted development

 

[denso13]

I thought if the external unit can be used for heating as well as cooling (most do anyway) then its permitted development

Yes, subject to PD criteria.

 

[XrayDave]

It seems that even asking the local council (Sheffield) if Planning Permission is required, I have to sump up £126 to be possibly told "No, you don't need Planning Permission".

XRD

 

[aveatry]

It seems that even asking the local council (Sheffield) if Planning Permission is required, I have to sump up £126 to be possibly told "No, you don't need Planning Permission".

XRD

Problem is that if you stick it up then your neighbours will most likely complain to the council over the noise.

 

[denso13]

It seems that even asking the local council (Sheffield) if Planning Permission is required, I have to sump up £126 to be possibly told "No, you don't need Planning Permission".

XRD

Check if it falls under PD, if it does you don't need to ask. If it doesn't then you need PP.

7 UK Planning Permission Rules for Air Conditioning

Installing air con? Learn the 7 essential planning permission rules for homes, flats, and commercial properties. Stay compliant and avoid penalties.

www.4dplanning.com

 

[ericmark]

Check if it falls under PD, if it does you don't need to ask. If it doesn't then you need PP.

It seems that even asking the local council (Sheffield) if Planning Permission is required, I have to sump up £126 to be possibly told "No, you don't need Planning Permission".

Seems there is a problem there, @denso13 needs to read the replies first. If it were me, I would fit it, and if asked always call it a heat pump, don't call it air conditioning, and likely no one will question which direction it can work in.

 

[denso13]

Seems there is a problem there, @denso13 needs to read the replies first.

I did, what did I miss?

 

[decibel]

You can legally DIY the monoblock since the gas loop is factory sealed, but those two massive air holes you need to core drill will act like a direct acoustic bridge to the street. If the house is near a main road, outside traffic noise is going to dump straight into your bedroom through those vents. Plus, the compressor sits inside the room, so it's way louder than a split system. I actually just registered on the forum specifically because of your post since people always forget about this noise bridge. I work at DECIBEL, so I deal with acoustics daily, and these open vents are a textbook problem. If you go that route, just make sure you put acoustic duct liners or insulation sleeves inside the wall vents to block the street noise without choking the airflow.

 

[XrayDave]

You can legally DIY the monoblock since the gas loop is factory sealed, but those two massive air holes you need to core drill will act like a direct acoustic bridge to the street. If the house is near a main road, outside traffic noise is going to dump straight into your bedroom through those vents. Plus, the compressor sits inside the room, so it's way louder than a split system. I actually just registered on the forum specifically because of your post since people always forget about this noise bridge. I work at DECIBEL, so I deal with acoustics daily, and these open vents are a textbook problem. If you go that route, just make sure you put acoustic duct liners or insulation sleeves inside the wall vents to block the street noise without choking the airflow.

Ahh, thanks - you make a good point. Hadn't thought of that!

Regarding the installation of a split A/C, as the proposed unit is a heater in winter and chiller in summer, I'm guessing you should call it a heat pump rather than an air-conditioning unit and then it should be allowed under PD?

Thanks to all who have replied.

Thanks to denso for the A/C PP link. Much appreciated.

XRD

 

[denso13]

I'm guessing you should call it a heat pump rather than an air-conditioning unit and then it should be allowed under PD?

Yes, both the same as far as planning goes.

 

[ericmark]

I have seen the advert of course it is silent to those in the house, it's outside, it is the neighbours who have to put up with any noise. But winter likely everyone's windows are closed, only in summer will those without the heat pump have their windows open, that is of course if that model is bidirectional?

The cost to retro fit fan assisted radiators (as without it would need two one high in room and one low in room as heat raises) and condensate pumps and plumbing, as we find our AC generates around 1 gallon every 90 minutes, is massive.

OK if fitted when the home is built, but retro fit, cost of ripping up flooring and fitting pipes, means for most simply not worth it.

I must admit I did look at the idea of fitting it in one room only, however solar for December

we don't produce enough for normal use, without looking at using it for heating, so at my latitude it is simply a non-starter.

The generators were having problems with last heat wave, so how do they think they will work with the Beast from the East or whatever name they give to it next time?

The battery may keep my oil fired boilers motors running, but no where large enough to do the heating as well.