FAQs
Save yourself the panic and take out a Maintenance Agreement with AC Solutions Group Ltd today.
We carry out service and maintenance to most air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
When you take out a maintenance contract with us we will guarantee site attendance within 24 Hours of your call being logged.
All our engineers are qualified and have the necessary qualifications for the Safe Handling of Refrigerants.
Below are some of the common questions we are asked.
Can anyone install air conditioning?
From 4 July 2009, it became a legal requirement for all businesses that install, maintain or service stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning and/or heat pump equipment containing F-gas refrigerants to hold an F gas Company Certificate.
Do we have to notify building control?
Following Part L of the Building Regulations which came into force on 6 April 2006, air conditioning falls into the category of works which must be notified to building control.
Under normal circumstances, you would need to notify building control 6 weeks before the installation takes place. However, as we are able to self-certify, we can take care of this for you once the installation is complete, so you do not have to worry about it.
Are all installations the same?
When purchasing an air conditioning system, you are not only buying the equipment, but also an installation service, additional materials and aftersales. So, even on like-for-like equipment, the way in which it is installed and maintained will have an affect on its lifespan.
Which manufacturer should we choose?
We can install any manufacturer if a client has a specific preference. However, we would normally suggest a manufacturer based on the individual requirements of each project. We do have preferred manufacturers based on quality, service and availability of spare parts longer term if required.
Our preferred manufacturers are Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric. We also install Panasonic and Fujitsu. If asked to, we can install Samsung, Toshiba and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Capital and running costs
It is normal when receiving a quotation to head for the best up-front price. However, the equipment that is best for your situation may not necessarily be the cheapest. It can be confusing, as equipment can have similar model numbers but be very different. Although the cost can be higher up-front, the running costs can be lower over the lifetime of the unit and you can make your money back even sooner.
During our survey of your site or property, our engineers will discuss your options based on your budget.
Do you provide an aftersales service?
We feel it is important to build long-term relationships with our customers and we don’t just end all contact once we have been paid (unless you want us to). We are available to provide you with advice afterwards.
Furthermore, we provide a warranty on all our installations by default, which is extended by our regular maintenance visits. This manufacturer-recommended maintenance is important to ensure that your system continues to run as efficiently as possible and to extend its lifespan.
Do we require planning permission?
We always recommend contacting your local planning authority and obtaining a response by email. Each council seems to respond differently, but generally, heat pumps are not an issue and we can supply information such as dimensions, noise levels, etc, to assist with your planning application.
Are the systems noisy?
We select systems appropriate for the environment and consider where the equipment is to be located in order to minimise noise, so this has never been an issue.
I‘ve heard about R22 refrigerant phase-out. What does that mean?
If you have a system running on R22 refrigerant, it is getting old. But don’t be mislead into thinking you need to change it straight away – you don’t necessarily. However, from 1st January 2015, if the refrigerant side needs breaking into in order to carry out repairs, the system will need replacing. Therefore, it is beneficial to budget for the potential resolutions before this happens. Additionally, new systems are much more efficient.
How do I know if the system I have runs on R22 refrigerant?
If the condenser (outside unit) has no labels to say otherwise, the chances are that it runs on R22, especially if it is over 10 years old. If you have a maintenance agreement with us, we should advise you of this.
Can I catch Legionnaires disease from air conditioning?
You will not catch Legionnaires disease from the types of air conditioning systems we install. You can find more details on our Useful Information Factsheet.
How do I begin? What is the basic procedure to get air conditioning installed?
Firstly, please contact us by phone or email. We will provide you with a short and simple survey of basic information we need from you in order to arrange for an engineer to attend your site or property and carry out a survey. The survey is also your opportunity to ask our engineer any questions or concerns you may have.
After the survey, we will begin to compile a formal quotation for you, which will be emailed to you. This quotation may contain multiple options depending on what you are looking for.
Once you are happy with our quotation, just let us know. After you have paid the deposit, we will order your equipment and get in contact with you to arrange a suitable date for our engineers to install your new air conditioning system.
After the installation, unless you request otherwise, we will contact you at regular intervals (12-monthly for domestic installations, 6-monthly for commercial installations) to notify you that maintenance on your system is due, and to offer you a date for an engineer to attend to carry out the service. Please see “Do you provide an aftersales service?” for more information.
Is COVID-19 (coronavirus) spread via air conditioning?
As of 30/03/2020, there is very little robust research to support the idea that the coronavirus is spread through air conditioning or ventilation. Please see REFCOM’s technical bulletin regarding COVID-19 for a more in-depth report.
What is a TM44 inspection?
Anyone who owns an air conditioning system with a total cooling or heating capacity of over 12kW requires a TM44 inspection every 5 years by law. This will provide you with a report and certificate.
The report is designed to give you information about the performance of your systems and to identify opportunities to save energy and cut operating cuts. The report identifies the size and effectiveness of the plant installed in relation to cooling loads, any operating anomalies, and opportunities for cost savings, and examines the current maintenance regimes.
The inspection consists of examination of the following where applicable: system documentation, refrigeration plant, heat rejection equipment, waterborne cooling and air conditioning systems, air handling units and duct work, outdoor air inlets and system controls. Your certificate will be lodged on the government central registry by an accredited Air Conditioning Inspector.
Can you install/commission a system I have already purchased?
We only install equipment that we supply ourselves. This is because we pride ourselves in the quality of our installations, and we would not be able to guarantee this on equipment or materials (such as piping) not supplied by ourselves, nor would we be able to provide a warranty.