When the summer arrives, an air conditioner becomes your best friend because it can improve your comfort by lowering the temperature in your home. However, installing an air conditioner is a challenging operation. A proper AC installation is necessary for the longevity of your air conditioner unit. It is critical to know the specific requirements for air conditioner installation before buying a new AC. Not meeting these requirements may lead to the improper functioning of AC. Gharpedia brings you a simple guide to the requirements for AC installation.
Basic Requirements for AC Installation in a Room
Before installing your AC at the best location in a room, one should check whether the following conditions are met:
- The room should be an airtight space. It should have properly functioning doors and windows to avoid leakage of cooled air.
- The room should be dust-free to prevent the choking of filters.
- The room should have enough power supply for the operation of the AC unit.
- The room where you intend to install your air conditioner unit must not be moisture-prone.
- It is preferable to have curtains and a false ceiling in the rooms to reduce heat transfer from the outside to the inside of the room.
- For split AC installation, you require a wall with no inclinations that can support the weight of the AC’s indoor unit and an open outdoor spot to position the outdoor unit.
- One of the major requirements for AC installation is a proper electrical supply. You must confirm that the supply’s frequency and voltage are within the authorised range. Also, ensure that the power supply does not experience any voltage changes.
- You must have a fixed electrical point in the room connected to an electrically protected circuit. This point should have adequate capacity for the alternate current and be close to the unit.
- Ensure that you have a grounding connection.
- Another basic requirement for AC installation is there should be provision of drainage of condensed water. The room should facilitate easy installation of drain pipe.
Now let’s look at the requirements for installing split AC and window AC.
The Requirements for Split AC Installation
Split AC has two components: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, both placed in different areas. Hence, the requirements for split AC installation can be further divided into criteria for indoor units and outdoor units.
Requirements for Installing Indoor Unit of Split AC
Check for these basic criteria before installing an indoor unit of split AC in your house:
- The surface should be damp-free.
- The surface should be sturdy enough to support the weight of the indoor AC unit. The wall should be at least 6-inch thick to mount the indoor AC unit. A 19mm thick plywood panelling can be an alternative for supporting the indoor AC unit.
- The room height should be at least 9 feet (2700mm), such that a clear height of 7 feet (2100mm) is available from the bottom of the unit to fix the AC indoor unit.
- The room should have provisions for draining condensed water.
- There should be a free space of at least 5 inches (125mm) from the side of the indoor AC unit installation. Similarly, there should be a free space of at least 12 inches (300mm) from the top of the indoor AC unit for proper air circulation.
Requirements for Installing an Outdoor Unit of Split AC
The outdoor unit of split AC should be installed keeping in mind the following requirements:
- An outdoor AC unit should be placed where it can release heat into the atmosphere. One can use terraces for outdoor AC unit installation.
- Preferably, the location of the outdoor AC unit should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
- The outdoor AC unit should be installed in such a fashion that it is accessible for maintenance.
- The outdoor AC unit should have free space of at least 12 inches (300mm) from the sides and back and 24 inches (600mm) from the front fan of the unit.
- Precautions should be taken if two outdoor units are installed in a common space. Two outdoor AC units should be placed side by side with their fans facing outside. Two outdoor AC units can be stacked one above the other, leaving a space of atleast 8 inches between them.
Here are some ways to cover your outdoor unit creatively:
9 Best Ideas to Hide Outside Ac Unit in your Home | GharPedia
The Requirements for Window AC Installation
Now let’s look at the requirements for window AC installation:
- The window where the AC unit will be installed should have a sill of at least 36 inches or 3 feet from the floor.
2. The sizes of window AC units vary depending on the brand and tonnage of the AC. The window should have a minimum clear opening of 27” x 18” (700mm x 450mm) to accommodate the unit.
3. The window should be 20 inches (500mm) away from the adjacent wall to avoid the wall absorbing the cooling.
4. The window frames should be preferably made of wood to absorb the vibrations of the AC unit.
5. Metal framing can create disturbing noises due to AC vibrations. There should be provisions for wooden packing in such metal windows.
6. The window should be accessible for maintenance.
7. There should be a clear space of 20 inches (500mm) on the backside of the window AC unit for ventilation.
Takeaway
These are general requirements for AC installation that one should keep in mind before buying an air conditioner. It is important to check the ease with which the AC can be installed, because if there is difficulty in the installation process, then the operation of the AC may also be difficult.
We would suggest looking at these criteria in your room and selecting the AC accordingly. If your room does not permit any of the two basic types of AC, you can opt for other alternatives, like a portable AC unit.
Nowadays, buying an AC is no longer a luxury. They are not room decor but comfort-giving units that have become a basic amenity in most households. Thus, make sure your rooms have these requirements to welcome an AC before you order one.
Installed an AC in your house? Check out these common air conditioner problems:
The Ultimate Guide to Troubleshooting Common Air Conditioner Problems!
