Note: This is a sponsored post from ArcticAir Manila and may contain links to their website, which are included for the reader’s reference.
Most condo renovation plans show exactly where the kitchen cabinets, lights, sockets and furniture will go. The aircon sometimes appears as a small rectangle on a wall, with little indication of everything connected to it.
That single unit needs a power supply, refrigerant pipes, drainage and a route to the outdoor equipment. Each part can affect the walls, ceiling, cabinetry and final paintwork. Leaving those decisions unresolved gives the contractors fewer workable options once construction is underway.
Split type aircon installation belongs in the early planning stage. For a condo unit, the installer also needs to know where the building permits the outdoor unit, pipes, and drain to be placed.
Plan the indoor and outdoor units together
A split-type air conditioner works as one system with two units. The location of one affects the location of the other, along with the length and direction of the connecting pipes.
Start with the amount of cooling the room needs. Floor area provides the basic measurement. Ceiling height, large windows, afternoon sun, cooking appliances and regular occupancy can increase the load. A shaded bedroom and a west-facing living room of the same size may need different capacities.
The installer can assess these conditions and suggest a suitable unit. Once the model has been selected, its dimensions and clearance requirements should be added to the renovation plan.
The position of the indoor unit depends on how the room will be used. In a bedroom, mark the bed before choosing the wall. Air blowing across the pillows for several hours can become uncomfortable. The same applies to a sofa, dining table or desk where someone may sit for long periods.
Tall furniture and room dividers also change how air moves through the space. A wardrobe placed in front of the airflow can leave part of the room warmer. Full-length curtains may interfere with a unit installed too close to a window.
There are plenty of condo interior design ideas that show how furniture, storage and colour can share a limited space. The aircon should appear on that same layout, including the clearance needed to open its cover and remove the filters.
A technician will need access during cleaning and repairs. Built-in cabinets around the unit should leave room for the front panel, internal components and airflow. Marking these clearances on the plan prevents later adjustments to finished carpentry.
Let the drain determine the route
The drain line often decides whether a proposed indoor position will work. Air conditioners remove moisture from the room, and the collected water needs a clear route to an approved discharge point.
Most condo installations rely on gravity to carry the water away. The line needs a steady downward slope from the indoor unit. A position may look tidy from inside the room and still create an awkward drainage route behind the wall or above the ceiling.
Before the ceiling is closed, have the installer mark where the drain will run and where the water will leave the system. The route should avoid dips where water and dirt can collect. Trapped water can contribute to blockages, smells and leaks around the indoor unit.
The refrigerant pipes and electrical cable usually follow a similar path between the two units. Renovation work provides an opportunity to place these services inside a ceiling void, utility area or enclosure prepared by the contractor.
Any enclosure needs to follow the bend and clearance requirements for the pipes. It also needs enough space for insulation around the refrigerant lines. Cramped pipework can be difficult to inspect and repair.
An access panel can be useful where the drain connects or where the pipes pass through a ceiling. Its position should be agreed before painting so it sits neatly within the finished surface.
The installer should test the drainage before the route is enclosed. Finding a poor slope or loose connection at this stage keeps the repair small.
Get the building requirements before installation day
Condo management may have rules covering outdoor-unit placement, wall openings, drainage and contractor access. Some buildings provide a service ledge or mechanical area. Others specify an approved pipe route from each unit.
Request these requirements before buying the equipment. The administration may ask for an installation drawing, model specifications, contractor documents or a work permit. Approved working hours may also affect the project schedule.
The assigned outdoor location can change the indoor plan. A unit placed several metres away may require more pipework and a different wall opening. The installer needs this information before confirming the quotation and installation route.
Outdoor equipment also needs ventilation and safe access for servicing. Screens or enclosures must leave the clearances required by the manufacturer. A stable base and suitable supports help limit vibration passing into the wall or floor, especially near bedrooms and neighbouring units.
Add the aircon to the electrical plan
Give the selected model’s specifications to the electrician. The unit’s power requirements determine the wiring, circuit protection and connection point.
Including this work in the main electrical plan allows the cable to be concealed and the connection to sit close to the unit. It also gives the electrician time to check the available supply before the walls are finished.
The room itself affects electricity use. Strong sun through a large window adds heat throughout the day. Curtains, blinds or suitable window treatments can reduce that heat and help the aircon cool the room more steadily.
Agree on the installation schedule
Treat the aircon work as two stages. During the first stage, the installer and contractor prepare the wall openings, pipes, drain and electrical route. This happens while the walls and ceilings are still accessible.
The indoor and outdoor equipment can be fitted after the messier construction work has finished. Keeping the units away from plaster dust, sanding and wet paint protects them during the renovation.
Responsibilities should be clear before either stage begins. Decide who will drill the openings, connect the drain, provide the electrical supply, seal around the pipes and repair the surrounding finish. These small handovers are easy to miss when several contractors are working on the same room.
Run the system before the renovation is signed off. Give it enough time to cool the room and produce condensation. Check the indoor unit for dripping, then confirm that water reaches the intended discharge point.
The installer should inspect the electrical connection, airflow and refrigerant system during the same test. The contractor can then seal the wall opening and complete any paintwork around the pipes.
Any faults found during testing can be corrected while the relevant trades are still on site. Nobody should be drilling through a freshly finished wall because the aircon was missing from the original renovation plan.
Featured image of a boys’ bedroom in a condo and image of open-plan living and dining room by Toto Labrador for Gal at Home Studio. Photo of dining room by Macky Lorenzo.
This is a sponsored post written for and published on Gal at Home as part of our commitment to share diverse perspectives on topics such as self and well-being, relationships and community, home design and DIY, career and creativity, and lifestyle and leisure. It may contain links to the author’s or their clients’ websites, which are included for the reader’s reference. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Gal at Home Design Studio.