On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 18:03:51 GMT, Caecilius wrote:

I've just had a loft conversion done (not DIY I should add), and I'm
looking to install an air conditioner.

I'm looking at a split unit because they are so much better than the
portable ones that I've tried before. At the moment I've got my eye on the
LG S12 AW, which does both cooling and heating.

Does anyone have any pointers as to what to look out for, and whether this
is a reasonable DIY project?

As far as I can see, the key things to do a

1. Get electrical connection for the unit (I'm getting an electrician to
do this).
2. Mount the internal unit
3. Drill hole through wall for the pipe
4. Route pipe through the hole and down the outside wall
5. Mount external unit on outside wall
6. Connect pipe, electricity Etc.

Is that about it? Are there any special tools required for connecting the
pipes, and do they need to be purged of air with special equipment? I've
been looking on the net for installation guides, but can't find any.

Is the siting of the external unit something that needs permission from the
council (Medway if it makes any difference)? I'm planning to put it on the
side of the house near the back so it won't be obviously visible from the
road.

Any hints from people who've done this before? Any links to installation
guides would be most welcome.

A 'standard' split install needs some specialist tools - a vacuum pump, pipe flaring tool, a
manifold gauge, MAPP gas or oxyacetylene blowtorch ( might just get away with a really powerful
propane/butane one) , and ideally a cylinder of something (co2, argon, n2) to do a leaktest under
pressure.
Plus the consumables - piping and insulation, copper brazing rod, maybe a condensate pump if there
isn't a gravity runoff route available.
They come pre-charged so no need for refrigerant unless pipe run is really long.

This is all perfectly DIY-able in principle, and you can probably just about break even on the tools
by 'hiring' off ebay, or buying new and selling on same afterwards.
- www.srw.co.uk or http://www.hrponline.co.uk/ do everything you need. The latter have a number of
walk-in counters around the country.
(I've seen things like manifold gauges sell on ebay for twice what srw sell them for)

However if you're talking about getting an electrician in just to wire it up, the rest may also be
a little ambitious...

However there are 'diy install' models around that can be done rather easier - I don't know how they
handle the vacuuming/sealing side of things, or how flexible they are regarding pipework lengths
etc.

Info is rather hard to come by as the industry is rather self-protective and doesn't seem to take
kindly to mere mortals encroaching on their territory...... However it's actually only marginally
more involved than plumbing.