A good air conditioning unit badly installed will never work properly. A leaky joint, a skipped vacuum test or a unit that’s the wrong size, and you’ll be calling someone out within a year. So who fits it matters as much as which unit you pick. The basics: make sure they’re F-gas certified, that they do a proper survey before quoting, and that the guarantee is clear. We’re REFCOM registered, and you can check our F-gas registration before you book. Here’s what to look for when choosing an installer in Bristol or Bath, and the questions worth asking.
Check they’re F-gas certified
This is the one that matters most. Anyone handling refrigerant in a split air conditioning system has to hold an F-gas certificate, and the company has to be certified too.
You can check a company on the REFCOM register. Ours is 1021031. If an installer can’t give you a certificate number, look elsewhere.
Do they do a proper survey?
A quote over the phone, or from a couple of photos, is a guess. A proper installer will come out and look at:
- the size of the room and how much sun it gets
- where the indoor unit can go
- where the outdoor unit can go, with good airflow and away from neighbours
- the route for the pipes, drain and cable
- your electrics and whether you need a new circuit
- whether you need permission, for example in a flat or listed building
That’s how you end up with the right size of unit in the right place, and a price that doesn’t change on the day.
Is the quote clear?
A good quote should name the make and model of the unit and its cooling and heating output. It should list what’s included: brackets, pipework, trunking, the condensate drain and the electrical connection. It should also cover making good the hole, taking away the packaging, and the total price including VAT.
If you get several quotes, check you’re comparing the same thing.
What guarantee do you get?
There are two to think about.
The manufacturer’s guarantee
It covers faults with the unit itself. The Bosch units we fit come with 5 years on the Climate 3200 and 7 years on parts and labour on the Climate 7000.
Most manufacturer guarantees depend on the unit being installed by an F-gas certified installer and serviced every year. Ask exactly what you need to do to keep it valid.
The installer’s workmanship guarantee
This covers the installation itself, the pipework and connections. Ask how long it is and what it covers. We guarantee our installation work for 12 months.
Keep all your paperwork, including the commissioning record and every service report.
Do they look after it afterwards?
Air conditioning needs a service every year. It’s worth choosing an installer who’ll come back and do it, rather than one who disappears once the job’s done. See our guide to air conditioning maintenance for what’s involved.
Can you see their work?
Ask for photos of recent jobs, or have a look at their reviews. You can see some of ours in our air conditioning case studies, like the Clifton living room.
Look for neat pipework in trunking, an outdoor unit that’s level on proper brackets, and an indoor unit that’s well placed in the room.
Warning signs to watch for
- no F-gas certificate, or they won’t tell you the number
- a quote without seeing the room
- pressure to sign up on the day
- vague answers about the guarantee
- an unusually low price with no breakdown of what’s included
- “pre-charged” DIY-style kits passed off as professional installations
Choosing an installer in Bristol and Bath
A local installer knows the housing stock: the terraces, the loft conversions, the listed buildings and conservation areas in Bath. They’re also close by when you need a service or a repair. We cover Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas.
Frequently asked questions
Does air conditioning installation come with a warranty?
Yes. The unit comes with a manufacturer’s guarantee, 5 years on the Bosch Climate 3200 and 7 years on the Climate 7000, as long as it’s installed by an F-gas certified installer and serviced every year. We also guarantee our installation work for 12 months.
Can any electrician or plumber install air conditioning?
Not on their own. Electrical work can be done by an electrician, but anyone connecting the refrigerant pipework and commissioning the system has to hold F-gas certification. Many heating engineers, us included, are certified for both refrigerant and heating work.
How many quotes should I get?
Two or three is sensible. Make sure each one is based on a survey and quotes for the same thing, including the same size of unit. The cheapest isn’t always the best value if it leaves out the condensate drain, the electrics or a proper vacuum test.
Looking for an installer?
Ring us on 01275 400 687 or get in touch online for a free survey and a clear, fixed quote.