Do I need to be F-Gas registered?
You don’t need to be F-Gas registered to use these tools.
The vast majority of modern domestic AC systems now come pre-gassed with R32 refrigerant, which is an F-Gas and subject to F-Gas regulations. As such, final commissioning of your system (opening the valves on the compressor service ports using an allen key after pressure testing and vacuuming have been performed) should be performed by an F-Gas registered professional once they are satisfied that the system is properly installed.
I want to buy an AC unit to install myself, but the supplier is asking me to provide the F-Gas registration number of my installer, can you provide one?
No, sorry.
How does a DIY install impact the warranty on the AC unit?
It’s quite probable that you will struggle to make a warranty claim on a unit that wasn’t installed by an F-Gas registered professional.
What else should I consider before performing a DIY AC unit installation?
Ensure you understand and are comfortable with the implications to your house insurance of a DIY installation. Ensure you understand any planning rules that may constrain the location of your outdoor unit. Ensure you’ve performed a risk assessment for any of the work you’re undertaking and tools you’re using.
Do you offer support on the installation process?
We’ve provided some basic guidance and links to useful third-party videos/tutorials on the site. We also provide user manuals for each of the tools. The installation guide provided with your AC unit will provide the manufacturers guidance for your particular model and should be followed above all else. We’re unable to provide individual support beyond these resources.
What if I accidentally damage a tool
We’ve specifically chosen robust, professional grade tools to minimise the risk of accidental damage. Of course, accidents can happen. If you return a tool that’s damaged, we’ll simply deduct whatever it costs to either repair or, if necessary, replace that individual tool from your deposit. We’re not a car hire company and won’t rip you off.
Can I hire out individual tools rather than the whole kit?
Possibly - send an email to hello@aircontoolshed.com with what you’re after and we’ll be in touch.
What’s the environmental impact if things go badly wrong and my system leaks all its refrigerant?
A typical 3.5kW AC unit might contain 650g of R32 refrigerant. R32 has a GWP100 of 675 so a complete leak would result in the equivalent impact of adding 439Kg (0.65kg*675) of CO2 into the atmosphere. That’s roughly equivalent to driving 1500 miles in an average petrol car or the per-passenger emissions of a return flight from London to Berlin. Whilst this impact could be considered relatively low, it’s nonetheless important to use proper tools to ensure your system is leak-free!
What about the fire risk, there’s a flammable gas warning sticker on the side of my AC unit?
Although R32 is flammable, it’s relatively hard to ignite. See Refcom TB/033 for useful details and calculations on this.