Want to enjoy optimal thermal conditions in your apartment year-round? Consider installing air conditioning in your apartment building ! Our guide explains the requirements for installing air conditioning in your apartment.
Can you install air conditioning in a block of flats?
Air conditioning in apartment buildings is a popular solution to the problem of high summer temperatures. These problems also plague apartment dwellers, who often lack adequate ventilation systems to lower the apartment's temperature. Hence, the growing interest in installing air conditioning in apartment buildings.
If you're planning air conditioning in an apartment located in a multi-family building, you must meet several requirements. Even if you own a condominium or own the apartment (with a separate land and mortgage register), you should be aware that not only the stairwell but also the building's facade are common property for all residents. As a result, any change—for example, to the building's facade— must be approved by the community or housing cooperative.
Before making a decision about air conditioning for an apartment in a block of flats and before implementing the project air conditioning installation in the apartment it is worth obtaining information from the source - i.e. u building manager or submit an application to the housing cooperative regarding technical conditions associated with installation of the outdoor unit. Here you will find out what rules apply in a given cooperative or community regarding interference with the common parts of the building, including: installation of air conditioning in the block. It's worth remembering that the rules installation of air conditioning in an apartment in a block of flats will refer not only to location outdoor unit, but may also concern the noise emitted by devices (both outdoor unitAnd indoor unit) or required distances. Before granting consent, the manager will have to check whether installation of the air conditioner external environment does not negatively affect the appearance of the property or its condition external part of the building.
It should be emphasized that consent from the community or housing cooperative na air conditioning for the block you also need to get when you want to hang air conditioner on the balcony on the facade. Although in accordance with the law (Act on ownership of premises) the balcony must be considered an auxiliary room, which is part of the premises to which it belongs, however installation of an air conditioner on the facade balcony is not permitted without obtaining the applicable consent. This results from the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court, which states in its opinion that architectural and construction elements, incl build elevation, whose function is to connect the balcony with the building, have the character of a common part. This argument of the Supreme Court closes the discretion in installation of an outdoor unit in a block of flats and forces the person to be the way they are mixing owner, the need to obtain a permit for suspension air conditioner on the balcony. If you don't want to have problems with dismantling the hung device, get permission housing cooperative and/ or building administrator.
Installation of air conditioning on the balcony in a block of flats
Do you need to have consent for air conditioning installation in a block of flats? This is not always necessary! All you have to do is decide installation of air conditioning in a block of flats on the balcony, specifically on balcony floor. Such outdoor unit installation does not infringe facade of the block and at the same time it is placed in a place that is an integral part of the apartment and is not included in it common property. However, it is worth remembering that you will still be bound by the noise emission standards set by the community or cooperative. Therefore, during installation of air conditioning on the balcony you should invest in a special stand that will not transmit vibrations. Such a stand for an outdoor air conditioner is equipped with special anti-vibration pads which, when properly leveled, ensure structural stability and a lower level of vibration. Therefore installation of air conditioning on the balcony without the consent of the community is possible? Absolutely - just place the air conditioner on the balcony floor. Installing an air conditioner on the balcony however, it has its drawbacks. One of the basic ones is to limit the space on the balcony - outdoor units are relatively large. In addition, they require a location some distance from the walls, which is to enable proper operation of the unit. At the same time, when placing an outdoor air conditioner on the balcony floor, you must take into account that the unit will constantly blow hot air during operation. Therefore, if the balcony is small and the fan is directed towards the rest of the balcony, you will have to give up e.g. balcony flowers.
Installation of the air conditioner on a historic building
The biggest problem with installation of air conditioning in the block residents of multi-family historic buildings may have. Such objects are subject to special protection codified in the Act on the Protection and Care of Monuments (Journal of Laws 2203, No. 162, item 1568). Therefore, if you live in a historic building or it is located in a monument protection zone, before installation of air conditioning it will be necessary to obtain not only the consent of the cooperative, or housing community, but also obtaining consent from the right one provincial conservator of monuments. It is worth adding that for this purpose, you must first apply to such an institution for issuing recommendations that specify the possibility and scope of changes made to the the facade of the building historic. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of cases, the recommendations prohibit placing any advertising elements or devices, including air conditioners. However, this does not mean that you cannot install an outdoor air conditioner in such a facility under any circumstances. Permission to install air conditioning in a historic building from conservator of monuments it is easiest to obtain when we place it air conditioner on the balcony, basement or roof of the facility.
Installing air conditioning in a block of flats - problems to solve
Air conditioning in an apartment building is inextricably linked to the production of condensation. This condensation is created by heat exchange within the air conditioner and must be removed from the system. Contrary to appearances, this is a rather serious problem, as on hot days, the air conditioner can produce up to 1 liter of condensation during an hour of operation.
Condensate is collected in special drip trays under the heat exchanger and removed either by gravity (automatically) or by a condensate pump. In multi-family buildings, there are two methods for draining condensate . The first is automatic drainage to the sewer system. This is the most desirable method, but it is rarely implemented in already furnished apartments. Air conditioning for apartments in apartment buildings requires the use of a tank to collect condensate from the apartment building's air conditioning . This method, however, requires regular emptying of the tank. Its advantage is lower implementation costs, but it also requires the tedious and regular emptying of the condensate tank from the apartment building's air conditioning . Furthermore, overflowing condensate carries the risk of damaging the building's facade or flooding neighbors' windows. As a result, entities such as housing cooperatives or community building administrators are reluctant to adopt this solution.
Another issue related to installing air conditioning in an apartment building is the noise emitted by the device during operation. This applies to both the outdoor unit and air conditioners located inside the apartment. According to the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of June 14, 2007, regarding permissible noise levels in the environment, air conditioning in an apartment building cannot operate louder than 40-45 dB(A) at night and 45-55 dB(A) during the day. The lowest standards—40 and 45 dB(A)—apply to health resort protection areas, while the remaining standards apply to single-family residential areas (50 dB(A) during the day and 40 dB(A) at night, respectively) and other areas where devices can emit sound levels of 45 dB(A) at night and 55 dB(A) during the day. It's worth remembering that housing communities and cooperatives can establish their own noise standards. Therefore, when deciding to install an outdoor unit, it's also important to familiarize yourself with the regulations, although the overwhelming majority cite the aforementioned regulation. Therefore, when purchasing air conditioning, you should consider both its location and the property's location, as well as whether you plan to use it at night. It's worth emphasizing, however, that virtually any small outdoor air conditioner meets these standards.
In the case of air conditioning in a flat, the permissible values of the sound level emitted by the devices are specified in the PN-87/B-0251/02 standard, which states that at night the device cannot emit a sound louder than 30 dB(A) and during the day 40 dB(A).
How much does it cost to install air conditioning in a block of flats?
Installation of air conditioning in a block of flats it is undoubtedly an investment for years. Air conditioning installation in the apartment will pay off in everyday comfort of life, relaxation and healthy air. This How much does it cost to install air conditioning in a block of flats? When estimating costs, you must take into account not only the purchase of devices (their price depends on the selected brand and the power of individual units), but also the costs of all materials and work performed during installation, including cabling, piping, etc. It is worth remembering that the installation air conditioning in the so-called trays is cheaper than running piping and cabling in trays attached to wall of the building. For this, how much does it cost to install air conditioning in a block of flats, insulation of the building may have an impact, and in the case of air conditioning in a block of flats without a balcony storey when outdoor unit will be suspended on the facade of the building (it will be necessary to use a basket lift on the upper floors).
It's worth remembering, however, that installing air conditioning in an apartment building for private individuals—i.e., not "businesses"—is only subject to 8% VAT. This makes it an extremely attractive option financially.
Should you install air conditioning yourself? We don't recommend this approach. Keep in mind that installing air conditioning yourself in an apartment building not only eliminates your warranty for the air conditioning installation , but also poses the problem of maintaining the warranty on the equipment. Furthermore, if the building's structure is damaged or the facade is damaged , you will have to cover the repair costs yourself. Therefore, we encourage you to seek the help of an experienced installation company specializing in air conditioning installation in apartments.
If you're looking for a reliable air conditioning installation service provider, we encourage you to contact our company. ClimaPolska provides professional air conditioning installation in apartment buildings and expert advice on choosing the right air conditioning system.
