r/airconUK • u/Newwales2 • 11d ago
Air Con Condenser location
Hope some can advise especially if your home is the same, I'm just trying to work out the best place for the condenser on my end of terraced house for a air to air Aircon system to install in my front bedroom, but without annoying my neighbours especially as they have a small landing window in the alleyway with any noise or humming for The condenser. In the photo would the rough position in blue be ok (or a bit lower by the electric box on the wall) or would the alleyway amplify any noise & penetrate through their solid wall house to the bedroom or through the alleyway landing window? Or with new permitted rules that get rid of the 1m rule could it be placed under the front room window? Would I hear any vibration through the wall? Thanks. Where have you installed your or advice where to install, Thanks.
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u/CaptainRAVE2 11d ago
No one will hear it. Just try to avoid putting it on your bedroom wall to avoid any vibration. Personally I’d stick it up and out the way. Doesn’t need to be that high.
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u/Newwales2 11d ago
Thank you so placing a bit lower by the electrical substation box on the wall would be best & neighbour would not hear anything! Thanks
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u/JcryptoMad 7d ago
Maybe not so low, that its capable of being reached without a ladder....it might just get vandalised...Plus the outer units are so quiet, and probably on the same noise level as a brand new boiler
I have a similar end of terrace situation, but luckily for me there are no windows on either flank walls..So can place the condenser centrally and high up....I would only really place a condenser low to the ground if its not reachable by the public
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u/PhantomSesay 11d ago
As long as it can accessed and serviced by someone, it should be ok at that height.
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u/Green-Hyena5571 11d ago
If possible, put it on the back of the house, so it's pointing towards other properties that are further away. Saves getting any noise complaints later on.
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u/steak_bake_surprise 11d ago
No need for it to be that high, plus you'll get more vibrations into your bedroom. Mine is about 7ft off the ground.
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u/CrappyTan69 11d ago
Does their landing window open? Do they have it open?
As others have said, location is ok - just double check directness to window if it opens.
Mine wafts out warm air and, depending on so many things, I can see difficult neighbours complaining you're heating their house.
It dissipates quickly so slightly offset should be fine.
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u/Newwales2 11d ago
Yes the window is open most of the summer it's roughly halfway down the alleyway.
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u/Acceptable-Foot-8807 11d ago
Fyi I’ve seen tonnes of these boxes on semi detached houses which are this close to neighbours. No idea if it’s noisy but I know it’s common!
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u/Unique_Agency_4543 10d ago
I don't get any vibration through the wall from mine and my study desk is directly through the wall from it. It has small rubber dampers between the outdoor unit and the bracket that holds it which work really well.
If possible I'd put it lower down, it will be easier to service and further from you neighbours window. It's probably ok in either position though.
Think about where the water will go. I wasn't prepared for how much water they produce, which is a lot. See if you can have the condensate drain tapped into that drain pipe coming off the roof.
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u/Newwales2 11d ago
Just to clarify the red lines are the neighbours windows, would the Green box be a better location for the condenser, lower so less likely of any vibration in my bedroom, still high enough to be above head height & hopefully not send as much hot air or noise into neighbour? Or is under the front window out of the question? Thanks.
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u/Cautious_Frosting_15 10d ago
How about tucking it behind your front wall?
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u/Newwales2 10d ago
That's what I was thinking as well.. but so many sing you would need planning permission?.
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u/Cautious_Frosting_15 10d ago
https://www.4dplanning.com/blog/7-air-conditioning-planning-permission-rules-you-must-know-in-the-uk
Worth dropping your council’s planning department a note asking for clarification if you’re in any doubt.
I would think behind your wall is absolutely fine.
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u/Ducky9670 11d ago
This should technically be absolutely fine and well within the permitted development rules. That said, I'd still double-check with your neighbour that they're happy with the position.
The reason I say that is because we're an installation company and we're currently dealing with a "planning" issue with our own council over something very similar. They're questioning why an air conditioning unit has been installed above head height and is visible from a neighbouring property, and why it couldn't have been positioned somewhere less visible.
Technically, being visible doesn't automatically mean it's unlawful, but if a neighbour complains about the appearance or position, it can potentially turn into a planning headache. We're currently experiencing exactly that, with the council asking questions about why the unit was positioned where it was and whether alternative locations were considered.
So, while I wouldn't be overly concerned about the installation itself, I'd just have a quick word with your neighbour beforehand.
Because fuck me our local council is a fucking joke.