Cool Penguin Climate SolutionsFrequently asked questions
Common questions about domestic air conditioning.
General
Can air conditioning units also heat a room?
Most modern split systems are heat pumps — they can run in reverse to heat a room efficiently in winter as well as cool it in summer, so you're not paying for a second heating appliance.
Is there noise from the outdoor unit?
Outdoor condensers are rated for noise output and are positioned during the survey to minimise disturbance to you and neighbours — typically well below the level of a passing car.
How long does an installation take?
A single-room split system is typically installed in a day. Multi-room systems take longer depending on the number of indoor units and the pipework run.
Single-room split systems
How loud is a single-room split system?
Modern indoor units run at a similar level to a quiet refrigerator — most are rated well under 30dB on their lowest fan speed, which is comfortable for a bedroom overnight.
Do I need planning permission?
Most domestic single-room installs fall under permitted development and don't need planning permission. Listed buildings and some flats are the main exceptions — we'll flag it during the survey if yours is affected.
Multi-split systems
How many rooms can one outdoor unit cover?
It depends on the outdoor unit's capacity and the total cooling load of the rooms involved — typically 2 to 5 indoor units. We size this properly at survey rather than guessing from room count alone.
Can I add more rooms later?
Only if the outdoor unit has spare capacity for the extra load — we'll tell you at survey whether your chosen unit leaves room to extend later.
Servicing & maintenance
How often should I service my AC unit?
Once a year is the usual recommendation for a domestic system, ideally in spring before the cooling season starts. Units used heavily or in dusty environments may benefit from more frequent filter cleans.
What happens if you find a refrigerant leak?
We'll tell you what we found and quote separately for the repair — a leak check is a diagnostic, not a repair, and we won't carry out paid work beyond the service without confirming it with you first.
Call-outs & repairs
Can you fix a unit another company installed?
Yes — we regularly diagnose and repair systems we didn't originally fit, as long as parts are available for the make and model.
Do you offer emergency call-outs?
Get in touch via the contact page or call us directly and we'll let you know our current availability for urgent visits.