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Last updated: 3 June 2024
Air conditioning Building Regulations
With British summers getting warmer, more and more UK homeowners are installing air conditioning in their homes. Here's what Building Regulations apply to air conditioning that you will want to know.
What air conditioning regulations are there in the UK?
Currently, there are no official air conditioning Building Regulations in place in the UK for domestic air conditioning systems.
However, any electrical work for your air conditioning system will need to comply with the relevant British electrical safety standards.
If you live in a restricted area or protected building, you'll need to consider the usual guidance and restrictions for home improvement projects.
When installing an air conditioning system in your home, we always recommend hiring a qualified air conditioning specialist to carry out the work.
Do you need planning permission for air con?
You don't usually need to apply for planning permission for most standard domestic air conditioning systems.
That said, the need for planning permission for air conditioning will depend on the size of the air conditioning system.
If you’re installing a small air conditioning system, it will most likely be covered under permitted development rights, so you won’t need to apply for planning permission.
On the other hand, if you plan on installing an extensive air conditioning system then it may fall outside of permitted development status and you might need planning permission.
This could be the case if your planned air conditioning system is:
Bigger than 0.6m³
Will be located less than a metre away from any property boundaries
Is going to be within a metre of the edge of a flat roof
Will be fitted on a pitched roof
Being added to a property that already has a wind turbine installed
You also might need to seek planning permission for your air con if you live in a restricted area, such as:
Conservation Area
National Park
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
World Heritage Site
If in doubt, speak to your local planning office to discuss the details of your air conditioning installation before carrying out any work.
They can then provide you with professional advice on planning permission for air con, and guidance concerning air conditioning Building Regulations that may apply at the time.
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Commercial Air Conditioning Regulations 2018
Although domestic air conditioning doesn't currently fall under any specific Building Regulations in the UK, commercial air con is another matter.
In 2018, new legislation was introduced for commercial buildings with air conditioning and HVAC systems. The regulations set out guidelines on the following...
F-Gas – Any company that uses or services refrigeration products that contain F-Gas must meet requirements regarding record keeping and maintenance of the air conditioning system
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – All commercial properties that consist of more than 500 m2 of habitable space must hold an Energy Performance Certificate by law
TM44 Regulation – Owners and/or managers of properties with an air conditioner system with an output of over 12kW must organise regular inspections
Other air conditioning regulations
There are some other regulations that you might need to consider when planning your air conditioning installation.
Listed building consent
Just like restricted areas, if you live in a listed building you’ll need to get special consent to install air conditioning in your property. Before starting any installation work, apply for official consent first.
Noise pollution
Although modern air conditioning units tend to be much quieter than old air con systems, you still need to be mindful of any noise that a new installation could cause.
If your air conditioning causes noise issues for your neighbours, you could face having to remove it.
To help minimise any noise issues, it’s a good idea to locate any external air conditioning units as far away from neighbouring properties as possible.
You can also consider using fencing, bushes or other soundproofing solutions to minimise any noise that can be heard.
F-gas regulations
Most air conditioning systems use refrigerants to cool the air for your home, these cooling chemicals are often referred to as ‘F gases’.
Air conditioning regulations dictate that anyone who carries out an installation or servicing work on an air conditioning system with F-gases needs to have the right qualifications to do so.
When hiring an air conditioning installation specialist, make sure they have the appropriate F-gas certification before hiring them.
Air conditioner distance from boundary in the UK
Ideally, your external air conditioner unit should be located at least a metre from any neighbouring property boundary.
Although, it’s often sensible to locate them as far from neighbours as possible. That way you can avoid any possible complaints due to noise pollution.
For professional advice, speak to your local air conditioning specialists – just make sure you choose an expert with experience and the appropriate qualifications.
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FAQs
Does air conditioning need Building Regulations?
For domestic use, there are currently no specific air conditioning Building Regulations that apply to installing an air conditioning system in your home.
However, we always recommend hiring a qualified air conditioning professional to carry out the installation work.
You’ll also need to make sure that any electrical work meets the relevant British electrical standards.
Building regulations only apply if it's an outdoor unit and within a meter of the boundary.
As long as all electrical work complies with Part P and the unit's energy efficiency complies with Part L, no notification is needed. A registered installer can certify both of those for you.
If in doubt, it's always worth contacting local building control to confirm.
For commercial air conditioning (rather than domestic), you will need to comply with certain Building Regulations.
How far should an AC unit be from a house?
As a general guide, we recommend you locate your AC unit at least one metre from possible obstructions. That includes another air con compressor or condenser unit, walls, fences, or shrubbery.
Do you need planning permission for external air conditioning units?
Not usually. You shouldn't need planning permission for your external air conditioning units if:
The external unit is more than 1 metre away from the boundary of the property
The external unit is installed more than 1 metre from the edge of a flat roof
The external air con unit is not installed on a pitched roof
The compressor unit has a maximum capacity of 0.6m³
There’s no wind turbine at the property
How much does air conditioning cost to install?
The cost of installing air conditioning will depend on the size of your room/house and the type of system you're looking to install. Take a look at our air conditioning cost guide for more information.
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