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Air conditioning in a block of flats in Brno: what to consider
Installing air conditioning in a block of flats in Líšeň or Bystrc differs more than expected from doing so in a brick house in the centre: from permits to where exactly to mount the outdoor unit.
Do you need consent from the building's owners' association or housing cooperative?
An outdoor unit mounted on the façade of a panel building encroaches on the common areas, so the building's owners' association or housing cooperative will almost always require consent. I recommend requesting this in advance, attaching a photo or simple sketch of the proposed location, and even providing proof of F-gas certification, which committees in Brno routinely ask to see. In brick houses in the city centre, such as on Žabovřeskách or in Brno-střed, negotiations are usually simpler. You often deal only with one or two neighbours rather than the entire SVJ committee of a panel block with dozens of flats.
Where to install the outdoor unit in a high-rise apartment block
On panel estates in Líšeň and Bystrc, most flats have a loggia or balcony where the outdoor unit can be mounted on a stand. This solution does not affect the façade and is quieter for neighbours on the floor below. Where there is no loggia or it is too small, the unit is mounted on a bracket directly onto the façade, ideally beside the window, not above the window of the flat below you. For revitalised façades with insulation, we arrange fixing so that the bracket supports the weight of the unit without damaging the insulation or loosening over time.
Core drilling through a concrete panel versus a brick wall
Panel walls are usually thicker and reinforced with steel rebar, so we use a diamond core drill for the refrigerant pipe penetration. This takes longer and requires careful progress to avoid hitting the reinforcement. Brick walls in central Brno are drilled faster, but historic buildings often have thicker or multi-layered masonry, so the drill bit length must also be appropriate. In both cases, once completed, I seal the penetration against moisture and drafts to prevent draughts.
Noise levels and consideration for neighbours
In apartment blocks, noise is more noticeable than in detached houses on the outskirts of Brno. That is why for flats I choose quieter outdoor unit locations and vibration pads under the bracket to prevent vibrations from transmitting into the structure. The indoor unit is never installed above a bed or directly over a sofa, so you are not subjected to an air stream blowing on your head all night.
How many units a panel building facade can support
In the housing estates of Líšeň and Bystrc, you will find buildings where the façade is covered with outdoor units placed side by side. Some building owners' associations therefore establish uniform rules on exactly where a unit may be installed to prevent the building from looking like it is cluttered with air conditioners on one wall. Before submitting your request for consent, it pays to discuss the location with me in advance. I will propose an option that will gain the committee's approval and also makes technical sense in terms of pipe run length.
When a multi-split system is better suited for a panel building
If you plan to air-condition several rooms at once, it makes more sense in an apartment block to install one multisplit system with a single outdoor unit rather than two or three separate splits side by side: the façade remains cleaner and the building's owners' association can grant approval more easily. We handle flats in panel buildings in Bohunice similarly, where the façade has been revitalised and the committee ensures that no more units are added than necessary.
What if the building is insulated in the future?
If the building's owners' association plans facade insulation after our installation, we can prepare for this now, by selecting a longer bracket or accounting for the unit being temporarily removed and reinstalled during insulation. It is worth informing me immediately whether revitalisation is already underway or still under discussion in the committee, so I can factor this into the placement in advance.
The installation price for a panel building does not differ much.
The work itself costs similarly to a brick house, though core drilling may sometimes be added. Exact amounts and what the price comprises are detailed in my article about Installation of air conditioning in Brno and its progressIf you are still deciding on the power and type of unit for your flat, read our article as well. Which air conditioner is actually suitable for an apartment?.
Would you like a non-binding quote for air conditioning?
Write a few sentences about your flat or house and I will get back to you with a specific amount. Or just call me directly; I take calls at weekends too.