What this work covers
Air-conditioner installation fixes the indoor and outdoor units, connects the prepared refrigerant pipes, drain, power, and communication cables, and removes air and moisture from the sealed pipework before cooling begins. A mounted unit is only the visible part. Vacuum, leak testing, condensate drainage, insulation, and a complete test run decide whether problems remain hidden above the ceiling.
When this work is needed
This stage follows completion of the concealed air-conditioning pipes, ceiling framing, and dedicated power supply. If the indoor-unit positions, capacity, or number of units has changed, recheck pipe length and diameter, continuous drain fall, and outdoor-unit compatibility before connecting the new equipment.
Decide before installation
Plan how each room will be cooled and how the equipment will be serviced before choosing the final models.
- Indoor-unit capacity and discharge direction for each room, avoiding direct air onto furniture, curtains, and lights
- Outdoor-unit quantity and location, with ventilation, maintenance access, and control of noise and vibration
- Refrigerant-pipe length and additional charge, drain route, concealed joints, and whether a condensate pump is required
- Access panels for filters, drains, and pipe joints, plus remote and wired controller locations
Check in the quote
Separate equipment supply from connection, evacuation, leakage checks, drainage tests, and finish adjustment.
- Are all indoor and outdoor models listed with included pipe length and charges for extra pipe and refrigerant?
- Are outdoor supports, vibration pads, anchors, lifting, and high-level safety work included?
- Are new flare ends, specified tightening torque, a held vacuum, and refrigerant leak testing included?
- Are drain-flow testing, continuous insulation sealing, ceiling-panel adjustment, commissioning, and handover included?
If you share ceiling and outdoor-unit photographs, equipment models, pipe drawings, or a quote, I can help check positions and missing connection or commissioning work.
What to check on site
Inspect the prepared pipes and drainage before hanging the units, then finish with cooling and condensate tests for each unit.
- Installation Position and Equipment Ready
Compare every indoor-unit and access-panel position with the drawing. Check that refrigerant pipes are not crushed or kinked and that the drain falls continuously to its outlet. At the outdoor location, provide free airflow, vibration isolation, and safe maintenance access. - Indoor Unit and Piping Connected
Suspend the indoor unit level from structure and adjust its panel to the finished ceiling. Form new flare ends and tighten them to specification, connect the drain and insulation without gaps at the joints, and terminate power and communication cables to their marked terminals. - Outdoor Unit, Vacuum, and Test Operation Complete
Secure the outdoor unit, evacuate the pipework long enough to remove air and moisture, and confirm that the vacuum holds. Run cooling to check discharge temperature, noise, and vibration, then pour water into each drain pan and watch it leave without leaking above the ceiling.
Where problems usually start
- Weak cooling and ice on the indoor coil Air and moisture left in refrigerant pipework after an inadequate vacuum can disrupt circulation and freeze the indoor heat exchanger.
- Condensate dripping through the ceiling A drain that sags or rises away from its outlet lets water return to the indoor unit and overflow above the finished ceiling.
- Refrigerant escaping at a flare joint A damaged copper flare or incorrect tightening torque may hold briefly, then leak slowly and reduce cooling capacity over time.
- Condensation stains around concealed pipes Gaps in insulation around cold copper and joints allow humid ceiling air to condense and wet plasterboard and paint.
When cooling feels weak, do not start by adding refrigerant. Check filters and settings, outdoor airflow, pipe leakage, and the evacuation record in order so the same fault does not return.
Keep unit models and serial numbers, measured pipe lengths, flare and insulation photographs, vacuum readings, leak-test results, drain-flow tests, and a commissioning video for each indoor unit.
Timing and records
Allow about 8 to 16 hours, depending on unit count, outdoor-unit lifting, and repairs to prepared pipework. With several indoor units, test drainage and cooling one unit at a time rather than accepting a single general run.
Retain warranties and installation certificates, pipe lengths and added refrigerant, evacuation and leak results, outdoor fixings, and individual discharge-temperature and drainage records.
Air-conditioning depends on ceiling structure, dedicated power, and prepared pipework agreeing on one drawing before finishes close the services.