Is it possible to install an air conditioner on a balcony?
Installation of an air conditioner on a balcony may be required in a situation where installation of an external unit of the system on an external wall is prohibited by the charter of the house committee. This method is also used if the house is considered historical value, and damage to the integrity of its facade is not allowed. To comply with existing requirements, users often install air conditioning on balconies or loggias. Let’s take a closer look at what nuances should be taken into account.
Features of installing an air conditioner on a balcony
Is it possible to install an air conditioner on the balcony? Of course. This option would be a good way out of the situation, because placing equipment on a loggia/balcony is not a violation. This part of the apartment is also considered a personal space where the user can install everything he considers necessary.
Before you begin installing the external air conditioner unit on the balcony, you can read reviews about this method on the pages of our website. To begin with, it is worth providing for the required amount of incoming cool air. This technique allows you to maintain the optimal temperature around it, avoiding overheating of the device itself and its premature failure. If the air conditioner is installed on a glazed loggia or balcony, you will have to keep three to five window sashes open, ensuring continuous circulation of cool air masses. Otherwise, when the critical heating temperature reaches +45 degrees, the equipment will stop working, reporting an error, which may negatively affect its performance.
An important nuance is that the product does not produce cold air, it only smoothly transfers warm currents from the room to the outside environment and vice versa. That is why, when installing an air conditioner on a balcony, it is worth considering an effective system for removing excess heated flows.
Common mistakes when installing an air conditioner on a balcony
When installing an air conditioner on a balcony, especially when it is done independently, without involving professionals, users often make a number of mistakes. It is precisely such inaccuracies that can significantly reduce the service life, add inconvenience when using equipment, and reduce its effectiveness. The most common mistakes often include:
- purchasing a product with a minimum power that does not correspond to the serviced area of the premises;
- lack of special drainage for condensate, which can cause excess moisture to form on the walls of the balcony, which will subsequently lead to mold;
- masking the split system with decorative overlays, which can cause blocking of access to cool air masses and, as a result, provoke premature failure of the equipment;
- the use of non-hermetic structures when creating an air exhaust system.
As a result of such errors, the user may complain about a large amount of noise and incorrect operation of the product. It is worth taking care of timely maintenance of air conditioners and refueling. For proper operation, it is recommended to clean the filters at least once a month for heavy contamination or once a quarter for moderate contamination. Experts recommend refilling the air conditioner with freon once a year.
If the equipment has stopped working and cannot be repaired, you should entrust the dismantling of air conditioners to professionals. You can turn to our company’s specialists for help, who will quickly complete the required list of works, taking into account all norms and requirements.
Advantages and disadvantages of installing an air conditioner on the balcony
Not all residents of the capital know whether it is possible to install an external air conditioner unit on the balcony. Our experts say that it is possible and necessary, especially if there is no alternative option for its placement. Before doing this, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the positive and negative aspects of installing air conditioners in such a place.
The advantages of this solution include:
- ease of installation – there is no need to use special equipment and safety structures;
- durability – equipment is less exposed to external factors, so its service life increases by 2.5 times;
- ease of filter maintenance;
- availability of purchase and installation – due to the short length of the freon line, the cost of installation is significantly reduced.
At the same time, the following factors are considered to be disadvantages:
- impracticality – if you install the device on a glazed balcony or loggia, you must constantly keep 3 to 5 doors open to ensure a continuous supply of fresh air;
- size – the product takes up a lot of space;
- vulnerability – in the warm season, constant heat on the loggia negatively affects the performance of the equipment.
When installing on a loggia, the user should consider a special drain for condensate to ensure normal operation of the product at all times. If you are not sure that you can carry out the entire range of work yourself and still doubt whether it is possible to install the air conditioner on the balcony, we recommend that you use the advice and services of our company’s specialists.