Impact of installing Air Conditioning in Flat on Energy Rating

saskay

Ally_E. said:

Your best bet is to look at making your portable aircon as efficient as possible. There are covers for windows to reduce hot air blowing in, if you're using the aircon without anything to stop the hot air blowing in, of course it's not working properly and is using up energy like crazy. Here's the type of covering on velcro that we use during the summer with our portable 9000BTU aircon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Portable-Conditioner-158Inch-Exchange/dp/B099Z2NJ9B/ref=sr_1_3?crid=CKOVXLQV2L99&keywords=aircon+window&qid=1651230112&sprefix=air+con+window,aps,60&sr=8-3 It's a bit tidious to fit it making sure there are no gaps for warm air to come through, but once set up you can leave it for the whole of the summer and use the zip to open window to air out. 

I had a look at our energy consumption and we used around 15kw/h a day when using the unit with a missing plug for condensation, which mean the water was draining out and aircon was mostly working on compressor. When we ordered the missing plug from manufacturer, the energy use went down to 6kw/h a day. Our bedroom would also warm up to 28-32 degrees and was south facing. 

And like someone already mentioned above make sure you have blinds, we had 2 sets. Blackout blind and a heavy venetian blinds, plus curtains. All of them were closed at all times during the heatwaves to reduce the room heating up. 

That's a good suggestion - I just ordered the cover you suggested.

Petriix

I would also factor in the potentially enormous savings in heating costs - assuming you're all electric. Running aircon on reverse for heating at a COP of 3-4 will save you hundreds vs storage heaters. 

wittynamegoeshere

Petriix said:

I would also factor in the potentially enormous savings in heating costs - assuming you're all electric. Running aircon on reverse for heating at a COP of 3-4 will save you hundreds vs storage heaters. 

Thankfully someone said it!  You will save on running costs in the winter, this is a very good thing to do.

We're planning on a multi-split or two as our heating system, in a bungalow with concrete floors and a big loft so installing radiators is messy and difficult, blower units on the top of the wall much simpler, running pipework through the loft.  We may use it to cool on very hot days, but this is a bonus feature not a part of the plan.

So yes, as a result of looking at ways of cooling in the summer you may have just stumbled upon a way of saving lots of money on heating in the winter.  Win-win!

However, this would be a major expense, we're talking £1000s.  You'd be mad to do this if the place is rented.  Don't give your landlord free gifts, you could ask them to install it or just move to somewhere more suitable.

If you're renting then the portable air con with window blocker makes more sense.  Alternatively window-mounted units are popular in the USA, I don't know if they're available here.  You need a sliding sash window, basically it clamps inside the opening so at least you get some of the noise outside (possible neighbour nuisance though) and it can probably drip its condensate out too, if it won't affect neighbours e.g. splashing over or into the windows below.

Ultrasonic

saskay said:

BUFF said:

saskay said:

1. Are there any Eco-friendly things I could do to reduce the amount of sun coming to my flat? Are there any type of climbing plants that I could use to provide shade over the window to block some of the sunlight? Any other suggestions welcome.
   

Do you already have blinds ?

No, only black out curtains.

Do you keep these closed all day during hot weather? It will make a huge difference if you do. 

QrizB

wittynamegoeshere said:

Alternatively window-mounted units are popular in the USA, I don't know if they're available here.

I've looked quite hard for a reversible window unit in the UK but haven't found one, sadly. It would work quite well in Mrs QrizB's art shed.

saskay

wittynamegoeshere said:

Petriix said:

I would also factor in the potentially enormous savings in heating costs - assuming you're all electric. Running aircon on reverse for heating at a COP of 3-4 will save you hundreds vs storage heaters. 

Thankfully someone said it!  You will save on running costs in the winter, this is a very good thing to do.

We're planning on a multi-split or two as our heating system, in a bungalow with concrete floors and a big loft so installing radiators is messy and difficult, blower units on the top of the wall much simpler, running pipework through the loft.  We may use it to cool on very hot days, but this is a bonus feature not a part of the plan.

So yes, as a result of looking at ways of cooling in the summer you may have just stumbled upon a way of saving lots of money on heating in the winter.  Win-win!

However, this would be a major expense, we're talking £1000s.  You'd be mad to do this if the place is rented.  Don't give your landlord free gifts, you could ask them to install it or just move to somewhere more suitable.

If you're renting then the portable air con with window blocker makes more sense.  Alternatively window-mounted units are popular in the USA, I don't know if they're available here.  You need a sliding sash window, basically it clamps inside the opening so at least you get some of the noise outside (possible neighbour nuisance though) and it can probably drip its condensate out too, if it won't affect neighbours e.g. splashing over or into the windows below.

Thanks, no I'm the leaseholder of the flat. So if I were to rent the place out then hopefully my tenants will also appreciate the air con.

saskay

Ultrasonic said:

saskay said:

BUFF said:

saskay said:

1. Are there any Eco-friendly things I could do to reduce the amount of sun coming to my flat? Are there any type of climbing plants that I could use to provide shade over the window to block some of the sunlight? Any other suggestions welcome.
   

Do you already have blinds ?

No, only black out curtains.

Do you keep these closed all day during hot weather? It will make a huge difference if you do. 

Yes, the problem is the curtains are very dark on both sides, so the heat radiates out of the curtain too. I should probably have a white one facing the window.

BUFF

saskay said:

BUFF said:

saskay said:

1. Are there any Eco-friendly things I could do to reduce the amount of sun coming to my flat? Are there any type of climbing plants that I could use to provide shade over the window to block some of the sunlight? Any other suggestions welcome.
   

Do you already have blinds ?

No, only black out curtains.

You can get sheer/light filtering if you want light during the day but some modicum of protection from the full brunt of the sun's  heat. e.g.https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/sandvedel-roller-blind-beige-20467200/#content

I also thought about suggesting an awning but wasn't sure about the practicalities of installing & planning. Similarly, if you aren't bothered about light you could go for typical continental type external roller blinds.

chris_n

You are much better off keeping the light out from outside, if you close your curtains you inevitably end up with a very hot space between the curtain and the window. It is better to use an external shutter (insulated roller shutter?). If you use an awning you will keep the sun out during the afternoon but in the evening the sun will be too low and will still stream in unless you have something else lower down. We have an awning here in Austria but we also have a retractable vertical awning across the terrace for later on.

Ultrasonic

saskay said:

Ultrasonic said:

saskay said:

BUFF said:

saskay said:

1. Are there any Eco-friendly things I could do to reduce the amount of sun coming to my flat? Are there any type of climbing plants that I could use to provide shade over the window to block some of the sunlight? Any other suggestions welcome.
   

Do you already have blinds ?

No, only black out curtains.

Do you keep these closed all day during hot weather? It will make a huge difference if you do. 

Yes, the problem is the curtains are very dark on both sides, so the heat radiates out of the curtain too. I should probably have a white one facing the window.

I've had good effect myself from curtains that were a dark purple on both sides in front of patio doors on my lounge. I replaced these with 'thermal' curtains a few months ago which are white on the outside but I've yet to see how they perform in summer.

As mentioned above, shutters on the outside will be better but I've always been quite impressed how much benefit comes from closing curtains on the inside. If you're doing this and still finding it often too hot then clearly it's not enough though.