PolarBreeze

Cool · Clean · Professional

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our AC installation, repair, smart thermostat, and electrical services. Can't find your answer? Call us directly.

General Questions

General Questions

What areas do you cover?

We cover four regions: North London (including Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Islington, Camden, Finchley, Muswell Hill, Wood Green, Tottenham, and more), Hertfordshire (Watford, St Albans, Hertford, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hitchin, Hemel Hempstead, Harpenden, and more), Bedfordshire (Bedford, Luton, Dunstable, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard, and more), and Cambridgeshire (Cambridge, Peterborough, Ely, Huntingdon, and more). Call us if you are unsure — we will confirm coverage straight away.

Are your engineers F-Gas certified?

Yes — every engineer who handles refrigerant on our team holds current F-Gas certification. This is a legal requirement in the UK for any work involving refrigerants, and you should always confirm this before appointing any AC contractor.

Are you fully insured?

Yes. We carry public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance as standard on every job. Copies of our insurance certificates are available on request.

Do you work on residential and commercial properties?

Yes — we work with homeowners, landlords, letting agents, and commercial clients. Whether you need a single room unit in a flat or a multi-zone VRV system for an office building, we can help.

How do I get a quote?

Contact us by phone, email, or via our online form to arrange a free no-obligation site survey. We visit your property, assess the space, and provide a detailed written quote within 24 hours. There is no charge for the survey and no obligation to proceed.

What brands do you work with?

For air conditioning, we supply and install Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, and Samsung systems. For smart thermostats, we install and configure Nest, Hive, Tado, and Drayton Wiser. We also service and repair all major AC brands, not just the ones we install.

AC Installation

AC Installation

How much does air conditioning installation cost?

A single-room split system installation typically costs £1,200–£2,500 all-in, depending on unit specification and installation complexity. Two-room systems typically cost £2,200–£4,000. Multi-room or commercial systems are quoted individually. All prices include supply, installation, electrical work, and commissioning — we don't split these out as hidden extras.

How long does AC installation take?

A single-room split system is usually installed in 4–6 hours. A two-room system typically takes a full working day. Multi-room or commercial installations may take 1–2 days depending on scope. We give you a precise time estimate in your written quotation.

Do I need planning permission for air conditioning?

In most cases, no. Residential split-system AC installations are usually permitted development under UK planning regulations. Listed buildings and properties in conservation areas may require permission, however. We'll flag this and advise during your site survey if it applies to you.

What's the difference between a split system and a multi-split system?

A split system consists of one outdoor unit connected to one indoor unit, covering a single room or zone. A multi-split system has one outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units (typically 2–5), allowing different rooms to be cooled or heated independently. Multi-split systems are more efficient for whole-home coverage than running separate single systems.

Can air conditioning be used for heating in winter?

Yes — all modern inverter-type split systems operate as heat pumps, meaning they can both cool in summer and heat in winter. They are significantly more efficient at heating than electric heaters or panel radiators, typically delivering 3–4 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed.

Do you install commercial air conditioning systems?

Yes — we install commercial AC systems including Daikin VRV and Mitsubishi City Multi systems for offices, retail premises, server rooms, and other commercial applications. Commercial systems are quoted after a site survey.

How noisy is a split-system AC unit?

Modern split-system units are very quiet — typically 19–25 dB for the indoor unit (whisper-quiet) and 45–50 dB for the outdoor unit (similar to a quiet conversation at 1 metre). Noise levels are included in the product spec sheets we share as part of your quotation.

AC Repair & Servicing

AC Repair & Servicing

My AC is blowing warm air — what's wrong?

The most common causes are low refrigerant (usually due to a slow leak), a dirty or blocked air filter, a faulty compressor, or a refrigerant valve issue. Our engineer can diagnose the exact cause on-site and provide a fixed-price repair quote before any work begins.

How often should air conditioning be serviced?

We recommend an annual service for residential systems and bi-annual servicing for commercial systems that run continuously. Regular servicing maintains efficiency, extends equipment lifespan, and helps identify issues before they become costly failures.

Do you offer emergency or same-day callout?

We offer same-week appointments for most repair calls, and can often attend on the same day or next day depending on our schedule and your location. Call us to check availability — we'll always try to accommodate urgent requests.

Can you service and repair any AC brand?

Yes — we service and repair all major air conditioning brands, including Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Fujitsu, Toshiba, and others. You do not need to use the original installer.

Do you carry spare parts?

Our engineers carry common spare parts for Mitsubishi, Daikin, and Samsung systems. Less common parts are typically sourced and ordered within 24–48 hours. We will always confirm availability and give you a timeline before starting a repair.

What does an annual AC service include?

A full annual service includes: cleaning of filters and indoor coil, cleaning or flushing of the condensate drain, check of refrigerant pressure and system performance, inspection of electrical connections, and a full system test. We provide a written service report on completion.

Smart Thermostats

Smart Thermostats

Which smart thermostats do you install?

We supply and install Google Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Thermostat E, Hive Active Heating, Tado Smart Thermostat, and Drayton Wiser systems. We recommend the best option for your existing boiler and heating setup after a free site assessment.

Will a smart thermostat work with my existing boiler?

In the vast majority of cases, yes. Smart thermostats are compatible with most combi boilers, conventional boilers with a separate hot water cylinder, and system boilers. We carry out a compatibility check before recommending a product. If your system requires any additional wiring or adaptors, we'll include this in the quote.

How much can I save on energy bills with a smart thermostat?

Independent studies suggest smart thermostats reduce heating bills by 15–30% on average, depending on your previous thermostat and usage habits. The device typically pays for itself within 1–2 years through energy savings alone.

Do you set up the app and configure the thermostat?

Yes — app setup and full configuration is included in every smart thermostat installation. We download the app on your smartphone (or multiple phones if required), connect to your Wi-Fi, set up your heating schedule, and give you a hands-on walkthrough of all the key features before we leave.

Can a smart thermostat control hot water as well as heating?

Yes — on conventional boiler systems with a separate hot water cylinder, smart thermostats like Nest and Hive can control both heating and hot water independently. This requires slightly more complex wiring, which we handle as part of the installation.

Electrical Work

Electrical Work

Are your electricians Part P registered?

Yes — all electrical work is carried out by our own Part P registered electricians. On completion of any notifiable electrical work, we issue the relevant certificates and notify the local authority where required by regulations.

Do you upgrade consumer units (fuse boards)?

Yes — we upgrade older rewirable fuse boards and early RCD boards to modern RCD- and RCBO-protected consumer units. Upgrades are often required by insurers, and significantly improve electrical safety. All upgrades are fully certified and notified to the local authority.

Can you install a dedicated electrical circuit for an AC unit?

Yes — all our AC installations include a dedicated electrical circuit where required. We also install standalone dedicated circuits in properties where one is needed. Circuit installation is included in our AC installation quotes.

Can you prepare an electrical circuit for an EV charger?

Yes — we can install a dedicated 32A or 40A circuit from the consumer unit to the appropriate location for an EV charge point. We work alongside EV charger installers, or can advise on suitable OZEV-approved installers in your area.

Costs & Pricing

Costs & Pricing

How much does a single-room AC installation cost?

A single-room split system installation typically costs £1,200–£2,500 all-in. This includes the unit, all refrigerant pipework, a dedicated electrical circuit, and commissioning. Exact cost depends on the unit specification you choose and the installation complexity (wall type, pipe run length, floor level). We provide a firm written quote after a free site survey — the price we quote is the price you pay.

How much does a multi-room AC system cost?

A 2-room multi-split system typically costs £2,200–£4,000. A 3-room system runs from approximately £3,200–£5,500. 4 and 5-zone systems are quoted individually. All prices include supply, installation, electrical work, and commissioning — we do not split these out as hidden extras.

Do you charge for site surveys and quotations?

No — site surveys and written quotations are completely free and carry no obligation. We visit your property, assess the space, and provide a fully itemised written quote within 24 hours. There is no pressure to proceed.

What does the price include?

All our AC installation quotes include: the outdoor and indoor unit(s), all copper refrigerant pipework, insulation and trunking, a dedicated electrical circuit (where required), full commissioning and pressure testing, app configuration where applicable, and warranty registration. There are no hidden call-out fees or material surcharges.

Are there any ongoing costs after installation?

Beyond electricity running costs, the main ongoing expense is an annual service (typically £100–£150 for a single system). This is optional but recommended to maintain warranty validity and system efficiency. We offer annual service contracts for peace of mind.

Do you offer any finance or payment options?

We accept bank transfer, card payment, and can discuss staged payment arrangements for larger installations. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.

Aftercare & Warranties

Aftercare & Warranties

What warranty do I get on a new AC installation?

All systems come with the manufacturer's parts and labour warranty — typically 2 years standard, extendable to 5 years with Panasonic and Mitsubishi when registered. We register the warranty on your behalf during commissioning as standard. Our own labour is also guaranteed.

How do I extend my Panasonic warranty?

Panasonic offers a free 5-year extended warranty when systems are installed by a registered installer and registered online within 30 days of installation. We handle this registration for every Panasonic system we install — you don't need to do anything.

What is included in an annual AC service?

A full annual service includes: thorough cleaning of all filters and indoor coil, inspection and cleaning of the condensate drain and tray, refrigerant pressure check against manufacturer specification, inspection of electrical connections and controls, full operational test of all modes and fan speeds, and a written service report. We leave your system running at peak efficiency.

Do you offer annual service contracts?

Yes — we offer annual service contracts for both single systems and multi-unit installations. A service contract gives you a fixed annual price, priority booking, and the peace of mind that your system is maintained to manufacturer standard every year.

What do I do if my AC develops a fault after installation?

Contact us directly. If the fault occurs within the warranty period, we will attend and diagnose at no charge. If parts are required, we manage the warranty claim with the manufacturer on your behalf. Outside of warranty, we provide a fixed-price repair quote before any work begins.

How do I look after my AC between services?

The main thing you can do is clean or replace the indoor unit's filter every 4–8 weeks during heavy use — this is a simple task and your unit's manual shows exactly how. Keeping the area around the outdoor unit clear of debris also helps efficiency. Beyond that, an annual professional service covers everything else.

Still Have Questions?

Talk to Our Team

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Call us directly or send us a message and we'll get back to you the same day.