Air conditioning installation, servicing and repair in Bolney

Many modern split systems are air-to-air heat pumps, which means they can heat a room in winter as well as cool it in summer. Whether a particular unit does both depends on the model, so ask about heating when you plan a new system.

Many houses in England can fit an outdoor unit under permitted development rights, without a planning application, as long as the unit meets set conditions on size, position and noise. Listed buildings, conservation areas and flats are treated differently, so check with your council before you book.

Rooms that overheat in summer gain the most: loft bedrooms, south or west facing living rooms, conservatories, garden rooms and home offices full of equipment. A bedroom unit also makes a big difference to sleep on warm nights.

The size depends on the room's floor area, ceiling height, insulation, windows and how much sun it gets. A unit should be sized for the room on a survey rather than picked from a chart, because too big or too small both cause problems.

Outdoor units make a low hum from the fan and compressor while they run. Placing the unit away from a neighbour's windows, bedrooms and patio, and on a solid fixing with anti-vibration mounts, keeps that to a minimum.

HC Air Conditioning is based in Bolney and works across Sussex, including Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Cuckfield, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, Henfield, Steyning, Horsham, Crawley, East Grinstead, Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Shoreham-by-Sea, Worthing and Uckfield.

Most manufacturers recommend a service at least once a year, with the filters cleaned more often while the system is in regular use. Your system's manual gives the interval for your model.

Check the power, the remote's batteries and mode, and whether the filters are clogged. If that does not help, note any error code or flashing light on the indoor unit and send us an enquiry with the make and model.

In the UK, installing, regassing or repairing a leak on the refrigerant circuit must be done by someone who holds the right F-Gas certificate. It is reasonable to ask any engineer to show theirs.