What Does an AC Installation Kit Include?

When planning an air conditioning installation in your home, you might see references to installation kits. These kits are often supplied with systems or offered as extras by suppliers. But what do they actually include, and are they enough to complete the job?

For homeowners across Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire, knowing what comes with an installation kit helps you understand what you are buying and where additional work will still be required.

The Purpose of an Installation Kit

An AC installation kit is designed to provide the basic parts needed to connect indoor and outdoor units. It is often sold as a convenience bundle for installers or DIY users purchasing portable or low-capacity systems. For permanent split systems, kits should only be used by certified engineers, as refrigerant handling is strictly regulated under UK law.

What a Typical Kit Includes

Most kits include:

• Pre-insulated copper pipework: Refrigerant pipes of a standard length, usually 3m to 5m, insulated to prevent energy loss.
• Interconnecting cable: Control wiring that allows communication between indoor and outdoor units.
• Condensate drain hose: Pipework to remove condensation from the indoor unit.
• Wall sleeve and putty: To seal the hole in the wall where pipes pass through.
• Mounting brackets or feet: For securing the outdoor condenser to a wall or flat surface.

These items cover the basics of connecting the units physically and functionally.

What a Kit Does Not Include

It is important to understand the limitations of an installation kit. These kits do not include:

• The air conditioning units themselves (indoor or outdoor).
• Electrical power supply to the outdoor unit, which must be installed and certificated by a qualified electrician.
• Additional pipework for longer runs beyond the standard length.
• Professional commissioning, which is always required to check refrigerant charge and ensure safe operation.
• Warranty registration with the manufacturer.

This means that a kit alone does not represent a full installation service.

Local Case Studies

• A homeowner in Oxford purchased a system online with an installation kit. They still required a professional installer to supply additional pipework, commission the system, and connect to the mains supply.
• In Winchester, a family upgraded to a multi split system. Although kits were supplied, the installer sourced custom pipework lengths and handled commissioning.
• A property in Farnham had a single split system installed using a standard kit, but electrical works by a certified electrician added £450 to the final cost.

These examples show that while kits provide essentials, they are never the whole package.

Why Professional Input Is Still Required

Even if you have an installation kit, professional support is still needed because:

• Refrigerant pipework must be cut, flared, and connected by F-Gas certified engineers.
• Systems require commissioning, including vacuum testing and pressure checks.
• Only professionals can provide the certificates required for warranties and legal compliance.

Without this, the installation is incomplete and potentially unsafe.

Installation Kits and Homeowners

For UK homeowners, installation kits are not something you need to purchase separately. Professional installers provide all necessary parts and labour as part of a complete installation service. Kits are more relevant to trade buyers or DIY users abroad, where regulations differ.

At ClimateWorks, we include everything required for a complete installation across Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire. Our customers never need to worry about sourcing kits or additional parts.

References

• UK Government – F-Gas Regulations
• Planning Portal – Air Conditioning Guidance
• Energy Saving Trust – Cooling Guidance

Author Bio

Dr Julian Carter is Technical and Compliance Director at ClimateWorks. With over 25 years of experience in air conditioning, refrigeration, and ventilation, he oversees compliance with UK regulations and system performance standards. Julian has managed installations across Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, and Oxfordshire, delivering both small residential projects and large ducted systems. As a visiting professor at a UK university, he lectures on building services engineering and energy performance, ensuring ClimateWorks projects are built on a foundation of technical expertise and compliance.

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