Air conditioning unit fitted. Now external Pipework looks an eyesore. How to I hide?

[365drills]

Just fitted an air conditioning unit to the bedroom.

(Yes the 1.5 days of sunshine prompted me to part with £250 at B&Q for one)

But the external pipework is looking a bit of an eyesore...

Inside I have squirted "No more big gaps" into the 80mm hole. Then re-papered.

But now my outside pipe work looks a bit of a right old eye-sore so I wanted ideas on any ways to conceal it?

Is there any company out there that does a brick coloured cover?

Had a few "comments" from the neighbours...

 

[Lead-Free]

Re: Air conditioning unit fitted. Now external Pipework looks an eyesore. How to I hi

So, thats what they mean by saying, you have to think outside the box

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

Re: Air conditioning unit fitted. Now external Pipework looks an eyesore. How to I hi

Wow initiative at its best you should be proud of that

Hope the ink does run in the rain though

 

[Jimbob]

Re: Air conditioning unit fitted. Now external Pipework looks an eyesore. How to I hi

I reckon if you went in and kicked up a little fuss they'd happily do it. They do anything to shut people up. And they probably wouldnt be losing out. Worth doing for that money i think.
As for the pipes, id say trunking could look just as bad and id just clip them both down level and be done with it.

ops didnt see the laters posts, nice job

 

[365drills]

Re: Air conditioning unit fitted. Now external Pipework looks an eyesore. How to I hi

Cheers guys!

Hopefully that will calm the neigbours!

 

[naz]

Re: Air conditioning unit fitted. Now external Pipework looks an eyesore. How to I hi

To answer all questions. The unit is a split unit and the base or external section has to be at least 1.4m lower than the internal unit.

The pipework cant go up into the ceiling void and then down because it would trap condensation and moisture.

If you look you can see two pipes. One is the refrigerant pipe and the second is a drain from the internal unit. If the drain pipe was not pointing down then water gets trapped. They show a pipe drop.

The refrigerant pipe is 4m long and is pre-filled with gas and liquid. The idea is that you snap it to the external unit in one go like a Propane Gas bottle fitting. Then the system is charged and ready go.

The contents of that cream sleeve is actually copper pipes that can bend a little but are pre-filled and charged with the refrigerant. Quite delicate. If your external unit is less than 4m then you cant cut them. You have to loop or snake them.

Thanks for the advice to move the gutter downpipe along to cover the pipes. I had removed it to start the fixing but it might make sense to change the exit on the gutter so that it falls with the a/c pipes and helps conceal them. Thanks!

Grrrrrr thanks for showing me the new B&Q prices Puddle.... I am furious that having just bought the unit at half price down from £500 to £250 that they have decided to go 75% off and go to £125.

Yes its the same unit so it looks like a genuine bargain for you guys. So if you are wanting a unit then £125 is about as low as it gets. I wonder if I can take my reciept back to B&Q and argue with them... I feel cheated!! (Boo Hoo). Why does this always happen to me!!!

Migoplumber. Yes its reverse cycle so if you want heat from it then - bingo. It works.

Hello All

Can you please let me know if this is 9000 BTU or 12000 BTU, the one I have bought, the pipes exit from the left of the indoor unit and your pipes show exiting from the right of the indoor unit.

Thanks

 

[flat pack]

Re: Air conditioning unit fitted. Now external Pipework looks an eyesore. How to I hi

better to drop the pipes inside and drill at low level.
it could have save installing your artwork

question did you get planning for this

 

[365drills]

Re: Air conditioning unit fitted. Now external Pipework looks an eyesore. How to I hi

Hi yes its possible to unclip and bend the pipes in this unit so that they exit from the right instead of the left. When the unit arrives the pipes are pre-bent to exit from the left so you have to force them.

But with some courage you can bend then 180 degees fully so they exit the right if thats what you want. Of course you can also bend them 90 and that means the pipes exit the wall behind the wall.

I did consider chasing the bedroom wall and having the pipes exit lower but the upheaval and the dust kind of put me off. Plus the agro of replastering that internal wall. And then the redecoration.

It was easier to go for the straight exit out. Also those internal walls are not breeze block but solid thick cement blocks from the 1960's I am not sure what chaos would ensue if I had cut them out with a cold chisel.

Planning Permission?

http://www.*********.com/jpgs/tumbleweed.gif
Yes of course...!