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Air Conditioning Installation

Where Can the Outdoor Unit Go?

The options for placing an air conditioning outdoor unit — ground, wall bracket, balcony or flat roof — and how we choose.

Updated 3 November 2026

The outdoor unit is the part people worry about most — where will it go, will it be noisy, will it be in the way? Here are the options and how we decide what suits your property.

On the ground

If you have a suitable spot at ground level — a patio, a side passage, a flat bit of garden — that's often the simplest option. The unit sits on a solid, level pad and the pipework runs to it from the indoor unit.

Ground mounting keeps the unit easy to access for servicing and keeps it off the wall. It needs a spot where it won't be kicked or blocked, and where the airflow isn't restricted.

On a wall bracket

If ground space is tight, the outdoor unit can go on a wall bracket. That's common on terraced houses and properties without much outside floor space. The bracket is fixed securely to a solid wall and the unit sits on it, clear of the ground.

We choose a wall that can take the weight and a position where the unit's running won't cause a nuisance. We'll talk you through it before we fit it.

On a balcony or flat roof

For flats and some modern homes, a balcony or a flat roof can be the right spot. The unit needs a level surface and proper clearance for airflow, and the pipework has to reach it cleanly.

This option depends on the building and any rules that apply. We'll look at what's possible and advise honestly — if it's not suitable, we'll say so.

Noise and neighbours

The outdoor unit does make a sound when it runs — it's a fan and a compressor. Modern inverter units are quieter than older ones, but we still place them thoughtfully, away from bedroom windows and neighbour boundaries where we can.

If you live in a terrace or a flat, we'll talk through the placement with that in mind. A bit of thought at the fitting stage saves trouble later.

How we decide

We look at your property, the room the indoor unit is going in, and the options for the outdoor unit, and recommend the best spot. We'll explain why, and we'll confirm it with you before any drilling starts.

There's usually a good option for every property — it's just a question of finding it. If you're worried about where the unit will go, tell us and we'll talk it through.

Common questions

Can the outdoor unit go in a front garden?

It can, if there's a suitable solid, level spot and the pipework can reach it. We'll advise on the best position for your property and confirm it with you before we start.

How noisy is the outdoor unit?

Modern inverter units are quieter than older air conditioning, but the outdoor unit does have a fan and compressor. We place it thoughtfully, away from bedroom windows and neighbours where we can.

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