Air Conditioning Without an Outdoor Unit
Fully Internal Air Conditioning for Homes Where an External Condenser Is Not an Option
Want effective air conditioning but cannot install an outdoor unit?
Cool You specialises in fully internal air conditioning without an external condenser. Our water-cooled systems provide powerful, quiet cooling while keeping all of the air conditioning equipment inside your property.
They are particularly suited to London apartments, flats, listed buildings and homes in conservation areas where a conventional external condenser may be difficult, undesirable or restricted.
No outdoor condenser. No external AC box. Powerful cooling inside your home.
Make an Enquiry or Book a Home Survey
Can You Have Air Conditioning Without an Outdoor Unit?
Yes. Traditional split air conditioning normally uses an outdoor condenser to release the heat removed from your room.
Cool You uses a different approach.
Our systems use a compact water-cooled condenser installed inside the property. This means you can have genuine air conditioning without an outdoor unit fixed to the wall, balcony or roof.
Fully internal air conditioning can be particularly useful for:
- Apartments and flats
- Listed buildings
- Conservation areas
- Properties where freeholders do not permit external equipment
- Buildings without a suitable position for an outdoor condenser
- High-end homes where exterior equipment would be undesirable
- Refurbishment projects requiring discreet cooling
Learn more about our water-cooled air conditioning systems.
How Does Air Conditioning Without an External Unit Work?
The basic cooling process is similar to conventional split air conditioning.
The difference is what happens to the heat removed from the room.
A traditional system transfers this heat to an outdoor condenser. A Cool You system uses an internal water-cooled condenser instead.
Water carries the unwanted heat away, so the entire air conditioning system can stay inside the property.
You still benefit from:
- Powerful active cooling
- Quiet operation
- Temperature control
- Dehumidification
- Energy-efficient inverter technology
- Wi-Fi control on suitable systems
- Single-room or multi-room installations
- Wall-mounted or concealed ducted options
All without a conventional outdoor condenser.
Choose the Right Fully Internal Air Conditioning System
Cool You offers different indoor solutions depending on your property, the finish you want and whether the air conditioning is being retrofitted or installed during a refurbishment.
Wall-Mounted Air Conditioning
Wall-mounted air conditioning is usually the most straightforward option for retrofit installations.
A stylish room unit is mounted high on the wall, while the compact water-cooled condenser is concealed elsewhere inside the property.
Wall-mounted systems can be ideal for:
- Bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Apartments and flats
- Home offices
- Existing homes
- Listed properties
- Installations where disruption needs to be kept to a minimum
Explore our wall-mounted air conditioning units.
View Wall-Mounted Air Conditioning
Concealed Ducted Air Conditioning
For an even more discreet finish, with that chic hotel look, Cool You can install concealed ducted air conditioning.
The room unit is hidden above a ceiling or within a suitable void, leaving only discreet grilles visible.
Ducted systems are particularly suitable for:
- Complete refurbishments
- High-end apartments
- Listed buildings
- Conservation-area properties
- Multi-room projects
- Homes where interior design is a priority
Find out more about ducted air conditioning.
Explore Ducted Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning Without an Outdoor Unit for London Apartments
Installing conventional air conditioning in a London apartment is not always straightforward.
Freeholders, managing agents or building rules may restrict equipment being installed on an external wall, balcony or roof. Some properties simply have nowhere suitable for an outside condenser.
Because Cool You systems use an internal water-cooled condenser, there is no conventional external AC unit.
Our systems can be suitable for:
- New-build apartments
- Mansion blocks
- Converted flats
- High-rise developments
- Penthouses
- Bedrooms
- Open-plan living areas
- Multi-room installations
See our specialist air conditioning solutions for flats and apartments.
Explore Apartment Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning for Listed Buildings Without an External Condenser
Listed buildings present their own challenges.
A conventional outdoor condenser can affect the external appearance of a property and may introduce planning, listed-building or freeholder considerations.
A fully internal system avoids the need for a conventional condenser to be mounted outside the building.
Cool You has extensive experience designing air conditioning solutions for listed properties, mansion blocks and sensitive residential buildings.
Depending on the property, you can choose between:
Wall-Mounted Systems
Often ideal when adding air conditioning to an existing property.
Concealed Ducted Systems
Particularly suited to refurbishment projects where the equipment can be incorporated discreetly into the building. Learn more about air conditioning for listed buildings.
Air conditioning for listed buildings
You can also view our listed-building air conditioning case studies.
Listed-building air conditioning case studies
Air Conditioning in Conservation Areas
Living in a conservation area does not necessarily mean you have to live without air conditioning. A fully internal system can be particularly useful where external alterations are sensitive.
However, requirements vary by property, location, listed status and the work involved.
Where appropriate, you should confirm any planning, listed-building, freeholder or managing-agent requirements before work begins.
For London properties, see our guide to air conditioning in London.
Air conditioning in London
Do You Need Planning Permission for Air Conditioning Without an Outdoor Unit?
The answer depends on the property and the work required. One of the main advantages of a fully internal system is that it does not require a conventional air conditioning condenser to be installed externally.
That can remove one of the most obvious planning and visual issues associated with standard split air conditioning.
However, additional considerations can apply to:
- Listed buildings
- Conservation areas
- Leasehold properties
- Flats and apartments
- Properties subject to freeholder restrictions
- Buildings where internal alterations may also require consent
Cool You can advise on the air conditioning system and installation requirements. Where necessary, property owners should also obtain the appropriate planning, listed-building or landlord advice.
Where Is the Internal Condenser Installed?
The water-cooled condenser is designed to be concealed inside the property.
Depending on the layout, suitable positions can include:
- A hallway cupboard
- Utility cupboard
- Kitchen cupboard
- Beneath a sink
- Laundry or utility area
- Another suitable internal location
During the survey, we look at water supply, drainage, pipe routes, access and the position of the room units before recommending the most suitable location.
How Long Does Installation Take?
Many standard Cool You retrofit installations can be completed within one day.
For a typical installation, our engineers usually arrive at around 8 am.
We install the internal condenser in a suitable concealed position, route the pipework as discreetly as possible, and install and commission the indoor air conditioning unit.
A standard installation will often be completed by around 4–5 pm.
Larger multi-room or ducted projects can take longer depending on the property and the work required.
Why Choose Cool You?
Specialists in Fully Internal Air Conditioning
Cool You specialises in properties where conventional outdoor condensers are difficult, undesirable or not practical.
More Than 15 Years' Experience
We have extensive experience cooling London apartments, flats, listed buildings and high-end homes. Cool You was the first company to bring this type of system to the London market.
In-House F-Gas Engineers
Our systems are installed by our own experienced F-Gas-certified engineers.
Wall-Mounted and Ducted Options
Choose a straightforward wall-mounted system or a discreet concealed ducted solution.
One-Day Installations
Many standard retrofit installations can be completed within a single working day.
Six-Year Parts and Labour Warranty
A six-year parts and labour warranty is available subject to the Cool You maintenance requirements.
Designed for London Properties
Our systems are particularly suited to buildings where the installation of an external condenser is difficult or restricted.
Book Your Home Survey
We're really proud of our service and systems. Don't take our word for it. Have a look at some of our recent reviews.
Fully Internal Air Conditioning for London Homes
Cool You has installed air conditioning in apartments, listed properties and high-end homes throughout London.
Our experience includes properties where:
- External condensers are prohibited
- Freeholder permission is required
- The building is listed
- The property is in a conservation area
- Space for an outdoor condenser is limited
- The client wants the exterior of the property left unchanged
Explore our air conditioning services in London. Or browse our air conditioning ranges.
Air conditioning in London
Air Conditioning Without an Outdoor Unit FAQs
Book a Survey for Air Conditioning Without an Outdoor Unit
If you have been told you can't install air conditioning because an outdoor condenser isn't permitted, speak to Cool You. We specialise in fully internal air conditioning for London properties where conventional external equipment is difficult or unsuitable.
Our surveyor can assess your property, explain the available wall-mounted and ducted options and recommend the most appropriate system. Either fill in the form below, or …
Call us on 0207 043 2275