Getting an aircon installed for the first time raises a lot of questions. What does the process actually involve? How long does it take? Will the installer need to make holes in the wall? What happens after the unit is switched on?
These are all reasonable things to want to know before committing to a purchase. The good news is that a professional installation follows a clear process from start to finish. Once you understand what each stage involves, the whole experience becomes far less uncertain. This guide walks you through every step, from the first contact with Cape Climate through to the moment your new system is up and running.
Step 1: The Site Assessment and Quote
The process starts with a site assessment. Before any unit is recommended or priced, Cape Climate visits your home or business to assess the space. During this visit, the team looks at several factors: The size of the room or rooms you want to condition. Floor area is measured to determine the correct capacity in BTU. A room of 20 square metres has different requirements to a room of 40 square metres.
Ceiling height matters too. Rooms with high ceilings hold more air volume, which affects how the system needs to perform. Sun exposure is assessed. A north or west facing room that receives direct afternoon sun generates more heat than a shaded room of the same size. The unit needs to account for this. Window placement and glazing type affect heat gain. Large single-glazed windows let in significantly more heat than double-glazed or tinted glass.
Insulation is considered. Older Cape Town homes, particularly those built before the 1990s, often have minimal ceiling insulation. This affects how well a room retains conditioned air. The layout of the space determines where the indoor unit can be mounted for the best airflow coverage. It also determines the most practical route for the pipes and cabling that connect the indoor and outdoor units. Once all of this is assessed, Cape Climate provides a written quote. The quote covers the unit itself, all installation materials, labour, and the compliance certificate issued on completion.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Unit
After the site assessment, Cape Climate recommends the most suitable unit for your space. This recommendation is based on the BTU calculation from the assessment, not on brand preference or stock availability. For most residential installations in Cape Town, a midwall split inverter system is the standard choice. These units consist of two parts: an indoor unit mounted on an interior wall, and an outdoor unit mounted on an exterior wall or on a bracket outside the building.
Cape Climate works with Samsung, Daikin, and LG, all of which offer inverter technology across their ranges. Inverter units adjust their output to match the needs of the room rather than running at a fixed speed. This produces steadier temperatures and lower electricity consumption over time. If you have questions about which brand or model suits your situation, the team explains the differences in plain terms so you can make an informed decision.
Step 3: Booking the Installation Date
Once you have accepted the quote, an installation date is booked. Cape Climate schedules most residential installations within a few days to a week, depending on availability. Before installation day, it helps to clear the area around the wall where the indoor unit will be mounted. Move furniture, art, or any wall fittings that are near the planned location. This gives the installation team clear access and prevents any accidental damage to your belongings.
You do not need to be present for the entire installation if that is not practical, but someone should be available to provide access to the property and to sign off on the completed work.
Step 4: What Happens on Installation Day
On the day of installation, the team arrives with everything needed to complete the job. Here is what the process involves from start to finish.
Marking the positions
The first thing the team does is confirm the exact position of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit with you. They check that the chosen wall location gives the best airflow coverage for the room. They also confirm the routing path for the pipes and cabling, which typically runs through the wall and along the exterior of the building to the outdoor unit.
Mounting the indoor unit bracket
A mounting bracket is secured to the wall at the confirmed position. This bracket supports the weight of the indoor unit. It is fixed with screws into the wall, so the installation team will check what the wall is made of before drilling. Brick, plaster, and drywalling each require a different approach.
Making the wall penetration
A hole is drilled through the wall to allow the refrigerant pipes, electrical cabling, and condensate drain pipe to pass through to the outside. The hole is typically around 65mm in diameter. Once the pipes are in place, the gap around the penetration is sealed with waterproof filler or foam to prevent moisture entry and to close off any gaps that could let insects or drafts in.
Positioning the outdoor unit
The outdoor unit is mounted on an exterior wall bracket or on a concrete pad at ground level, depending on what suits the property. The team selects the position based on clearance requirements for airflow, access for future servicing, and any local authority restrictions on placement near boundaries.
For coastal properties in areas like Bloubergstrand, Sea Point, or Hout Bay, the outdoor unit position also considers exposure to salt air. Units mounted in sheltered positions away from direct sea spray last longer.
Connecting the refrigerant pipes and cabling
The refrigerant pipes are connected between the indoor and outdoor units. These pipes carry refrigerant gas, which is what allows the system to move heat from inside the room to the outside. The electrical cabling connects the two units and links them to the dedicated circuit in your distribution board.
All connections are made to manufacturer specifications. Refrigerant pipe joins are tested for leaks before the system is commissioned.
Running the condensate drain
The indoor unit produces condensation as it cools or heats the air. This moisture collects in a drain pan inside the unit and is removed through a drain pipe that exits through the wall penetration. The drain pipe is routed to a suitable discharge point outside, typically to a garden bed or drain channel. Correct drain routing matters. A poorly routed condensate drain can cause water to pool near the building foundation or create damp patches on interior walls over time.
Commissioning the system
Once all connections are in place, the system is commissioned. This involves checking that the refrigerant charge is correct, that the electrical connections are secure, and that the indoor and outdoor units are communicating properly. The system is switched on and tested in both cooling and heating modes. Airflow is checked from the indoor unit. The remote control is set up and tested. The team checks that the condensate drain is clear and flowing correctly. Any issues identified during commissioning are resolved before the team leaves the site.
Step 5: The Compliance Certificate
Every air conditioning installation in South Africa that involves electrical work must be signed off with a Certificate of Compliance. This document confirms that the electrical installation meets the requirements of SANS 10142, the South African national standard for electrical installations.
Cape Climate issues this certificate on completion of every installation. You should keep this document safely. It is required if you sell your property, claim on home insurance for any electrical fault, or if your municipality requests proof of compliant electrical work. Some installers skip this step or charge for it separately. At Cape Climate, it is included in every installation quote.
Step 6: The Handovert
Before the team leaves, they walk you through how to use your new system. This includes: How to switch between cooling, heating, fan, and auto modes on the remote. How to set the target temperature. How to use sleep mode for overnight operation. How to set a timer if you want the unit to switch on before you arrive home. How to remove and clean the filter, which should be done every two to four weeks during regular use.
If you have any questions during the handover, ask them. The team is there to make sure you feel confident using the system from day one.
How Long Does a Residential Installation Take?
Most standard residential installations take between two and four hours. A single room in a straightforward property with easy wall access and a short pipe run is typically completed in two hours.
Installations that take longer usually involve one or more of the following: thicker or double-skin walls that require more time to drill through, longer pipe runs where the outdoor unit is located further from the indoor unit, older properties where the distribution board needs a new dedicated circuit added, or multiple units being installed on the same day. Cape Climate gives you a realistic time estimate when the job is booked.
What to Do After Installation
The system is ready to use immediately after commissioning. A few things to keep in mind during the first weeks of use: Run the system in auto mode initially and let it settle to the room. The first few cycles help the system calibrate to the space.
Set the temperature to a comfortable level rather than an extreme one. For cooling, 22 to 24 degrees is efficient and comfortable for most Cape Town homes. For heating in winter, 20 to 22 degrees works well. Clean the filter after the first two to three weeks of use. New installations can release small amounts of dust from the installation process into the filter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be home for the entire installation? Someone needs to be available to grant access and to sign off at the end, but you do not need to be present for every stage of the work. Cape Climate keeps you informed throughout the process.
Will the installer need to make a hole in my wall? Yes. A single hole is drilled through the wall to route the refrigerant pipes, drain pipe, and cabling between the indoor and outdoor units. The penetration is sealed on completion.
Does the installation include the compliance certificate? Yes. Cape Climate includes the Certificate of Compliance in every installation quote. There is no separate charge for it.
Can the aircon be installed in a rental property? This depends on your lease agreement and your landlord’s consent. The installation involves drilling through a wall, which is typically classified as a structural alteration. Most landlords require written consent before this type of work proceeds. Cape Climate can assist with documentation if needed.
How soon can I use the aircon after installation? The system is commissioned and tested on installation day. You can use it immediately after the handover.
What if something is not working correctly after installation? Contact Cape Climate directly. All installations are backed by a workmanship guarantee. Any issue related to the installation itself is resolved at no additional cost.
Ready to Get Your Aircon Installed?
Cape Climate handles the full installation process across Cape Town and the surrounding areas. From the initial site assessment through to commissioning and handover, every step is managed professionally. Contact Cape Climate to arrange your site assessment and quote. Bring your room dimensions if you have them, and the team will do the rest.
Cape Climate is a Cape Town based air conditioning and solar installation company. We supply and install Samsung, Daikin, and LG systems for residential and commercial clients across the Cape Peninsula.
