A large part of Plzeň lives in panel blocks – on Slovanech, Borech and Doubravka there are entire estates from the 1980s where heating is managed centrally and air conditioning has only become common in recent years. Installing air conditioning in a panel block is technically just as manageable as in a detached house, but one additional matter must be resolved: consent for work on the building's common areas.
Why obtain prior consent from the building's owners' association or housing cooperative
The outdoor unit of the air conditioner is mounted on the façade, on a balcony or loggia railing – that is, on a common part of the building owned by all owners, not just the flat where you want the air conditioning. Therefore, the building's owners' association or housing cooperative usually reserves the right to approve such an intervention, whether it concerns the appearance of the façade, the location of the unit, or the condensate drainage route. Before agreeing on the installation date, we recommend having the consent of the SVJ board or the building manager in hand – this saves time and avoids potential misunderstandings with neighbours. On request, we will issue a document confirming our F-gas certification, which the SVJ board often requires as a condition for approval.
What to prepare for negotiations with the building's owners' association board
Negotiations with the SVJ committee or the cooperative chairman usually proceed faster when you have specific documentation to hand, not just a general idea. We recommend having the following prepared:
- A photo of the façade or balcony showing the proposed location for the outdoor unit.
- Technical data sheet of the unit – dimensions, weight and noise level stated by the manufacturer.
- Information on the condensate drainage route so that the building's owners' association knows where it will run and where the water will flow.
- Certificate of F-gas certification for the technician carrying out the installation.
At older housing estates such as Slovanech or Borech, where more tenants have had air conditioning for some time, the building's owners' association committee is accustomed to similar requests and approval is granted quickly. For smaller buildings or where this is the first air conditioner in the house, expect discussions on placement to take longer – typically due to concerns about the façade appearance or noise affecting neighbouring flats.
Where to install air conditioning in a block of flats
The most common variants we encounter in Plzeň's apartment blocks:
- Facade below the window - a classic solution for flats without a balcony, with the outdoor unit mounted on a bracket.
- Balcony or loggia railing - often more aesthetically pleasing and easier to access for future servicing.
- Balcony floor - The unit stands on rubber feet, suitable for more spacious balconies.
- Roof or technical room of the house - on upper floors or when the building's owners' association does not want units visible on the façade from the street.
The indoor unit is then positioned according to the apartment layout – typically above the door or in the corner of the living room or bedroom, away from direct draughts onto the bed or sofa. If the apartment has a glazed balcony, we also consider the placement of the outdoor unit to ensure the penetration through the glazing remains airtight and prevents thermal bridges or rainwater ingress.
Core drilling – how wall penetration is carried out
The connecting piping between the outdoor and indoor units runs through the external wall via a single penetration, created using core drilling. A drill with a diamond crown is used to bore a circular hole of precise diameter, usually 5-6 cm. In panel buildings, the wall is thicker and denser than in new brick construction, so slightly longer drilling time and more dust are expected; however, we extract the dust directly during work to leave no cleaning required in the flat. After the piping is installed, the hole is sealed to prevent draughts and water ingress.
Service and refrigerant in a residential building
Working with R32 refrigerant, used in modern units, requires the technician to hold F-gas certification – this applies equally in apartment blocks and detached houses. In an apartment building, we also recommend scheduling service at a time that does not disturb neighbours, as the outdoor unit runs at full capacity for a while during cleaning. It is advisable to keep the certification document for future sale or rental of the flat, since new owners commonly ask for it. If you need to find out the exact installation price for your flat, please see our article on price of air conditioning installation in Plzeň, where we detail all the factors that influence the price.