Air Conditioner Installation and Removal and Reinstallation: What to Look Out For

The main points to watch in air conditioner installation and in removal and reinstallation are: positioning the indoor and outdoor units correctly, laying the condensate drain hose with enough fall, making sure the copper pipework and electrical supply are suitable, carrying out a vacuum and a leak test after connection, and fixing the outdoor unit securely. If any of these steps is skipped, even a new unit can run inefficiently, leak water or develop a fault before long. Below we explain each step and the questions to ask when choosing a service.

Pre-installation survey: where should the indoor and outdoor units go?

A good installation starts with a survey before the unit goes on the wall. Seeing the premises lets the technician plan the unit positions, pipe route, drain outlet and electrical connection together.

Indoor unit

• The wall used for installation must be strong enough to bear the unit's weight.
• Enough space must be left between the unit and the ceiling for air intake.
• Cold air should not blow directly onto a bed, desk or seating area.
• There should be nothing in front of it, such as curtains or cupboards, that blocks the airflow, and it should be kept away from heat sources.
• A position should be chosen where the drain hose can reach the outside or a suitable drain with a downward fall.

Outdoor unit

• There must be space around the unit for air to circulate, and its front must not be blocked.
• If possible, choose a spot that is not exposed to direct, prolonged sunshine.
• Choose a position the technician can reach safely for later maintenance and repairs.
• Hot air, noise and dripping water should not disturb neighbours or the pavement.
• In coastal areas, the effect of salty air and sand on the unit should be taken into account.

Safe installation of the outdoor unit and façade safety

The outdoor unit is heavy and, if it is fixed incorrectly, it is a risk both to the unit and to people nearby. Brackets and wall plugs must be chosen to suit the structure of the wall, and the unit must be mounted level and with anti-vibration mounts. For balcony installations it is important that the unit sits on a solid floor or wall rather than the balcony railing; on high façades, the work should be done with appropriate safety equipment and, if necessary, access equipment. Installation should never go ahead at a point that cannot be reached safely on the basis that "it will be fine". On estates and in apartment blocks, it is worth checking before installation whether the management has rules about placing outdoor units on the façade. Not putting awnings, plant pots or heavy objects on top of the unit afterwards is also important for both safety and efficiency.

Checking the pipework and electrical supply

The copper pipes, signal cable and drain hose between the indoor and outdoor units are laid together. For efficiency, it is important that the pipe length and bends stay within the limits stated by the manufacturer, that the pipes are bent without being crushed and that the insulation is complete. Tightening the flare connections to the correct torque, with proper preparation, prevents leaks developing later.

On the electrical side, the circuit the air conditioner will be connected to must have a cable size and fuse suited to the unit's power, and it must be earthed. Running an air conditioner from an extension lead or multi-socket adaptor is not recommended. In older buildings, the adequacy of the circuit must always be checked before installation. An air conditioner running on an inadequate circuit can cause the breaker to trip frequently, cables to overheat and the control board to be damaged.

Drain fall: the most common cause of water leaks

When an air conditioner cools, it condenses moisture from the air, and this water is carried outside by the condensate drain hose. If the hose is not laid with enough fall, bends upwards at some point or is crushed, water starts dripping from the indoor unit into the room. The hose must slope downwards from start to finish, its end must not sit in water and the water outside must be directed to a suitable point. After installation, it should be tested whether water from the indoor unit reaches the outlet. We describe other causes of water leaks in our article on why an air conditioner leaks water.

Vacuum and leak test

Once the copper pipes are connected, air and moisture remain inside them. This air and moisture can mix with the refrigerant, reducing the system's efficiency and, over time, damaging the compressor. This is why, once the connections are complete, the line is evacuated with a vacuum pump and then a leak test is carried out at the connection points. An installation where the vacuum was skipped or kept too short may seem fine for the first few days, but can pave the way for faults later on.

All work involving refrigerant, whether releasing it, pumping it down or topping it up, should be carried out by trained technicians with suitable equipment. Do not attempt these procedures yourself.

Removal and reinstallation, and recommissioning after a move

When moving home or business premises, removing the air conditioner needs as much care as installing it. In a correct removal, the gas is first pumped down into the outdoor unit, then the pipes are disconnected and their ends sealed so that dust and moisture cannot get in. During transport, the outdoor unit must be kept upright and protected from knocks.

At the new address, the air conditioner should be recommissioned with all the steps of the original installation:

1. The suitability of the new position and electrical circuit is checked.
2. If the pipe length has changed, the necessary extra pipework is added.
3. After connection, a vacuum and leak test are carried out.
4. If necessary, the gas quantity is topped up according to the technical values.
5. The unit is switched on and cooling, heating and the condensate drain are checked.

Whether the old pipes and insulation can be reused is decided according to their condition. Planning your appointment with the service around the removal and reinstallation dates before you move prevents the air conditioner from sitting dismantled for longer than necessary.

What should you watch for in the first few days after installation?

After a new installation or a move, it is worth keeping a slightly closer eye on your air conditioner for the first few days. If water drips from the indoor unit into the room, ice appears on the pipes or the indoor unit, or the outdoor unit vibrates noticeably or makes unusual noises, switch the unit off without forcing it and let the service that installed it know. Oil marks around the outdoor unit can also indicate a leak at the connection points. Carry out these checks by eye only; do not try to open the units, tighten the flare nuts or tamper with the pipes. An installation problem spotted early can usually be resolved with a short check and prevents permanent damage to the unit.

What to look for when choosing a service in Didim, Söke, Kuşadası and Aydın City Centre

When looking for a service for installation or removal and reinstallation, focus not just on speed but on how the job will be done. It helps to ask these questions during your conversation:

• Is an on-site survey carried out before installation?
• Are a vacuum and leak test a standard part of the job?
• Is the price given clearly before work begins?
• Is a written guarantee given for labour and the materials used?
• Is a service report showing the work carried out issued when the job is finished?

At Evime Servis, the price is given before work begins, an operating check is carried out after the work, and a written guarantee is given on parts and labour; when the job is finished, the service report we ask you to sign on the phone is emailed to you as a PDF. For information specific to your area, see our Didim, Söke, Kuşadası and Aydın city centre (Efeler) private air conditioning service pages.

For air conditioner installation, removal or removal and reinstallation after a move in Didim, Söke, Kuşadası and Aydın city centre (Efeler), you can submit a service request or contact us by phone or WhatsApp on +90 256 503 48 80. We respond to most requests on the same day.

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Published: 25.10.2026 · Last updated: 25.10.2026