Will I regret getting a built-in split air conditioning system?

[Notbuiltforheat]

I’m 55, menopausal, and LOATHE hot weather. I can’t think straight, my clothes feel awful, my joints ache and swell, it’s horrible. And word is from my loved ones that I am horrid too when over heating.

I need :
a new boiler
to replace my car fairly soon as it has intergalactic mileage and bits keep going wrong
A new window in the front room as the DG has blown
eldest wants invisible braces
really need a holiday.

We already have portable aircon with a pipe that goes out of the window. I suppose it sort of works but it’s so noisy and leaks water and smells musty.

Will I regret ordering a proper split system, built in?

Would hrt help or have you tried? I’m similar. It’s 19°C today and I have a short sleeve T-shirt on, 5 years ago I’d have had a sweatshirt on also as I was permanently cold! Hrt has prevented me from going thermonuclear throughout the day! That said, I still sit with a blanket on me at night, I’ve just made it a thinner one for summer!

No. You’ll love it. You’ll feel so much better in cool dry air. Enjoy it.

Honestly - and believe me I hear all your issues with the hot weather as I am also
menopausal and completely over it - I would make do with what you have for the rest of this summer.

The intense heat can't last for more than another 4-6 weeks and you'll be more screwed in winter if your boiler or car goes.

Can you put away the money for it until next spring and get it done then? Then at least you know it's there but you have a contingency fund if needed for any of the other stuff.

We’ve been looking into it too and have been told there’s currently no VAT payable but this could change next March, so that might influence your decision

How much do you rely on the car and is the boiler functional? We’ve just booked to have a multi split system installed in October - these hot summers are going to be the norm so it’s worth investing imo, but you won’t get it in time for this summer now so depends how urgent the other things are.

You will not regret it!
we had it put in our bedroom a few years ago and it’s amazing.
you are unlikely to be able to get it for this summer though, when we had ours serviced the chap said there is a massive shortage of parts this summer and there is a wait of a few months on most units and parts.

definitely worth planning in so that you are ready for next summer, ours was money well spent.

You wont regret it but if you can get anyone to do it this side of christmas Id be fairly surprised

It's the best money I have ever spent.

We had it done earlier this summer and went without a summer holiday to pay for it. Best thing ever. Dont regret it at all.

Is it cooling only or does it have a heating option too? Commonly called a reverse cycle air conditioner in my country. So nice on a chilly morning or evening.

If it's a heat pump option you can get grants towards them. I am seriously considering.

Best thing we've ever bought, totally worth it and i wouldn't leave it to long as you currently don't have to pay vat.

Not a heat pump, just a common split system. One in the bedroom and one in the kitchen/diner.

Oh really? Thats good news! Have you got a link or something?

Yes got HRT, supplements etc but TBH I’ve always hated the heat. Hated. With a passion. Bordering on mania.

Its on the government website we've had ours put in this summer and paid no vat but as its becoming more popular this is likely to change in March for next year

The boiler is ancient but functional. And the car is still running and has 9 months MOT. So good on that front.

I will fight anyone over our air con systems! We have one unit in each bedroom - so 3 indoor and 2 outdoor units.

They also heat, so if the boiler packed up then at least the bedrooms would be warm.

It's made this summer bearable. When it got to the heights of heat earlier this summer, once the kids were in bed we'd just go watch TV in bed in the blissful cool!

We have had it- however it's so cold... We have the Sinclair system and at 16 Deg it throws out 3 Deg air after 20min.... We honestly have it on for maybe an hour at a time, however it's a life saver when cooking!!!

As a couple of pps say, many of the systems also heat (they literally just run the other way, moving heat in instead of out) and depending on the size and layout of your house, could either back up, or fully replace the boiler (though to do the latter you would need a system that does hot water too).

Depending on your income/circumstances you ought to be able to get either some (or if you are fairly hard-up, all ) of the cost of a system that includes heating covered by a grant. At some point apparently, low-interest loans are also supposed to be coming in for this sort of thing too, though that's not a huge help this summer.

In the meantime if you mainly want to cool one smallish space, and are also able to shade it etc so it never heats up too madly, I have heard good things about the portble minisplits that are designed for caravans. They are a few £100s I believe (less than invisible braces I suspect!)and might leave you with a bit of change.

Augh Mumsnet why the gif?? 😭😭😭

We’ve got built in aircon in our bedroom and home office…best £3.5k we’ve ever spent. I was actually snuggled up under my duvet last night as it was so cold in our room 🥶 🥶

I don't think you'll regret it. I think in a few years you'll feel smug that you did it now and didn't wait through years of misery, given that this does appear to be the way are climate is headed.

We had a split system put in a few years ago in the upstairs bedrooms - it has been delightful, and so necessary as we're in the south and haven't seen rain in MONTHS or any low temps for a long time. We've all slept fine. We also have solar panels and a battery, so the aircon runs off the solar (stored in the battery) overnight and means it doesn't cost us on energy bills at all. Worth looking into solar panels at the same time to make it all cost effective and (a bit more) eco friendly. Our units also have option to run as a heater, which is great for quickly heating one room if needed.

We are getting another 2 splits downstairs next year hopefully. This weather is here to stay and we're future proofing our house.

Beware that most air con fitters/suppliers are out of stock of units entirely, and most are booking for next spring as its been such a busy time for them.

I’ve just paid a deposit for a system, don’t expect to have it this side of this year but good prep for next summer, I cannot stand how hot our house gets, the heat just doesn’t dissipate. Pleased to see by all those who have it and say money well spent - can I ask if you have it in bedroom is it reasonably quiet?