Arrange AC removal as soon as you know you are moving, renovating the room or replacing the unit, ideally well before the date. Have a qualified person remove it. The refrigerant system is sealed and the outdoor unit is often at height, so this is not a job to try yourself. Ask what happens to the power point and the wall afterwards.
When you need an AC taken down
- Moving house. You want to take the AC with you, or leave it with the property.
- Renovating. The wall behind it is being painted, tiled or rebuilt, or the room is being cleared.
- Replacing. A new AC is coming and the old one has to go first.
- No longer needed. You want it sold, donated or scrapped.
In each case, the sooner you decide, the easier it is to fit around the other work.
Why this is not a DIY job
An AC's pipework is a sealed system that holds refrigerant. It should not be cut or loosened casually. The outdoor unit is often fixed on a bracket at height, and an indoor unit can be heavy and awkward when it comes off the wall. The power supply to the point has to be made safe too.
A careful removal protects the unit if you want to reuse it, avoids damage to the wall and keeps everyone safe. We do not give dismantling instructions here, because the safe way is to ask a qualified person to do it.
A sensible timeline
Two to three weeks before
Decide what happens to the AC: refit, sell or scrap. Note the make and age. If you are renovating, tell the painter and carpenter that the AC must be removed first. If you are in an apartment, check what your association requires for work on outer walls and balconies.
About a week before
Book the removal. Say where the indoor and outdoor units are, whether the outdoor unit is on a balcony or an outer wall, and whether there is a clear way to reach it.
On the day
Clear space around the indoor unit and the path to the outdoor unit. Keep the remote and the manual. Ask the person removing the AC to explain what they are doing, and what they will leave behind.
What happens to the wall and the power point
When the AC is gone, there will be a hole through the wall where the pipe ran, mounting holes, and a power point that is no longer needed or is now in the way.
- Ask what will be done about the wall openings so water and insects stay out.
- Ask whether the power point will be made safe or capped, or left ready for the next AC.
- If you are renovating, tell the electrician and painter before the wall is closed.
Our AC uninstallation services page lists making the power point and wiring safe once the unit is gone. For power points, see switch and socket installation.
If you are taking the AC with you
Moving an AC and refitting it is two jobs, not one. At the new place the AC has to be installed again, which means choosing a wall, an outdoor position, a power point, a pipe route and a drain. Plan those before moving day so that the AC is not left in a box for weeks. Read our guide on things to consider before installing an AC.
Ask the person who removes the unit how it should be packed and carried, and whether any parts, such as the bracket, should travel with it.
If you are selling or scrapping it
Keep the manual, the invoice and any warranty card, because they help when selling. If the unit is going for scrap, ask the buyer or the dealer to take it away. Do not dump it, because the sealed system contains refrigerant.
Questions to ask before you book
- Is the removal done by someone equipped to work at height?
- What will be done to the pipe, drain and cable at the wall?
- Will the power point be made safe?
- Is the unit being removed in a way that lets it be reused?
- What do you need from me on the day?
To discuss a removal, contact UK Electricals. We confirm what we can do after hearing the details. This website does not state prices or response times.
Key takeaways
- Book removal before painters, carpenters or movers need the room, not on the same day.
- Do not cut or loosen pipes yourself. The system is sealed and the outdoor unit is often at height.
- Decide beforehand whether the AC is being reused, sold or scrapped.
- Ask what will be done to the power point and the wall openings.
- Moving an AC to a new home means planning a fresh installation.
