Monobloc Air Conditioning - All in one units are offering a perfect solution for air conditioning in homes where external units can't be installed, or are not wanted. If you've found a cheaper alternative, make sure you dont just compare cost but application too becasue the refrigerant charge value dictates the minimum size of the room and height of installation.
Monobloc Air Conditioning without an outdoor unit.
Air conditioning has come a long way in the last few years. One of the biggest changes has been a shift towards more environmentally friendly refrigerants and one of the most common is propane, often labelled as R290 on specification sheets. Propane is effective, efficient and used in millions of air condiotning and heat pump systems worldwide.
If the word “propane” makes you think twice, that's a completely fair reaction and a good sign that you're the kind of homeowner who checks before they buy. So let's talk through what it actually means, and why it's nothing to worry about as long as the unit is installed correctly.
Monobloc units use R290 and ne of the main benefits is that it does not reuqire a specialist F-Gas registered installer, with everything sealed inside a single unit.
So, the refrigerant itself isn't the issue - what matters is how the unit around it has been engineered and how it has been installed.
What makes it safe?
Propane is mildly flammable, and it's slightly heavier than air. In the unlikely event of a leak, rather than dispersing upward and away, it can settle near the floor.
The requirements are set out in an international safety standard IEC 60335-2-40, and any reputable product will be designed and their installation instructions will show clearly the refrigerant charge and the safe storage and installation options.
Important factors:
- The right room size for the amount of refrigerant in the unit, so any leak, however unlikely, simply can't build up to a level that matters
- The right installation height, keeping the unit positioned appropriately so it works safely with how propane behaves
- Clear guidance for the installer, so nothing is left to guesswork
These aren't optional extras - these are specific safety requirements.
Why do The Air Shop only stock certain units?
Here's the honest bit: not every air conditioning unit on the market treats this with equal care.
Some of the cheaper units often listed at roughly half the price of established brands, carry a higher refrigerant charge.
That, in itself, isn't a problem, as plenty of units safely use that amount of refrigerant,
BUT a refrigerant charge above 152g is enough to trigger those extra safety requirements around room size and mounting height.
The issue is that some of these cheaper units come with unclear or incomplete instructions, The safety requirements can be there technically there in the small print, but they're not communicated clearly enough for an installer to easily get right. If a unit ends up fitted in too small a room, or mounted lower than it should be, that safety margin the thing that makes propane units so safe in the first place quietly disappears.
That's not a reason to avoid propane AC units - it's a reason to be a little selective about which one, and where you fit it.
What do you need to look at?
The R290 Refigrant Charge - it's usually in g (grams)
Monobloc AC units carrying an EQUAL TO or LESS THAN 152g meaning they can be installed in any size room at any height safely.
Other typical products, often cheaper ,carry a refrigerant charge around 290g, which is almost double, restricing room size and installation height parameters for installation. These are not always clear, and price can be driving factor in the decision making process, as they appear on face value to offer the same cooling KW and BTU power, similar dimensions, noise levels and controls for homeowners.
Our approach
We stock the Olimpia Splendid range because their units are designed and documented properly from the outset with clear, correct guidance on room size, installation height, and safe use.
Compare prices BUT also compare application requirements
If you're ever comparing quotes and one seems significantly cheaper, it's worth asking a simple question: does this come with clear guidance on room size and mounting height for its refrigerant charge? If the answer's unclear, that's worth knowing before you buy.
If you'd like to talk through which unit is right for your space, get in touch with our team. We're always happy to explain the detail without the jargon.
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