Air Conditioning for Parisian Apartments: Reversible Solutions Without Outdoor Unit
Paris is beautiful, but Paris is strict. Between the Architects of Historic Buildings (Architectes des Bâtiments de France), draconian condominium regulations, and neighbors who don't tolerate noise well, installing traditional air conditioning (with a large fan on the balcony or facade) is often mission impossible.
Yet, temperatures rise every year. Should we resign ourselves? No. Technology has evolved. At Réseau Tubulure, we regularly install air conditioning systems without outdoor units. It's THE miracle solution for Parisian apartments, listed offices, and interior courtyards.
How Does It Work? (The Magic of the Monoblock)
In traditional AC (Split system), you have an indoor unit (that blows cold air) and an outdoor unit (that releases heat and contains the noisy compressor). In an AC without outdoor unit, everything is integrated into a single designer console, placed inside your apartment (often at the bottom of a wall, like a radiator).
Air Heat Exchange
Instead of connecting the console to an outdoor unit with copper pipes, we drill two core holes of approximately 16 cm in diameter directly into the wall facing outside.
- One hole draws in outside air.
- One hole expels warm air. From the outside, you only see two small discrete grills (which can be painted to match the facade color). Nothing protrudes.
The Alternative: Water-Cooled AC (Caution)
There are also ACs cooled by tap water. We generally discourage these at Réseau Tubulure because they consume enormous amounts of drinking water, which is ecologically and economically questionable, except in extreme cases.
Advantages for Parisians
1. Administrative Ease (Condominium and City Hall)
This is the knockout argument. Since you're not modifying the building's appearance with a large box, and the grills are almost invisible:
- Condominiums accept much more easily (sometimes simple approval from the syndicate council is enough, check your regulations).
- City Hall declaration is often a formality, as the visual impact is zero.
2. Silence
No more neighbor complaints about the "humming" on the balcony. The noise is contained inside your apartment (modern models are very well soundproofed, around 27-30 dB in silent mode, equivalent to a whisper).
3. Reversible Performance
These are true heat pumps. They heat in winter (very economical) and cool in summer.
Learn more about our reversible air conditioning installation services
Are There Disadvantages?
We're transparent, this system has its limits:
- Drilling: You need a wall facing outside (not a corridor). The wall must be drilled by a professional (diamond coring) to avoid cracking the facade.
- Price: The equipment is more technological and compact, so slightly more expensive than an entry-level split system.
- Placement: The unit takes up some wall space (like a large electric radiator).
Installation by Réseau Tubulure: Cleanliness and Precision
Installing this type of equipment in a furnished Haussmannian apartment requires care.
- Feasibility study: We check the wall type (stone, brick, concrete) and ensure no pipes or cables in the drilling zone.
- Clean coring: We use machines with integrated dust extraction. No dust cloud in your living room.
- Grill installation: We install anti-insect and rain-proof grills, painted if necessary to blend with the facade.
- Commissioning: No complex refrigerant handling, but precise adjustment to optimize COP (efficiency).
Conclusion: Cooling Without the Hassle
If you thought air conditioning was forbidden in your home due to heritage or neighbors, air conditioning without an outdoor unit is the answer. It's an elegant, sustainable solution that respects Parisian architecture.
Contact us to find out if your apartment is eligible for this technology.
Réseau Tubulure - Plumbers and proud of it! 🔧
