Installing an Aircon on a Thatched or Canal Home in St Francis Bay

Thatch and aircons can work together

Thatched roofs are excellent natural insulators, which is one reason thatched homes stay pleasant in summer. But on hot, still days and in rooms with big glass doors, even thatched homes heat up, and humidity near the canals can make rooms feel sticky. An aircon helps a lot. The key is installing it in a way that respects the risks thatch brings.

Keep heat and electrics away from the thatch

The outdoor unit produces warm exhaust air and contains electrical components. On a thatched home:

• Never mount the outdoor unit under the eaves or close to the thatch line.
• Prefer ground-mounted positions on a concrete base, or low wall positions well below the roof.
• Make sure the fan does not blow warm air towards thatch, timber poles or reed ceilings.
• Run electrical cables in proper conduit, never through or across the thatch.
• Keep the area around the outdoor unit clear of dry leaves and garden debris.

Indoor units under thatch

Many St Francis homes have exposed thatch or reed ceilings inside. The indoor unit is mounted on a wall, not the ceiling, and pipes should run through the wall to the outside rather than up into the roof space. This keeps the installation neat and avoids disturbing the thatch.

Insurance

Some insurers have specific requirements for electrical work and appliances on thatched homes. It is worth checking your policy and keeping a record of the installation, including photos and your installer's invoice.

Working within estate and HOA rules

Much of St Francis Bay, including the canals and golf estates, falls under home owners associations with architectural guidelines. Common rules include:

• Outdoor units must not be visible from the street, the canal or neighbouring properties
• Units must be screened with walls, timber screens or planting
• No units on roofs or prominent facades
• Pipework must be hidden or painted to match the walls

Rules vary between areas and change over time, so always check the current guidelines with your HOA before buying a unit. Ask your installer to send photos of the proposed indoor and outdoor positions, with a sketch of any screen, so you can get approval in writing.

Hiding the outdoor unit

Good options for a discreet outdoor unit:

• Service yards. Many homes have a walled yard for the geyser, bins or washing line. This is often the best place, as long as there is enough airflow.
• Behind garden walls. A low wall with an open top keeps the unit out of sight while letting it breathe.
• Ventilated screens. Timber slats or louvres painted to match the house hide the unit while letting air through. The screen must not be too close or too solid, or the unit will recirculate its own hot air.
• Under raised decks. Possible on some canal homes, but only with plenty of open space around the unit for airflow and safe access for servicing.

Avoid placing the unit in a fully enclosed space. An outdoor unit that cannot get rid of its hot air will lose efficiency and may overheat.

Damp, salty air on the canals

Homes along the canals and near the beach live with high humidity and salt carried in from the sea. This combination corrodes outdoor units faster than dry air. To protect your investment:

• Choose a unit with a coated condenser coil
• Use stainless or galvanised brackets and fixings
• Place the unit out of direct wind and spray where possible
• Rinse the outdoor coil gently with fresh water every month or two
• Service the unit every six months on waterfront properties

Drainage and white walls

Aircons remove water from the air, and in humid canal homes they remove a lot. That water drains from the indoor unit through a pipe. If the drain discharges onto a white wall, it leaves stains. If it drips onto a deck or walkway, it creates slippery patches and algae. Plan the drain route during installation so it runs to a garden bed, a drain or a gravel area, and make sure it has enough fall to drain freely.

Sizing for open-plan thatched rooms

Thatched homes often have high, open ceilings and large living areas with sliding doors to the garden or canal. These spaces need more cooling capacity than their floor area suggests, because there is more air volume and more glass. Large open-plan areas may need 24,000 BTU or two separate units. Bedrooms usually need 9,000 to 12,000 BTU.

Holiday homes

If your St Francis home is a holiday house, choose an inverter unit with simple controls, protect it against power surges while you are away, and book a service before the December season. A caretaker running the unit for half an hour once a month helps keep it in good condition.