Split Air Conditioners in Berlin

For the outdoor unit you may need a building permit depending on the district and building type – particularly for listed buildings or front-facade installation. In Charlottenburg, Mitte and other districts with strict monument protection, a permit is virtually always required. Without one you risk a demolition order. We check the permit situation in advance and support you with the application. The permit typically takes 4–8 weeks and costs €500–1,500 (authority fees). For rental apartments you also need written permission from your landlord.

A single-split system (1 indoor unit, up to 3.5 kW) including installation and piping typically costs €2,000–4,000 – depending on the manufacturer and whether permits are required. Multi-split systems (multiple rooms) cost: 2 indoor units €4,000–6,500, 3 indoor units €6,500–9,000, 4+ indoor units €9,000–14,000+. Piping (insulated refrigerant lines) for 10–20 m costs about €500–1,000 extra. For older buildings with difficult outdoor unit installation or particularly long pipe runs, additional charges apply (up to €1,500). Annual maintenance contracts (inspection and filter cleaning) cost €150–250/year.

Yes – modern inverter air conditioners (air-to-air heat pumps) heat very efficiently down to outdoor temperatures of -15 to -20 °C and can be used as a heating supplement. In heating mode, a split system is 3–4x more efficient than direct electric heating – 1 kWh of electricity generates 3–4 kWh of heat energy. This makes split systems interesting as a heating solution for poorly insulated old buildings that cannot install conventional gas heating. In winter, outdoor temperatures should not drop below -10 °C permanently; below that the heating output becomes uneconomical. In Berlin, heating operation is optimal from October through April.

The indoor unit typically runs at 19–25 dB(A) on low speed – quieter than a refrigerator. On medium speed 28–32 dB(A), on highest speed 35–40 dB(A). This is much quieter than old window air-conditioners (70–80 dB(A)). The outdoor unit produces typically 42–48 dB(A) from about 2 m distance. With sensitive neighbours (e.g. bedroom right next door), the outdoor unit should be at least 1.5 m away from the property line; alternatively we offer sound-dampening outdoor unit brackets (about €200–400) that reduce noise by 3–5 dB.

The fine plastic filters in the indoor unit should be vacuumed or rinsed under lukewarm water every 2–4 weeks during normal operation. A clogged filter reduces cooling capacity by up to 40 %. During summer with high cooling demand, monthly cleaning makes sense; in winter with occasional heating, every 6–8 weeks is sufficient. Replacement filters cost about €20–40 and last several years. In the refrigerant circuit itself, filters don't need replacement – we only flush if contamination is detected (about €400–600).

Technically yes – the outdoor unit is simply wall-mounted and pipes are run through a hole. But legally you need to be careful: your landlord must consent. Many rental contracts prohibit outdoor units for aesthetic and neighbourhood reasons. Some districts (Mitte, Charlottenburg) don't permit outdoor units in residential areas at all. Before purchase you should: (1) ask your landlord in writing, (2) check the building permit situation, (3) potentially coordinate with neighbours. In the worst case you must remove the system yourself and make good any damage (costs €500–1,000). We provide an expert opinion at no charge to help with this.